How Long Do Workers’ Comp Cases Last?

On This Page

1. Factors That Can Affect How Long Your Workers’ Compensation Case Lasts
2. What Workers’ Compensation Covers
3. Your Rights in a Workers’ Compensation Case
4. You Might Also Be Eligible for Social Security Disability
5. Call Berger and Green Now for Help with Your Workers’ Compensation Case

REVIEWED BY

C. William Kenny

February 02, 2024

Board certified by National Board of Trial Advocacy

How long workers’ compensation cases last depend on several different factors. A personal injury lawyer can help you during this difficult time.

A workers’ compensation case can leave you feeling stuck as you wait for a resolution. If your claim is denied, a personal injury lawyer can take up the fight and appeal the decision.

Factors That Can Affect How Long Your Workers’ Compensation Case Lasts

Some workers’ compensation cases are straightforward and progress quickly. In other cases, certain factors may prolong how long your workers’ compensation case lasts:

• Your employer claims your injury was not work-related, that you were engaging in horseplay at the time of your injury, or that you were intoxicated
• Your employer’s insurer refuses to cover the claim
• You need to file an appeal

A lawyer can help if you need to establish that your injury resulted from a work-related event or if you need to appeal the insurer’s denial.

What Workers’ Compensation Covers

A workplace injury can result in a serious injury that requires significant time away from your job site. A severe injury may result in a permanent disability that leaves you unable to return to your career.

Workers’ compensation will cover your medical bills and a portion of your lost wages. If you’ve lost a loved one, workers’ compensation will also cover death benefits to beneficiaries.

Your Rights in a Workers’ Compensation Case

The Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Act governs cases by outlining employer requirements and employee rights. In most cases, an injured employee is entitled to payment of their medical bills and compensation for a portion of their lost wages through their employer’s workers’ compensation insurance.

While a workers’ compensation case may seem like a simple process, there is much more involved than simply filing a claim and visiting a doctor. For example, in order to qualify for wage compensation, you may have to miss a specific amount of work due to your injury.

It is not uncommon to receive a denial of benefits for a workers’ compensation claim. Investigating and determining how your injuries occurred — and questioning why your claim was denied⁠ — is where a workers’ compensation lawyer can help you.

Discussing your case with a personal injury lawyer can make you aware of your legal options. While your wages from workers’ compensation insurance are not your full salary, the amount you receive can prove helpful with your expenses. While a lawyer is unable to expedite your case, they can investigate as to why your claim was denied and build a strong appeal on your behalf.

You Might Also Be Eligible for Social Security Disability

If your work injury is going to keep you out of work for at least a year, you may be eligible for Social Security Disability.

In order to apply for Social Security Disability benefits, you must prove that your disability is so severe it keeps you from working. Gathering and submitting all necessary medical documents with your Social Security Disability benefits application is imperative for your case.

The Social Security Administration denies the majority of claims it receives but you have the right to file an appeal. A lawyer can help.

You might have other options for recovering compensation as well. If a party other than your employer contributed to your injury, you may also be able to file a third-party claim. Our team can investigate your case and determine your options.

Call Berger and Green Now for Help with Your Workers’ Compensation Case

While a workers’ compensation case is often challenging, securing legal representation is not. At Berger and Green, we work on a contingency-fee basis, meaning we only collect our fee if we win your case. If your case is not successful, you do not pay us for our time. There is no risk when you work with our team.

Your personal injury lawyer from Berger and Green will keep you informed throughout the process so you never have to worry about the status of your case.

How long your workers’ comp case lasts depends upon the specifics of your accident. However, the sooner you contact our team, the sooner we can get to work for you.

Let us help you. Call Berger and Green now for a free case evaluation at (412) 661-1400. We help victims of all types of workplace accidents during their time of need. If you are having trouble obtaining workers’ compensation benefits or are unsure why your claim was denied, reach out to our team today.