Workplace Injuries in Pennsylvania: You Got Hurt On the Job, What Now?

For a lot of Pennsylvania residents, work can involve exposure to hazardous conditions. No matter which high-risk industry you may work in, accidents at the job site can lead to severe injuries and loss of income. Knowing your rights and options after a hazardous experience in the workplace is important for protecting your future and getting compensated for your experience. 

Today, we’re going to be breaking down what Pennsylvania employees should know about workplace injuries and how workers’ compensation differs depending on your employer. The attorneys at Sutton & Lovette are ready to aid you in your recovery journey, ensuring that you are represented legally and are provided with what you deserve.

What Counts as a Workplace Injury?

A workplace injury is any injury or illness that occurs because of your job duties or work environment. These incidents can happen in any industry and range from minor to life‑altering. Some common workplace injuries include:

• Repetitive Strain: conditions such as carpal tunnel that are caused by repeated motion

• Falls: common in construction jobs or those that involve scaffolding or elevated platforms

• Exposure to Harmful Substances: Illnesses or death caused by chemical exposure, inhalation of toxic fumes, or a generally unsafe environment

• Equipment: Injuries that involve heavy machinery, power tools, or equipment malfunctions

• Struck-By Incidents: caused by any falling object or some type of moving equipment

Regardless of the type of injury you’re facing, most workers share the same question: What are my rights if I get hurt on the job?

What is Covered by Worker’ Comp?

Workers’ compensation in PA offers several benefits to employees with a work-related injury or illness, including:

• Health care expenses like surgery, doctor visits, medicine, medical equipment and lab tests.

• Ongoing care expenses for treatments like physical therapy or rehabilitation services.

• Partial disability payments for employees that are unable to work at full capacity.

• Death benefits for an employee’s family if they die from a work-related injury or illness within 300 weeks of the injury.

• Total disability payments for employees who are unable to return to work at all.

• Permanent injury payments, which may compensate for loss of a body part.

Worker’s Rights Under PA Workers’ Comp Laws

The law in Pennsylvania states that employers provide compensation insurance as a form of protection for employees who suffer injuries at work or are plagued with work-related illness. The system is designed to make sure workers receive financial compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and any other costs without needing to prove the employer was at fault in court. 

In addition to covering medical care for work-related injuries or illnesses, Pennsylvania’s Department of Labor and Industry states that workers’ comp coverage must also help to replace lost income if you miss work to recover from the injury. 

Although most employers are mandated by law to have workers’ comp insurance, not all of them are. Some employers that are not required to carry it include:

• Sole proprietors without employees

• Seasonal agricultural employers

• Some domestic employers

• Religious organizations

If you are employed by someone in any of these categories, you may not fall under the qualifications to receive workers’ comp benefits. In these situations, be sure to speak with a personal injury attorney at Sutton & Lovette today to  explore some alternative legal options. 

Third Party Claims

If someone other than your employer was a part of causing your injury, this is where a third party claim comes in. A third-party claim is a lawsuit against a negligent party separated from your workplace, not your employer or co-worker. What sets third-party claims apart from workers’ comp is what you are allowed to pursue. With third-parties, you can go after damages fo paing and suffering and full wage loss.

For example, A warehouse employee in Pennsylvania suffers a serious shoulder injury after falling from a loading dock. The fall happened because the safety harness they were required to wear failed mid‑use. The employer purchased the harnesses from an outside safety‑equipment supplier. While workers’ compensation covers the employee’s medical treatment and partial wage loss, an investigation shows the harness had a manufacturing defect and had been part of a nationwide recall. Because the defective gear was supplied by a third‑party vendor and not the employer, the injured worker can file a third‑party claim against the manufacturer or distributor for additional damages, including pain and suffering and full replacement of lost wages.

Challenges Employees May Face During Workplace Injury Disputes

While workers’ comp insurance is relatively clear and thorough in providing employees with compensation for work-related injuries, there are still some road blocks employees may face. These may include:

• Employer Disputes: claims from an employer that the injury didn’t happen at work

• Denied Claims: Insurers may reject claims due to paperwork errors or lack of documentation

• Complex Liability: third‑party cases often require expert investigation

An experienced workplace injury attorney at Sutton & Lovette can help overcome these obstacles and maximize your compensation.

Injured at Work? Get the Compensation You Deserve

If you’ve been hurt on the job, you shouldn’t have to navigate the legal process alone. The attorneys at Sutton & Lovette Law Offices represent injured workers throughout Cambria County and the rest of Pennsylvania.
Call (814) 471-7702  or email suttonandlovette@gmail.com today to get in contact with us and get a FREE consultation. Whether you need help with worker’ comp, a third party claim, or something else entirely, our team is ready to fight for the compensation that you are owed.