Allentown Workers' Compensation Attorney

Snyder & Wiles, PC · Fogelsville, Pennsylvania
610-391-9500 · E-Mail

Like most states, Pennsylvania has a workers' compensation system. Under the workers' compensation system, employees who suffer a workplace injury can make a work comp claim and receive workers' compensation benefits without having to prove that their employer was at all responsible for causing the accident.

That is the main benefit of the workers' compensation system. Claims are straightforward to make and are payable relatively quickly. So long as you were injured in "the course and scope of your employment," the workers' compensation system will provide compensation.

Are there disadvantages to the workers' compensation system? Can an injured worker file a lawsuit after a workplace accident?

The answers to those questions depend heavily on the circumstances of the accident. For that reason, the personal injury lawyers of Snyder & Wiles, PC, encourage anyone injured in a workplace accident to seek legal advice.

Are You Getting Full Compensation for Your Injuries, Lost Wages and Pain and Suffering?

The major disadvantages to the workers' compensation system are:

• Workers' compensation never pays money for pain and suffering
• Workers' compensation only pays a percentage of wages lost due to time off work
• Workers' compensation has a pre-determined compensation amount set for most injuries — even if your expenses are higher, you are unlikely to get additional compensation

When Can You Get Access to Other Sources of Compensation?

Contrary to popular opinion, workers' compensation may not be your only available source of reimbursement after a workplace accident. If someone else — a person or a company — besides your employer was partly responsible for the accident, then you may be able to file a separate personal injury claim. These types of claims are known as third-party claims.

The advantage of filing a personal injury claim after a workplace accident is that the plaintiff has access to additional compensation for pain and suffering and actual medical expenses both past and future. The primary disadvantages of workplace accident lawsuits is that — unlike a workers' compensation claim — the worker must prove that another person or company was negligent in some way that helped cause the accident. This can require opinions from experts in fields such as engineering, product design and medical care. Personal injury lawsuits generally take longer to resolve than workers' compensation claims do.

Get a Complimentary Case Evaluation After a Workplace Accident

You have the right to independent legal advice after a workplace accident. The experienced personal injury attorneys of Snyder & Wiles, PC will review your circumstances and give you honest and practical advice about your legal options.

Contact our Fogelsville, Pennsylvania office today to make an appointment.