Philadelphia Workplace Injury Lawyer
Hurt on the job? Workers' compensation may be only part of the picture. We look at every source of recovery, not just the obvious one.
Hurt at work? Know all of your options
Philadelphia runs on people who do physical work: construction crews on Center City high-rises, warehouse and distribution workers in Northeast Philadelphia and along the I-95 corridor, drivers, dock workers and healthcare staff. When one of them gets hurt, a paycheck stops and the bills start.
Most employees in Pennsylvania are covered by workers' compensation, which generally pays for medical treatment and a portion of lost wages no matter who was at fault. It is an important safety net, but it has limits. It generally does not pay for pain and suffering, and in most situations it prevents you from suing your employer.
That is why the next question matters: was someone other than your employer also responsible? If a subcontractor, an equipment manufacturer, a property owner or a careless driver contributed to your injury, you may have a separate personal injury claim against that third party, in addition to workers' compensation. Patterson Injury Lawyers helps injured workers understand both paths and pursue the compensation the law allows. The consultation is free, and there is no fee unless we recover for you.
Common workplace injuries
Job site injuries often mean time away from work, which makes the financial pressure immediate.
- Back, neck and spinal injuries
- Fractures and crush injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries from falls or falling objects
- Amputations and serious hand injuries
- Burns and electrical injuries
- Torn rotator cuffs and knee injuries from lifting and carrying
- Eye injuries and hearing loss
- Fatal injuries
Workers' compensation basics
- It is generally no-fault. You usually do not have to prove your employer did anything wrong.
- It generally covers reasonable medical treatment for the injury and a portion of your lost wages.
- It generally does not cover pain and suffering.
- Report the injury promptly. Pennsylvania sets deadlines for telling your employer about a work injury, and waiting can put your benefits at risk. Report it in writing as soon as you can, and keep a copy.
- Get medical care and tell the provider the injury happened at work. Your employer may have a list of approved providers for initial treatment.
Deadlines apply to both workers' compensation and injury claims. Call us to learn how they affect your case.
When a third party may also be responsible
Workers' compensation covers claims against your employer. It does not protect other companies or people whose carelessness hurt you. Common third parties include:
- Equipment manufacturers, when a machine, tool or safety device was defective.
- Contractors and subcontractors, when another company on the site created the hazard or was responsible for site safety.
- Property owners, when a dangerous condition on someone else's property caused the injury.
- Drivers, when you were hit while working on the road or driving for your job. See our car accident and truck accident pages.
A third-party claim can seek damages that workers' compensation does not pay, including pain and suffering. The two claims can run at the same time and they affect each other, which is one more reason to get advice early. If a workplace incident took the life of someone in your family, our wrongful death page explains the options.
Every case is different. This page is general information, not legal advice.
How we help injured workers
- Step 1
Free consultation
Tell us how you were hurt and who was on the job site. We will explain how workers' compensation and a third-party claim may fit together.
- Step 2
We look for every responsible party
We review incident reports, contracts, equipment and site conditions to find out whether anyone besides your employer contributed.
- Step 3
We pursue the claim
We deal with the insurers, negotiate for you, and litigate when that is what it takes. You pay no fee unless we recover.
Workplace injury questions
Short answers to what people ask us most. For anything else, call us any time.
Generally, no. Workers' compensation is usually the only remedy against your employer, with limited exceptions. You may, however, have a separate claim against a third party, such as another contractor, an equipment manufacturer or a driver, whose negligence contributed to the injury.
It is a personal injury claim against someone other than your employer who helped cause your work injury. Unlike workers' compensation, a third-party claim can include damages for pain and suffering.
As soon as possible. Pennsylvania law sets deadlines for giving your employer notice of a work injury, and a delay can reduce or jeopardize your benefits. Report it in writing and keep a copy.
In many cases, yes. Workers' compensation and a third-party claim can proceed together, although they affect each other. We can explain how the two fit together in your situation.
It depends on who controlled the work and who created or failed to correct the hazard. A general contractor, a subcontractor, a property owner or an equipment supplier may share responsibility. We review the contracts and the site conditions to find out.
Nothing. The consultation is free, there are no upfront fees, and we are paid only if we recover compensation for you.
Related practice areas
Injured? Don't wait.
Call (215) 383-9959, 24/7. The consultation is free, and there is no fee unless we recover for you.