• Accidents and injuries that happen at work, are considered work-related, or are caused by workplace conditions
• Illnesses and infections resulting from a work-related accident or injury
• Specific loss benefits
• Occupational diseases, which are diseases caused by workplace conditions. For example: exposure to workplace dust or chemicals, resulting in a disease
• Amputations — or loss of use for all practical purposes — of various body parts, as well as disfigurement of the head, face, or neck.
• Death caused by a workplace injury is covered with benefits, payable to beneficiaries

It depends. Benefits can include medical care, prescriptions, some rehabilitative services, orthopedic appliances, disability compensation, and, in some instances, they will pay for one-time modifications to a home or vehicle.

Yes, workers’ compensation pays for lost time at work. If time away from work because of an injury or illness exceeds 7 days, a portion of normal wages are paid.

• Self-inflicted injuries that occur on the job site
• Injuries caused by your own intoxication or illegal drug use
• Attacks by a third party for a reason not related to your job
• Injuries resulting from unlawful behavior

When your claim is denied, your pursuit of justice isn’t over. Don’t let them add insult to injury.

Our Pittsburgh workers’ compensation lawyers can take steps to refute the basis of the denial and file a claim petition on your behalf. We know this system — we’ve successfully represented injured workers in Western PA for over 30 years. We’re here to answer your questions, navigate the process and make sure you know your rights every step of the way.

Your employers could have legal grounds to deny your initial claim if:

• A physician refuses to determine that the injury is disabling
• The injury did not happen at work, or during the course of employment
• The injured worker is an independent contractor, not an employee
• The disabling injury is, in fact, a preexisting condition
• There is a delay in processing the claim
• There is a need for additional information about the accident, the injury, or both.

If you believe your claim was unfairly denied, contact us ASAP to speak with a Pittsburgh workers’ compensation lawyer today. We’ve been filed claim petitions for thousands of denied workers, and we can help you too.

Sometimes, the workers’ comp insurance company’s doctor has a different opinion from your treating physician about when you can come back to your job. Knowing more about the process and what you will face can help ensure you are not being forced back into work before you are truly ready. Read about your rights here.

I’ve been notified that my benefits are at risk.

Did your insurance company notify you that they intend to stop, suspend or reduce your benefits? Don’t challenge them alone. 

We represent those people whose benefits the insurance company has attempted to terminate, modify or suspend:

We’ve represented thousands of injured workers whose benefits the insurance company has attempted to suspend, modify, or terminate because:

• An insurance doctor clears you to return to work after an IME or IRE
• Your employer offers you light or modified-duty employment, and you refuse the offer, or it pays you less than you were earning when you got hurt.
• The workers’ comp insurer claims you’ve made a full recovery, but you haven’t
• A utilization review request

Our Pittsburgh workers’ compensation attorneys fight the insurance company by presenting the facts of your condition to maximize the chance your benefits will be recovered.

Yes. If you are asked to attend an IME (Insurance or Independent Medical Exam) or IRE (Impairment Rating Evaluation) you’ll need to discuss your rights with an attorney including whether the insurance company is even entitled to the exam, how to proceed, and a possible plan of action in response to an unfavorable result.

Yes. Having an attorney present during the vocational interview ensures your rights are protected. In most cases, the vocational expert is working on behalf of your employer, and isn’t there to protect your best interests. That means the assessment gathered at your interview can be used as evidence that your benefits should be modified or stopped.

If you’ve been asked to attend an IME, IRE or Vocational Interview, contact us ASAP. Our attorneys are equipped to assist you in challenging any opinion of your employer’s medical or vocational expert to show that:

• Your physical condition isn’t suitable for the jobs the expert has identified for you.
• The labor market survey developed by the vocational expert is inaccurate or inapplicable to your circumstances.
• The earning power assessment made by the expert overstates your actual earning capacity.
• The expert lacks the qualifications required to render a reliable opinion.

We can also assist in:

• Showing whether an IRE or IME is timely or appropriate.
• Creating a plan of of action to possibly rebut an IME or  IRE.

If you’ve already attended the interview and you disagree with the results, our workers’ compensation attorneys can help you dispute the findings.

IMEs (Independent Medical Examination) and IREs (Impairment Rating Evaluation) are common in workers’ compensation cases when a permanent disability rating is a possibility. However, the doctor being brought in to conduct them isn’t always as neutral as it should be. Contact one of our law firm immediately to ensure you secure the benefits you deserve. When preparing for an evaluation, remember:

• Arrive early. You will need time to fill out paperwork before the exam, and missing your appointment can put your benefits at risk. Leave no doubt by arriving 30 minutes prior to your appointment.
• Know your medical history. Take time to review your medical records to avoid any inconsistencies between your word and the records your medical examiner will be referencing.
• Bring a witness. If a dispute arises at a later date, a reputable third party my be helpful.
• Be honest. Do not exaggerate your symptoms or the cause of your accident. Any inconsistencies in the account of your accident can call your credibility into question and put your benefits at risk.
• Expect to be continually observed. The premises of your exam are likely under video surveillance, and your actions throughout the entire time you are on the examiner’s premises will be taken into consideration — not just what happens during your exam.