Broken Bone Workers’ Compensation Attorneys in Pennsylvania

In 2023, more than 5,800 people suffered fractures on the job in Pennsylvania. This common injury can occur on construction sites and in warehouses, as well as other places where workers might not expect to sustain traumatic injuries, such as offices and hospitals. If you’ve been injured on the job and broken or fractured a bone, you may be eligible to collect workers’ compensation benefits, which can cover medical bills and part of your lost wages while you’re unable to work. This guide will help you understand the benefits available and how to claim them.

The Most Common Broken or Fractured Bone Injuries in Pennsylvania

Employees experience broken and fractured bones across a range of industries and professions. The most common on-the-job accidents leading to bone injuries include:

Vehicle crashes: Transportation drivers and delivery workers who get into accidents may suffer broken bones. You may also be driving to see a client or pick something up for your boss.

Slips and falls: One of the most common types of work-related accidents, slips and falls can happen in any profession, and they’re more likely to result in breaks if they happen from an elevation.

Impacts involving equipment: Those in the construction and other heavy machinery professions work next to equipmentweighing several tons. If a machine malfunctions or the operator makes a mistake, you could break a bone if you’re standing nearby.

Impacts involving falling objects: Construction sites often see objects falling from a high elevation. Even a small item dropped from a tall height can lead to a broken bone for someone below.

These industries see the highest number of workplace fractures:

Trade and transportation

Education and health services

Manufacturing

Construction

The good news is Pennsylvania law may offer compensation for a broken toe at work, a crushed femur suffered during an on-the-job delivery run or anything in between.

What Workers’ Comp Benefits Are Available for Broken Bones in Pennsylvania?

The Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Act provides these benefits relevant to broken or fractured bones:

Wage-loss benefits: You could receive up to two-thirds of your average weekly wages in compensation while you’re unable to work.

Medical care: Workers‘ compensation pays for reasonable and necessary health care expenses related to your fractured or broken bone. 

Other benefits: Specific benefits are available should a broken bone lead to permanent loss of a worker’s fingers, toes or limbs, permanent disfigurement of their face, head or neck, or to their death. 

Can You Get a Workers’ Comp Settlement for a Broken Bone?

You can receive a workers’ compensation settlement when you break a bone, but consult a lawyer before signing any agreement your employer offers. Many companies try to settle workers’ compensation claims for far less than they’re worth, assuming people will not want to go through the hassle of a drawn-out claims process. Perhaps your employer has offered you a workers’ comp settlement for a fractured foot or other bone injury, and you’re wondering whether to accept, decline or negotiate. A workers’ comp attorney can help you get the payout you deserve, whether through a formal compensation claim or a settlement.

How to File Broken Bone Compensation Claims in Pennsylvania 

If you think you have a broken bone, you should seek emergency assistance right away. Once you’ve received treatment, inform your employer about the injury as soon as possible by providing a written notification or filling out an accident report. You need to tell your employer about your injury within 120 days to be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits, or within 21 days to receive benefits from the date of the injury. You may be directed to get an exam by a physician approved by your employer through their insurance company. 

Your employer should then file a First Report of Injury (FROI) form right away. If they fail to do so, you have three years to file for compensation yourself by submitting a claim petition to the Workers’ Compensation Bureau of the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry. 

What if Your Broken Bone Workers’ Comp Claim Is Denied?

If your initial workers’ compensation claim is unsuccessful, you can appeal to the Workers’ Compensation Appeal Board (WCAB) within 20 days of receiving the decision. Should the WCAB deny your appeal, you have another 30 days to appeal their decision to the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania. You can appeal the Commonwealth Court’s decision to the state Supreme Court within another 30 days if necessary. 

If you want to appeal a workers’ comp decision, an attorney can help you understand and address any reasons for the denial and argue your case before a judge if it goes to a hearing. 

How Can a Workers’ Comp Attorney Help?

If you’ve fractured or broken a bone on the job, your first step after receiving urgent medical attention should be contacting a workers’ compensation attorney. A Pennsylvania workers’ comp lawyer can help:

Gather all the evidence you need for a successful workers’ comp claim.

Keep up with deadlines so you remain eligible for benefits.

Negotiate a fair settlement if you and your employer want to settle privately.

Navigate the appeals process if your initial claim is rejected.

Represent you before a judge in any workers’ compensation hearings.

Contact Frommer D’Amico for Help With YourBroken Bone Compensation Claim

As a Pennsylvania employee, you deserve fair compensation for any fractured or broken bones you suffer while doing your job. The experienced Pennsylvania workers’ compensation attorneys at Frommer D’Amico are here to help you get compensation. Our practice is fully dedicated to fighting for workers, and we offer low fees for our clients. We help injured workers throughout central Pennsylvania, and you can reach us 24/7. 

Contact us today for help getting the compensation you deserve.