Workers’ Compensation Lawyer In Williamsport, Pennsylvania

If you were hurt on the job or as a result of workplace conditions or an event that happened in the workplace, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. The good news is that if you qualify for workers’ compensation, you may be legally entitled to receive wage benefits and to have your medical care covered. In addition, you may be eligible for benefits that relate to the loss of use of a body part, to disfigurement, to reimbursement for assistive devices such as wheelchairs, and even to necessary alterations to your home or vehicle.

The bad news is that your employer or your employer’s insurance company may attempt to deny or minimize the benefits that you legitimately deserve. They may argue that your injury is not work related, that it is not serious or that it does not require surgery or other treatment. For these reasons, you may need the help of an experienced lawyer to protect your legal rights. That’s where we can help.

Request A Workers’ Compensation Consultation

Contact An Experienced Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Today

We understand the difficulties you may be facing if you are struggling with a work-related injury. We understand the frustration that can come when you are not being treated fairly. Contact us for a consultation by calling 570-796-7613 or filling out our online contact form.

Workers’ Compensation In Pennsylvania: What It Covers (And What It Doesn’t)

Pennsylvania’s workers’ compensation system is a “no-fault” structure designed to provide quick relief to injured employees. However, the system is complex, and covered does not always mean automatic. In Pennsylvania, a successful claim typically provides:

• Wage-loss benefits: Generally, you are entitled to approximately two-thirds of your average weekly wage if you are unable to work or are earning less than your pre-injury salary.
• Medical coverage: Your employer or their insurer must pay for “reasonable and necessary” medical treatment related to the work injury.
• Specific loss benefits: If you suffer the permanent loss of use of a body part (like a finger, hand, or toe), or suffer permanent hearing loss or vision impairment, you may be entitled to specific payments regardless of whether you missed work.
• Disfigurement and scarring: You can receive benefits for permanent scarring or disfigurement of the head, face, or neck.
• Vocational benefits: In certain cases, this covers help in finding new employment if you cannot return to your previous role.

What Is Not Covered?

Not every workplace incident is a valid claim. Common exclusions include injuries sustained by independent contractors, injuries that occurred while off-the-clock (with some exceptions for travel), or incidents caused by the employee’s intoxication or horseplay that violates company policy.

What To Do After A Work Injury In Williamsport (Step-By-Step)

The actions you take in the first 48 hours can make or break your claim. Follow this checklist to protect your rights:

• Report the injury immediately: You must notify your supervisor. Under Pennsylvania law, failing to report within 21 days can delay benefits, and waiting longer than 120 days can result in a total loss of your right to claim.
• Seek medical care: Tell the doctor exactly how you were hurt and list every symptom, no matter how minor it seems.
• Check for a “Posted List”: If your employer has a list of “panel physicians” posted at your workplace, you are generally required to see one of those doctors for the first 90 days of treatment.
• Document everything: Keep a log of missed work hours, mileage to appointments and any physical restrictions your doctor provides.

Employers And Insurance Companies Have Their Lawyers. Who Will Take Your Side?

Attorney Jeff Dohrmann represents injured Pennsylvania workers. He can help you understand your legal rights and pursue appropriate compensation related to:

• Workplace injuries and occupational diseases
• Construction site accidents, mining accidents and industrial accidents
• Marcellus Shale gas drilling accidents
• Back and neck injuries involving slipped disks, herniated disks or spinal cord damage
• Knee injuries and other joint problems
• Wrist and hand problems such as carpal tunnel syndrome or tendinitis
• Arm injuries, including epicondylitis (tennis elbow)
• Arthritis, including rheumatoid arthritis
• Fibromyalgia
• Hearing loss or loss of vision
• Heart and Lung Act injuries
• Lung, bronchial or neurological problems from exposure to fumes or chemicals
• Stress-related conditions such as depression, anxiety disorders and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• RSV (Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy) and CRPS (Complex Regional Pain Syndrome)
• Burns and chemical burns
• Amputations and loss of use
• Disfigurement and scarring
• Aggravation of underlying or preexisting conditions

Get Your Important Work Comp Questions Answered

Having successfully handled many difficult workers’ comp cases, Jeff can help you answer important questions like:

• How long can I receive benefits?
• Who decides how much I will receive? Can I receive a lump-sum payment?
• Do I have to go where the insurance company says I have to go for medical treatment?
• What if my employer says I can’t have surgery? Can I get a second opinion?
• Will my employer retaliate against me for filing a workers’ comp claim? What if I lose my job?
• How do I deal with the different agencies involved in my case?

To help you understand more about your workers’ compensation rights, here are some specific questions attorney Dohrmann has addressed for others in your situation.

What evidence should I gather to strengthen my workers’ comp claim?

You can add weight to your claim by collecting documentation that shows how the injury occurred, its medical impact and how the condition limits work ability. Thorough evidence can demonstrate the necessary connection between the injury and the workplace.

Helpful evidence includes:

• Medical records that outline diagnoses, treatment and restrictions
• Accident reports that describe the incident and contributing hazards
• Witness statements from co-workers who observed the event
• Photographs of the scene or equipment involved
• Employment records showing wages, duties and missed time
• Written communications from the employer or insurer

Comprehensive documentation helps establish the facts of the claim and reduces the likelihood of delays or denials.

How long can workers’ compensation benefits last in Pennsylvania?

Benefit duration depends on the nature of the injury, the worker’s disability status and whether the insurer challenges ongoing eligibility. Pennsylvania law provides different timelines for wage loss, medical care and specific loss benefits.

Considerations include:

• Total disability benefits may continue while the worker remains unable to perform gainful employment
• Partial disability benefits are generally limited to 500 weeks
• Medical benefits may continue as long as treatment is reasonable and necessary
• Specific loss benefits follow statutory schedules for amputations or permanent loss of function

The length of benefits varies, and workers often need legal guidance to help ensure insurers do not prematurely modify or end payments.

What’s the difference between total disability and partial disability in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania classifies disability based on the worker’s post‑injury earning capacity. These classifications determine the type and amount of wage loss benefits available. Important differences include:

• Total disability applies when the worker cannot perform any gainful employment due to the injury
• Partial disability applies when the worker can work in some capacity but earns less than before the injury
• Total disability may convert to partial disability if an earning capacity is established
• Partial disability benefits are capped at 500 weeks, while total disability benefits do not have the same fixed limit

Our team can guide your claim and help ensure you receive the benefits and financial stability you deserve.

Attorney Jeff Dohrmann

Attorney Jeff Dohrmann joined Rieders, Travis, Dohrmann, Mowrey, Humphrey & Waters as a Litigation Paralegal. He went to law school while working, graduating Magna Cum Laude from Widener University School of Law in 1993. He was admitted to the Pennsylvania and Middle District of Pennsylvania bars in November 1993.

Mr. Dohrmann only represents people. People who have been physically or emotionally injured, at work or in personal injury situations. People who have been wrongfully treated, terminated, harassed or discriminated against at work. People who have had their civil rights violated.

[ Attorney Bio ]