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Workplace injuries occur all the time throughout the state of Pennsylvania. Often, these workplace injuries are relatively minor, and injured workers are able to get back to their job fairly quickly. However, it is not uncommon for employees to sustain injuries severe enough to keep them from going to work each day. Any person who sustains a work injury needs to know that there are time limits dictating how long they have to file a work injury claim. Failing to file a claim within the required time limits in Pennsylvania could result in a worker not being able to receive the compensation they deserve.

What is the statute of limitations for workers’ compensation claims in Pennsylvania?

When most people hear of a “statute of limitations,” they think of personal injury claims filed in civil court. However, while Pennsylvania workers’ compensation claims are a bit different than civil personal injury lawsuits, there are still deadlines that apply for filing a claim.

There are a few timelines that injured workers need to be aware of when they are seeking compensation. First, injured workers have a duty to notify their employers that they have sustained an on-the-job injury. The employer must be notified of the injury within 120 days from the date the injury occurs or from when the employee knows they have been injured or become ill. If an employer is not notified within this 120-day timeframe, the claimant will be barred from receiving any compensation. In reality, injured workers need to alert their employer as soon as they know they have sustained an injury or illness caused by their workplace duties.

Additionally, there is an overall statute of limitations involved in workers’ compensation claims in Pennsylvania. After an employer is notified, the injured worker still needs to ensure that their workers’ comp claim is filed within three years from the date the injury occurred. Failing to file the workers’ comp claim within this three-year timeframe will result in the injury victim is unable to recover any compensation at all.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were around 2.8 million non-fatal workplace injuries or illnesses across the US during the latest year of data available. Many of these injuries are going to occur around the Philadelphia area, so be sure that you get your work injury claim filed on time if you are harmed.

Contact our team for a free consultation

If you or somebody you care about has sustained an on-the-job injury in Philadelphia or the surrounding areas, you need to work with a skilled attorney as soon as possible. At Gross & Kenny, LLP, our qualified team has extensive experience handling these cases, and we are ready to help you secure the compensation you deserve, including coverage of your medical bills, lost wages, and possible disability benefits. We understand the time limits involved in work injury cases, and our goal is to ensure you are properly cared for. When you need a Philadelphia workers’ compensation attorney, you can contact us for a free consultation of your case by clicking here or calling 215-512-1500.