South Philadelphia Workers’ Compensation Lawyer

South Philadelphia is a bustling mecca for industry, with workers in fields ranging from oil refineries, manufacturing, and chemical processing, to cutting-edge healthcare, higher education, and law enforcement. With a strong work ethic like that of most South Philadelphia residents, also comes a significant number of work injuries. There were nearly 800 workers’ compensation claims in Philadelphia alone in 2024.

Suffering an injury at work can feel overwhelming when medical bills start adding up at the same time you’re unable to return to work because of your injury. Call the workers’ compensation attorneys in South Philadelphia who are ready to help ensure you get the compensation you and your family need.

Why Choose Grungo Law as Your South Philly Workers’ Compensation Attorneys?

The compassionate personal injury lawyers at Grungo Law have dedicated their careers to advocating for injury victims against at-fault parties, large companies, and profit-protecting insurers. We bring significant advantages to every injured client, including the following benefits to your case:

• A free consultation and no fees until after we obtain your compensation
• A lead trial attorney and partners who put their legal minds and resources behind your claim
• A policy of open communication so you remain involved and well-informed instead of being left in the dark about the progress of your claim
• Meticulous attention to detail to ensure that you miss no avenue for compensation and no paperwork errors delay your payment
• An individually tailored legal strategy to ensure the best results in your Philadelphia workers’ compensation claim instead of the cookie-cutter approach offered by many workers’ compensation attorneys in South Philadelphia

With over $135 million in recovered compensation for our clients, including a notable recent win of $6.5 million for the grieving family members of a construction worker killed in a workplace accident, we put a strong voice behind your claim.

How Does Workers’ Compensation Work In Philadelphia?

In the past, injured workers had few legal options for supporting their families if an injury at work prevented them from earning wages. Fortunately, Pennsylvania adopted a workers’ compensation act in 1915 requiring all Pennsylvania employees to carry insurance to protect their workers from hardship in the event of an injury suffered on the job. This insurance also protects employers from direct liability so they don’t face lawsuits from injured employees. Although injuries are more common in some industries such as construction and manufacturing, workers may experience an injury in any job position, including in an office or restaurant. All employers in Pennsylvania must carry workers’ compensation insurance, unless otherwise covered under a separate act, such as that for federal employees.

What Does Workers’ Compensation Cover in South Philadelphia?

Injuries are expensive to treat effectively and sometimes require multiple medical procedures and physical therapy to maximize recovery. Some workplace injuries have permanent consequences like disability or impairment. Temporary or permanent inability to return to work compounds the financial hardship of a serious workplace injury. Fortunately, workers’ compensation provides a safety net for injured employees in South Philadelphia. A successful claim results in the following:

• Reimbursement for emergency medical care 
• Payment for additional care
• Two-thirds of the injury victim’s standard weekly pay until they are able to return to work, or
• Two-thirds of the difference between their standard pay and light duty pay if they are cleared to return to work on light duty
• Disability pay
• Funeral costs and lost income to the family members of an employee who suffers a fatal work injury

Pennsylvania workers’ compensation applies caps or maximums to higher wage earners and pays 90% of wages for lower wage earners, or those who make less than $669.43 per week.

What Is the Process for Filing for Workers’ Compensation In South Philadelphia?

After suffering an injury in the workplace, it may be difficult to immediately take purposeful action at the scene; however, if you are able to use your cell phone, you can document your injury by photographing anything relevant to the cause of the injury, like a broken ladder or a dangling power cord that caused a fall. You can also photograph any visible injuries. Report the injury to your supervisor and ask them to fill out an accident or incident report. Then, go directly to a hospital or urgent care center. Ask your provider to fill out a detailed medical report showing your injury, their treatment recommendation, and your prognosis for recovery.

It’s important to report the injury directly to your employer in writing as soon as possible. Employers have up to 21 days to respond to the claim with an approval or denial. If your employer denies the claim, you have the right to file an appeal with workers’ compensation.

What If Workers’ Compensation Denies My Claim?

Although the Workers’ Compensation Act was passed by the government of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, it is not a government program. Instead, employers rely on insurance companies to provide policies. These private companies are in business to make profits and sometimes find reasons to deny claims. Common causes of a workers’ compensation claim denial in South Philadelphia include the following:

• The employee missed a deadline for reporting,  filing, or made paperwork errors
• The employee provided insufficient evidence that the injury occurred in the workplace
• They have a pre-existing condition the insurance company may claim is the true cause of the symptoms
• The insurer claims the employee wasn’t acting within the scope of their work duties, was irresponsible, or was under the influence of a substance while injured
• Their employer claims they are not a direct employee but an independent contractor or otherwise ineligible

It’s not uncommon for workers’ compensation to misinterpret the law and deny valid claims; for example, even if you have a pre-existing condition, you may still be eligible for workers’ compensation if your injury worsened the condition.

If you’ve received a claim denial, it’s critical to reach out to a workers’ compensation attorney as soon as possible for experienced representation.

Call the South Philadelphia Workers’ Compensation Attorneys at Grungo Law

The success of a workers’ compensation claim is essential for you and your family. The South Philadelphia personal injury lawyers at Grungo Law are ready to make a compelling case for your workers’ compensation benefits. You shouldn’t have to suffer financial hardship in addition to the pain and trauma of a serious workplace injury. Call Grungo Law today to ensure that a paperwork error or oversight doesn’t result in the denial of your valid claim, or to file an appeal if you’ve been denied benefits.