Archive for the ‘Workplace Injuries’ Category

Nobody heads off to work expecting to sustain energy, but workplace injuries happen every day, and they can be life-altering. Leg injuries are extremely common in all types of work environments and are often the result of slipping or tripping, falling from a height, walking into objects, machinery entanglements, and vehicle crashes. The severity of these injuries can vary and can range from bumps and bruises to sprains, from broken bones or torn ligaments to amputations. Whether you have injured your leg, knee, or ankle in the workplace, if your condition requires medical attention or time away from work then you are entitled to seek and receive benefits from workers’ compensation. The Lancaster PA law firm of Vanasse Law LLC has extensive experience in successfully representing those who have been hurt on the job, and we can help you as well.

Workplace leg injuries can happen to anybody. Though many assume that those who work in construction, in factory and manufacturing settings, or in other dangerous environments are the most likely to get hurt, the truth is that on-the-job accidents happen in all types of settings and to all types of employees. Workers’ compensation is there to provide those who have been injured with a straightforward way to receive compensation for the damage that they have suffered without having to resort to legal action against their employer. It is a no-fault system that attributes no blame: Instead, it is meant to provide a way for injured employees to receive compensation for their medical expenses, temporary or permanent disability payments, and vocational rehabilitation benefits if needed. Unfortunately, many employers and their insurance companies put roadblocks in the way of those seeking these benefits, and that’s where an experienced workers’ compensation attorney can help.

At Vanasse Law LLC , when you seek our help in getting workers’ compensation for your leg, knee, or ankle injury, we do not file a lawsuit against your employer. We assist you in making sure that your claim is well documented and filed correctly and represent you in front of the Pennsylvania workers’ compensation judge, as well as the Appeal Board if necessary.  We can also help you to identify whether any third party may have played a role in your injury, and help you in pursuing legal action against those responsible.

When you suffer an injury to your leg, knee, or ankle, it has a direct impact on many different and important aspects of your life. It affects your ability to move as well as to function, and may directly impact your ability to continue to do your job. Additionally, a leg injury can impact the quality and enjoyment of your life. If you have suffered this type of injury on the job, the first thing you need to do is to focus on getting better and having the compensation that you need to pay for your bills, and ample time to heal is important. At Vanasse Law LLC, we work hard to make sure that your rights are protected and that you have the opportunity to heal. Contact us today to see how we can help.

Nobody starts their day anticipating that they are going to get injured on the job, and the truth is that when an accident, illness, or injury does occur, few people know exactly what they are supposed to do. Though the most obvious answer is that you should seek medical attention as quickly as possible – especially in an emergency – when it comes to doing things the right way in order to maximize your chances of receiving the workers’ compensation benefits that you deserve, there’s a lot that you need to know. At Vanasse Law, we are experienced workers’ compensation attorneys who help injured employees through the complex process of applying for and securing their workers’ compensation benefits. Few people know what the most important steps are that need to be followed, but we can help. Call us today if you have been injured on the job.

Though workers’ compensation is a benefit that is provided to most workers in the state of Pennsylvania, not all who are injured on the job end up receiving the compensation that they deserve. In order to give yourself the best chance of success in your pursuit of workers’ compensation benefits, here are the most important steps that you need to follow:

• Begin by reporting your accident, injury, or illness. The state of Pennsylvania allows up to 120 days to tell your boss about what happened or your diagnosis, but it is always better to let them know sooner rather than later. If you have only just learned about your illness, you have 120 days from the date of diagnosis. Failure to meet the 120-day requirement can result in your employer denying your claim.
• After you have reported your injury, check to see whether your employer has posted a list of approved physicians. If so, then you are required to see one of those physicians for the first 90 days after your injury. Failure to do so can mean that your employer doesn’t have to pay your first 90 days’ worth of bills. If no doctor is named, then you can see your own.
• Your employer is required to file a report to their insurance company and file it with the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation. Then their insurer has 21 days to approve or deny your claim and decide whether to pay for your treatment and any wages that you’ve lost.
• If your employer agrees that your injury is work-related then you’ll get a notice that you’re going to be paid. This may be a notification of temporary payment. Your employer may also deny your claim, in which case you need to file a claim petition. The deadline to do this is three years after the date of the injury.

Having an experienced Pennsylvania workers’ compensation attorney walk you through these steps as well as the claims process is the first step to making sure that you have the best possible chance of having your claim approved. Call Vanasse Law today to learn more about the many ways that we can help.

Learn more about Job Injuries HERE.

Workers’ compensation is designed to provide benefits for employees who are either injured on the job or who become sick on the job. There is no requirement that some kind of accident or catalyst precedes the injury, and there is no requirement to prove negligence. Though some claims, such as those caused by a repetitive physical motion, are considered to be fairly straightforward, other injuries – including heart attacks –  may be more difficult to prove. Though some states place a high burden of proof on heart attack workers’ compensation claims, the state of Pennsylvania has established straightforward criteria for whether an employee whose heart attack occurred on the job is eligible for workers’ compensation. The attorneys at Vanasse Law have extensive knowledge of Pennsylvania law and how best to prepare a workers’ compensation claim for a work-related heart attack. Contact us today to discuss your case.

There are many circumstances that can lead to a heart attack on the job. Some work puts employees under great physical stress, while others cause mental and emotional stress. A worker can appear to be healthy and then suffer a heart attack after receiving news that they have been poorly reviewed or that they did not receive a promotion that they had worked towards and counted on. Though there was a time that workers were required to show that a work-related heart attack was the result of their job requiring a significant level of physical exertion, things have changed. The Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court has indicated that when a purely physical injury occurs following a stressful situation or interaction at work, it can qualify as a work-related injury. What is required is that the worker provides proof that they suffered the injury, as well as that it occurred in relation to and during the course of their work. If, in submitting the claim, the employee provides a medical opinion that indicates that the heart attack is a result of work-related stress — whether physical, mental, or emotional — then that is proof enough to be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits.

When an employee suffers a heart attack on the job, they are faced with enormous medical bills and the loss of wages necessitated by their treatment and recovery. Under the best of circumstances, they will require rehabilitation, and under the worst their heart attack may result in death, leaving their family without their companionship and financial support. Though those who have been impacted by a workplace heart attack may be hesitant about filing a workers’ compensation claim indicating that the attack was work-related, the Lancaster workers’ compensation law firm of Vanasse Law has the experience and knowledge that you need to navigate the challenges ahead and to help you get the benefits that you need and deserve. Call us today to set up an appointment to discuss your case. We are here to help.

Learn more about what you can do about Heart Attacks on the Job HERE.

No matter what kind of environment you work in, injuries can occur. Workplace accidents are an all too common occurrence, and depending upon the circumstances there may be perfectly good reasons for not immediately reporting the incident to your supervisor. But reporting a workplace accident is an essential part of the process of filing a successful workers’ compensation claim, and failure to do so may jeopardize your eligibility to receive the benefits that you need and deserve. The Lancaster law firm of Vanasse Law is dedicated to helping those injured in workplace accidents to navigate the claims and appeals process. For experienced legal help, call us today to set up a convenient appointment.

There are a number of reasons why an employee might not report a workplace accident right away. Many decide not to mention an accident initially because they hope that the injury won’t impede their ability to work – they hope that after a few hours of rest and perhaps a couple of anti-inflammatories, they’ll quickly recover. If the accident was their own fault they may not even realize that they are entitled to workers’ compensation, as many don’t know that this essential benefit is available regardless of who is to blame for the injury. In some cases, an accident is so severe immediately after it happens that there is no time to file an official report. Whatever the reason, those who don’t report workplace accidents and then find themselves in need of compensation for medical expenses or lost wages may learn that their failure to meet this basic requirement results in a much more arduous road to compensation, and perhaps even to failure.

According to the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry, injured employees are supposed to report the incident in which they were injured immediately. In the best case, accidents are supposed to be reported to the employer within 21 days, but the rules permit employees up to 120 days delay in reporting the accident to their employer in certain circumstances. Failure to do so puts the injured worker at risk of being denied benefits that they would otherwise have received. Reports of accidents should include all of the essential information, including the date and how it happened. Upon receipt of the accident report, the employer is then required to file a report with the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation.

Once an employee completes reporting their workplace accident, the prescribed protocol generally includes the employer providing them with a list of approved physicians who have been specifically designated to treat workplace injuries. These doctors are familiar with the workers’ compensation process, and provide appropriate treatment for a minimum of 90 days following the first meeting with the employee. Later, employers are able to request that employees seek help from specific physicians that they have selected.

If you have questions about the workers’ compensation process or need help in reporting a workplace accident, the attorneys of Vanasse Law can help. We are committed to helping injured employees get the compensation that they deserve, and we’ll work hard on your behalf.

Learn More About Reporting Accidents In The Workplace HERE.