Unfortunately, many injury victims make decisions based on inaccurate information or misconceptions about the process. For example, did you know that even if you have already filed a claim you may be able to hire an attorney to assist you?
If you are unsure about your potential options, you should strongly consider contacting Schmidt Kramer for help. Our experienced attorneys can meet with you in a free consultation to discuss what to do next. We have extensive knowledge of Pennsylvania workers’ compensation laws and the appeals process for denied or disputed claims.
When do Injured Employees Contact Lawyers?
Injured employees often wait until their claims have been denied before contacting a lawyer for help and answers to their questions. When they file their claim, they may assume a denial is unlikely, so they do not think they need an attorney to help them.
However, employers and their insurance companies often deny claims that appear legitimate. They hope the employee will simply give up because he or she thinks it is too complicated to file an appeal.
That is why it is never too early to call a lawyer for assistance. Your Harrisburg-based workers’ compensation attorney can help determine if your claim may be more likely to be approved or denied. He or she may also be able to take steps to help strengthen your application so it may be more likely to be approved.
Even if your claim gets denied, if you have already contacted a lawyer he or she will have plenty of background information about your case. This may allow him or her to file an appeal faster. The faster an appeal is filed, the sooner you may receive benefits if your application is approved.
However, employees often call lawyers after their claim has already been filed or denied. It is not too late in the process to meet with a lawyer.
At Schmidt Kramer, we provide legal representation on contingency. The contingency is we are not paid unless you receive compensation. There is no obligation for you to hire our firm after meeting with one of our lawyers in a free consultation. The choice of a lawyer is entirely up to you. What this means is there is essentially no downside to meeting with one of our attorneys to find out how we may be able to help you.
We understand people are nervous about the cost of hiring a lawyer. That is why the contingency fee system is so beneficial to injury victims.
Are There Any Deadlines I Should Know About?
There is a point where it is unlikely a lawyer will be able to help you pursue workers’ compensation benefits. If your claim was denied, you have three years to file an appeal. If you pass that point, it is highly unlikely you would be able to appeal.
If your appeal is assigned to a workers’ compensation judge, and the judge upholds the denial of your claim, you have just 20 days to appeal the decision.
If you miss these deadlines, it is unlikely an attorney will be able to help you. That is why it is important to meet with a lawyer as soon as possible. If you were doing your job when you got hurt, you may be eligible for benefits, no matter whose fault the injury was.
Many people wrongly assume it will not be possible to overturn a denial. However, it can be a bad idea to make this sort of judgment without discussing things with an attorney who has appealed claims before. Your employer and its insurance company have a motivation to deny claims because they want to avoid paying out compensation.
Have Questions? We Have Answers. Call Today
Schmidt Kramer has been advocating for injury victims in Pennsylvania for decades. Our firm has recovered more than 100 million dollars, and our attorneys have been recognized by numerous legal organizations, including Best Lawyers, Super Lawyers and National Trial Lawyers.
Read our client testimonials page to find out what our satisfied clients had to say about our services.
Your consultation is free and there is no obligation. Call for help: (717) 888-8888