Workers' Compensation Back Injury Attorney in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 

If you have suffered or aggravated a back injury while performing your duties at work, it is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible. If left untreated, a back injury could result in lifelong issues, ranging from chronic pain and mobility problems to paralysis.  

Our PA workers’ compensation attorney at H. Rosen Law, P.C. is dedicated to protecting the rights of injured workers in Philadelphia and throughout Southeastern Pennsylvania. We understand the difficulties and uncertainties you face after suffering a work-related back injury. In some cases, a back injury may affect your ability to work for the rest of your life, not to mention the financial costs.  

From our office in Philadelphia, H. Rosen Law, P.C. proudly serves injured workers and their families throughout Southeastern Pennsylvania, including Scranton and Harrisburg.

Back Injuries at Work  

The back is a sensitive part of the body that can leave a worker temporarily or permanently disabled when damaged. Some of the most common types of back injuries at work include: 

• Soft-tissue sprain or strain 

• Herniated disc 

• Spinal stenosis 

• Degenerative disc disease 

• Cervical injury 

• Lumbar injury 

• Osteoporosis 

• Fractures  

While some work-related injuries occur in traumatic accidents, others develop over time and are caused by wear and tear, overuse, and repetitive stress. Some occupations are more susceptible to back injuries than others. Back and spinal injuries are a common occurrence among workers in the construction, manufacturing, and transportation industries.  

When a worker suffers a back injury, they may deal with short-term and long-term effects, depending on the nature and severity of the injury. Some of the effects of a work-related back injury include chronic pain, stiffness, muscle weakness, difficulty moving, difficulty walking, difficulty standing up straight, bruising, reduced mobility, bladder and bowel dysfunction, and many others.  

In extreme cases, a back injury may lead to total or partial paralysis. Depending on the injury, a worker may never regain all of their body functions, which can result in loss of income and significant medical expenses.  

Overview of Workers’ Compensation
in Pennsylvania  

If you suffered a back injury at work, you could be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits in Pennsylvania. In fact, you may be entitled to compensation even if your responsibilities at work aggravate your existing back injury. Workers’ compensation benefits are available to workers who suffer back injuries as a result of a single event (a traumatic accident) and back injuries that develop gradually.  

In Pennsylvania, the vast majority of employers must carry workers’ compensation insurance to provide benefits to workers who suffer job-related injuries and occupational diseases. The coverage pays for: 

• Loss of wages 

• The cost of medical treatment 

• Death-related expenses (when a worker dies as a result of an injury or illness) 

Most Pennsylvania employers are legally required to provide workers’ compensation coverage for all employees, including part-time and seasonal employees.   

Filing a Workers’ Compensation Claim  

If you were diagnosed with a back injury caused or aggravated by your job duties, you need to understand the process of filing a workers’ compensation claim. The process of pursuing a workers’ compensation claim in Pennsylvania includes the following steps: 

1. Report the injury. Pennsylvania law gives workers 21 days to report their injuries to their employer in order to be eligible for maximum compensation. If you make a workers’ compensation claim after the 21st day, you may not be able to receive wage loss benefits and reimbursement for medical expenses retroactive to the day of the injury. As long as you report your injury within 120 days of the accident or an injury diagnosis, you can receive compensation for lost wages and medical costs from the date you make the report. Failure to report the injury within 120 days usually results in the denial of a workers’ compensation claim.  

2. Wait for the insurance company’s response. Once you report your injury, your employer will take it from there. After receiving your report, your employer will submit a First Report of Injury to the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation. The employer’s workers’ compensation insurance provider has 21 days from the date of receiving the notice of your injury to either accept or deny your claim.  

3. Appeal a denied claim. If your claim is denied, you have three years from the date of the accident or injury diagnosis to submit a Claim Petition to the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation. Once you appeal the denial of your claim, it will be up to the judge to decide whether to approve or deny compensation.  

Navigating the workers’ compensation claims process in Pennsylvania can be confusing, especially when you do not have an attorney on your side. That is why you may want to seek the guidance of an experienced Philadelphia workers' compensation lawyer to help you file the proper paperwork and fill out the necessary forms when pursuing workers’ compensation benefits.