Filing Workers’ Comp Claims For Broken Bones & Fractures

Recovering from a fracture or broken bone is never easy. Living with pain and limited mobility can be extremely frustrating, especially when your injuries prevent you from working and enjoying recreational activities.

Fortunately, Pennsylvania Workers' Compensation provides a financial safety net for employees who break bones during work. Virtually every PA worker is entitled to these benefits, which will provide compensation for your medical bills and a portion of your lost wages. If your injuries are severe enough to keep you out of work for over a year, you may also qualify for Social Security disability benefits.

Filing A Claim For Benefits

Workers' Comp and SSD benefits are both no-fault forms of insurance, which means that in exchange for guaranteed coverage, workers are usually prohibited from suing their employers after a workplace accident. Even if your employer made a careless mistake which directly caused your injury, you may not sue for damages. There are occasional exceptions for egregious breaches of workplace safety - such as failure to provide protective gear.

While these benefits offer crucial protection for workers, these systems are far from perfect. Every injured worker is technically entitled to these benefits, but many claims are disputed or denied. This is largely due to the fact that these are forms of insurance, and insurance companies profit by paying out the minimum.

This is why it's often necessary to have your own legal counsel who is well-versed in work injury claims. Our dedicated work injury lawyers know the tricks the other side plays to get out of providing benefits and how to respond to their efforts. We're proud to help all types of workers recover the compensation they deserve in a timely manner.

Accidents Which Frequently Cause Fractures

Workplace fractures can happen a number of ways, but there are a few types of common accidents which lead to these injuries:

• Motor vehicle accidents - Those who frequently drive for work (such as transportation workers, delivery drivers, etc.) are at one of the highest risks for suffering a broken bone or fracture on the job.
• Slips and falls - If you slip, fall, and land on a hard surface, the impact will frequently result in a fracture or broken bone. Falls from heights also often result in these injuries, so employees who work from elevations (such as roofers and construction workers) are at a higher risk.
• Struck by falling objects - Even small objects can cause serious damage if they strike someone after being dropped from a high elevation. This frequently happens to construction workers when another worker drops a tool from above.
• Struck by equipment - Workers in industries which use heavy machinery are at a notably high risk of breaking a bone on the job. When an operator makes a mistake or a machine malfunctions and makes contact with a worker, broken bones are some of the most common consequences.

It doesn't matter how you broke your bone - any injury acquired on the job is eligible for Workers' Compensation benefits.

Treatment For Broken Bones & Fractures

The common types of treatments for these injuries often require time off from work. Treatment will vary based on the nature of your injuries, but immobilization is key for virtually all of these injuries. Most broken bones require casts and minimal physical activity during recovery.

More severe breaks may require surgery, which means higher expenses and a longer recovery time.

In either case, workers who are suffering from broken bones need to receive compensation in order to fully recover as soon as possible. There's no good reason for an injured worker to be stressed about medical bills piling up when no paychecks are coming in. A successful Workers' Comp claim can help ease these concerns.

How Can I Earn Full Compensation For A Work Injury?

Our dedicated work injury lawyers specialize in helping injured workers earn maximum compensation. We know how to get claims and appeals through the system quickly so that our clients can get back to work as soon as possible.

We're also know how to determine if other forms of compensation are applicable. Severe breaks which require extensive rehabilitation may qualify for Social Security disability benefits. If a nonemployee's negligent behavior caused your break, you may also be eligible to file a personal injury claim against that party (e.g. if you were a trucker who got injured in a crash with a reckless driver).

Recovering full compensation can be complex, so it's often necessary to discuss your case with an attorney who specializes in these matters. Our lawyers will gladly evaluate your claim in a free consultation, and will only ask for payment if and when we win for you.

Related Links

• What you should know about filing a claim for Workers' Comp
• Workplace accidents which commonly result in Workers' Comp claims
• Industries with frequent work-related injuries