Ed Sweeney
Franny Ryan
In Pottstown and surrounding communities, the law firm Wusinich, Sweeney & Ryan, LLC has been representing injured workers and their families in workers’ compensation insurance cases for more than 40 years.
In those four decades, the firm has proved itself to be a determined advocate for injured workers in all kinds of industries in the community. Although Pottstown has a long history of agriculture work, much of the population of Pottstown is now employed in the health care industry, schools, private businesses, and manufacturing. Although physical labor jobs may present more of a likelihood of injury, accidents can happen in any workplace.
Protecting workers has always been a focus at the firm since they first opened their doors to clients in 1978.
Almost all workplaces across the state of Pennsylvania must provide coverage for injuries, accidents, and diseases that workers might get on the job. There are some exceptions, but his state-mandated insurance package covers medical costs and provides compensation when a worker is recuperating.
This is mandated by the state to reduce problems from workplace accidents for both the employee and the employer. Much like a no-fault insurance policy, the coverage applies regardless of who caused the accident, even if it was the employer’s fault or a mistake the worker made that caused the injury or illness. In exchange for this coverage, the employee is signing off to not sue the employer for injuries. Because it is mandated for almost all employers in the state, it is likely that the paperwork for workers’ compensation insurance was signed right away, along with a pile of other forms, likely on the first day of work. The program covers workers after the first day of work as well.
Besides being covered for the cost of medical care, the injured worker receives regular income until they can return to work, about two-thirds of the worker’s regular salary, or 60 percent of income.
Another important benefit that workers’ compensation insurance offers is a death benefit for the worker’s family if the worker dies because of the incident.
One of the biggest benefits of no-fault car insurance is that it covers everyone, no matter who caused the accident. Workers’ compensation is the same. However, like no-fault auto insurance, workers’ compensation insurance offers limited benefits.
A few important features of the workers’ compensation insurance package include the following:
As noted above, the workers’ compensation system was mandated by the state because it serves the employee as well as the employer in the event of an accident or injury on the job. Here are some of the ways it benefits employers:
Although it is often the case that an accident or injury on the job was immediately reported to the employer to get emergency medical assistance on the scene, sometimes that does not happen. The employer may not be on site, the worker may be at a distant location, or communication may not be possible.
Many times, a disease results from a workplace incident, which may not have been reported at the time of exposure or the incident, because it was unknown that a disease would result. This kind of case requires figuring out the cause of the disease and where the exposure may have happened, such as a toxic chemical stored at work that perhaps was spilled accidentally or released into the air. In situations such as this, neither the employer nor the employee might know the exact time of the incident.
Keeping in mind that extenuating circumstances may impact when the employer is informed of a workplace incident, Pennsylvania requires that work injuries are reported within 21 days.
There are situations in which the injury or illness needs to be reported to the employer by a coworker or loved one of the injured worker. But no matter who reports the incident, pertinent details of the accident need to be shared, preferably in writing, to the employer, as soon as possible. This can be done by email, as sending a letter by regular mail may take too much time.
When the employer has been informed, management needs to file a claim with the workers’ compensation insurance carrier. This too, is often done right away in an emergency.
We represent clients throughout Chester County, Lancaster County and Delaware County including but not limited to Downingtown, West Chester, Exton, Coatesville, Phoenixville, Malvern, Lyndell, Wagontown, Uwchland, Parkesburg, Chester Springs.