Areas Served
Have you sustained injuries while on the job in Latrobe? If so, contact the workplace injury attorneys at Stine & Associates, P.C. Workplace injuries are usually covered under workers’ compensation in Pennsylvania. However, if someone other than your employer was responsible for your injuries, you may be entitled to file a personal injury claim with their insurer or a lawsuit against the at-fault party. We can assess your situation and help you identify additional sources of financial compensation, including such third-party lawsuits or Social Security disability benefits.
Contact our offices today for a free consultation with a workplace injury attorney serving Latrobe.
Industries Where Workplace Injuries Are More Common
According to data from the National Safety Council, heavy industries, like agriculture, construction, and transportation/warehousing, have the highest rates of workplace injuries and deaths. These higher rates are due to the physically demanding aspects of the work and dangerous workplace conditions, like the presence of heavy machinery. However, injuries can happen in virtually any workplace.
- Falls are the single most common cause of death and injury in the construction sector. Construction workers are also at risk of collisions with fixed objects and equipment malfunctions.
- Warehouse workers can face overexertion injuries, muscle strains, impacts from falling objects/warehouse merchandise, and equipment injuries (e.g., forklift injuries).
- Transportation workers are at risk of injuries from motor vehicle collisions and related accidents.
- Manufacturing employees can sustain injuries from dangerous machinery, falls, and exposure to hazardous substances.
- Agricultural and farm workers are at risk of heat exhaustion, overexertion injuries, and injuries from dangerous machinery like tractors or threshers.
- Healthcare workers face exposure to dangerous pathogens in the workplace that can cause acute and chronic illnesses.
- Office work. Office workers and those who work at a desk and computer all day can develop repetitive motion strain injuries, like carpal tunnel syndrome.
Common Workplace Injuries in Latrobe
A workplace injury is any injury that occurs while you are performing your job duties. Work injuries can vary significantly and include:
- Muscle and tendon strains
- Joint sprains
- Bruising and soft-tissue injury
- Repetitive strain injuries (e.g., carpal tunnel syndrome)
- Cuts and lacerations
- Head injuries and concussions
- Neck and shoulder injuries
- Falling injuries
- Fractures and broken bones
- Herniated disc and fractured vertebrae
- Spinal cord injuries
- Blunt-force trauma from impacts
- Thermal or chemical burns
- Internal injuries and organ damage
- Amputated fingers, toes, or limbs
- Crushing injuries
- Electrocution
- Illnesses related to exposure to chemicals and substances
Potential Sources of Compensation After a Workplace Injury
If you sustain injuries while at work in Latrobe, there are three main options for recovering financial compensation: Workers’ compensation, third-party personal injury lawsuits, and Social Security disability benefits.
Workers’ Compensation
Most businesses in Pennsylvania must carry workers’ compensation to pay for injuries employees sustain while on the job. Workers’ compensation coverage starts on the first day of your employment and lasts as long as you remain employed. Workers’ compensation will pay the following benefits after a workplace injury:
- The cost of reasonable treatment and procedures to treat your injuries, including emergency care, surgery, prescriptions, and rehabilitative services
- A portion of lost work income, typically up to two-thirds of your weekly average earnings
- Total disability benefits for permanent impairments
- Funeral and burial costs after fatal injury
Workers’ compensation is no-fault coverage, so you can receive benefits regardless of who caused your injuries. However, workers’ compensation will not pay for pain and suffering.
Third-Party Lawsuit
In Pennsylvania, you typically cannot sue your employer for workplace injuries if they provide workers’ compensation insurance. The trade-off for no-fault coverage is that you waive your right to file a lawsuit against your employer if you get hurt on the job.
However, you can file a third-party lawsuit against entities that are not your employer if they caused your injuries. For instance, if you sustained injuries due to defective machinery or equipment, you could file a product liability lawsuit against the manufacturer. You may also be able to file a lawsuit against your employer if they intentionally harmed you or fail to carry workers’ compensation insurance.
The benefit of a personal injury lawsuit is that you can recover compensation for pain and suffering as well as compensation for financial losses. You can pursue a third-party lawsuit in addition to a workers’ compensation claim. However, if you receive a third-party settlement, you may have to pay back the insurance company for the workers’ compensation benefits you already received.
Social Security Disability Benefits
Another option for injured workers is Social Security disability (SSD) benefits through the Social Security Administration (SSA). SSD benefits are paid for through employee and employer payroll taxes and depend on your work history.
To be eligible for SSD benefits, you must have a recognized disability that keeps you from working for at least a year. You also must have sufficient work credits, which you gain by working and paying Social Security taxes. You need at least 40 work credits, 20 of which you earned over the past ten years.
SSD pays a monthly benefit while you are disabled. Your monthly benefit amount depends on your earnings over the years, and SSA uses a formula to determine your benefit. Receiving a personal injury settlement will have no bearing on SSD payments, but if you receive SSDI, your workers’ compensation payments could be reduced.
How Long Do I Have to File a Workplace Injury Claim?
In Latrobe and elsewhere in Pennsylvania, you should notify your employer of your injury within 21 days. You won’t be eligible for benefits until you notify them. The longest you can wait to notify your employer about your work injury is 120 days. Once your employer contacts their provider, their insurance company has 21 days to approve or deny workers’ comp benefits. If the insurance company denies your benefits, you have three years from the injury date to file a Claim Petition with the Workers’ Compensation Office of Adjudication.
If you plan to file a third-party lawsuit, you have two years from the injury date to file. If you have hidden injuries, this two-year counter is paused until the day you discover your injuries. There is no time limit for applying for SSD benefits, but you should still start as early as possible to reduce the chances of an application denial.
In all cases, Stine & Associates, P.C., can pursue your claim or lawsuit on your behalf. We can manage your case to meet all filing deadlines and reduce the chance of unnecessary payment delays and interruptions.
Why Choose Stine & Associates, P.C., for Your Workplace Injury Claim
Founding attorney Cindy Stine has over 30 years of experience helping injury victims in Latrobe and elsewhere in Westmoreland and Allegheny Counties recover money for their losses. Since founding Stine & Associates, P.C., in 2007, she has dedicated much of her practice to helping injured workers secure the benefits they need to support themselves and their families.
As a small, locally owned firm, we intentionally keep our caseloads small to give full care and attention to each client. The injured and disabled need an advocate, and we can rise to the occasion. When you work with us, you can expect compassionate, empathetic, and effective legal counsel aimed at protecting your rights and well-being.
Contact our offices online or call today to speak to a workplace injury attorney serving Latrobe. Consultations are free, and we don’t charge an attorney fee unless we win your case, so there is no risk in reaching out.