What To Do If You Can't Return To Work

Know your rights. Philadelphia Workers Compensation Lawyer explains options

If you've been hurt on the job in Pennsylvania, you might not be able to return to work for weeks or months, if ever again. Like many injured workers, you should be eligible to receive workers' compensation benefits for your injury. However, there's no guarantee that you will automatically receive such compensation. And even if you do, such benefits might not cover all the expenses associated with your workplace injury.

Knowing what to do in such situations can be very confusing. And without the right legal representation, you might forfeit your right to receive financial compensation you deserve for legitimate expenses, including medical bills, lost income and more. If you don't receive the money you rightfully deserve, you might have to pay for those injury-related expenses on your own.

That's not right. That's why we want to help you. Philadelphia workers' compensation attorney Richard A. Jaffe has years of experience working with people who cannot return to work due to an injury or illness sustained on the job. He understands how the legal system works in Philadelphia and he has the case results to prove it.

Legal issues facing you

If you cannot work due to a workplace injury, it's critical that you take immediate legal action in order to make sure that you receive compensation during your recovery period. Some of the legal issues that we can help you address include:

• Filing a workers' compensation claim
• Making sure you receive the medical care you need
• Compiling evidence supporting your injury claim
• Dealing with your employer's insurance company
• Appealing your denied workers' comp claim
• Filing a work injury lawsuit on your behalf, if applicable

Don't underestimate the complexity of your workplace injury. Contact our law firm and find out how we can help you.

Steps you should take

Every workplace injury is unique. But in many cases, injury victims face similar obstacles after they sustain a serious injury or illness at work. If you cannot return to work due to your workplace injury, we strongly urge you to take the following actions:

• Report your workplace injury to your employer - You have 21 days to notify your employer that you've been hurt at work. Keep your comments brief. Anything you say or write could be used by your employer's insurance company to deny your claim. If you have any questions or concerns, contact us. We can help guide you through this process.
• Seek immediate medical attention - Even if you feel fine, don't try to diagnose yourself. You could have a serious, life-threatening injury. Have a medical professional examine you. By doing so, you will also create evidence documenting your injury, something insurance companies need when deciding whether to approve or deny your claim.
• Get a second medical opinion if the first doctor downplays the severity of your injuries - Your employer or your employer's insurance company might decide which doctor diagnoses your workplace injury or illness. In many cases, these physicians downplay the severity of worker injuries. You don't have to accept that doctor's diagnosis. We can help you get an independent doctor's second opinion.
• Take photographs of your injury - If you have visible signs of an injury, take photographs of the affected area as soon as possible. Photographic proof of serious workplace injuries can be an important piece of evidence to support your claim.
• Keep a workplace injury journal - The more evidence you have supporting your workplace injury claim, the better. This can include a journal detailing your workplace accident. Write down as soon as possible exactly what happened and how your injury or illness occurred. Also write down any symptoms or side effects you're experiencing as a result of your injury, treatments you received, times and dates of doctors' appointments and more. Every detail matters.
• Take time to fully recover - Don't try to rush back to work. If you have been seriously hurt on the job, take the time you need to recover physically and mentally. You know your body best. And we can help you get the time you deserve to rest and recuperate on your terms.
• Follow your doctor's advice - Whatever the doctor treating you for your workplace injury tells you to do, follow the doctor's advice. If you do not, your employer's insurance company or whoever's responsible for compensating you for your injury might try to claim that your actions made your injury worse. They might then use this information to deny your claim or cut off your workers' compensation benefits.
• Contact our law firm - We can help you every step of the way with your workers' compensation claim.

Demand Justice - Get Jaffe

The sooner you contact us, the sooner we can start investigating your claim. The people investigating your workplace injury on behalf of your employer or your employer's insurance company do not work for you. In most cases, they only care about keeping their expenses to a minimum. And in many cases, that means denying or reducing your workers' comp claim.

Attorney Jaffe works exclusively for you. And as your lawyer, he will rigorously investigate your injury in search of the truth. This includes:

• Carefully analyzing your medical records, other relevant documentation of your injury
• Interviewing witnesses if applicable
• Consulting with experts if necessary
• Helping you receive the medical care you need
• Dealing with your employer during your recovery
• Negotiating with insurance companies on your behalf
• Appealing your denied workers' comp claim
• Filing a lawsuit on your behalf if applicable

Remember, you didn't do anything wrong when you got hurt at work. You were simply doing your job. Now it's our turn. Put attorney Jaffe to work for you. Contact our law firm right now.