Nursing and Healthcare Worker Claims

Yes. In Pennsylvania, timely reporting is one of the most important steps in preserving your rights to workers’ compensation benefits. You should report your injury to your employer or supervisor as soon as possible, ideally within 21 days of the incident. The longer you wait, the more likely the insurance carrier will dispute your claim.

Even if your injury seems minor at first- like a small back strain or slight discomfort from lifting- it can worsen over time. Documenting it early helps protect you in case you need medical treatment or wage-loss benefits down the road. We’ve handled numerous cases where delays in reporting gave the employer or insurer an excuse to deny coverage. Don’t let that happen to you.

If you’re unsure how to properly report your injury or what to include, we can help you file the notice correctly and ensure your rights are protected from the very start.

Absolutely. One of the most misunderstood areas of healthcare-related workers’ compensation claims involves injuries caused by aggressive or combative patients. Whether you were kicked, punched, bitten, or suffered a serious fall trying to restrain or assist a patient in distress, you are very likely entitled to full benefits under Pennsylvania law.

We have handled numerous cases involving nurses and aides who suffered serious injuries- torn ligaments, broken bones, shoulder dislocations- after being attacked or injured while trying to do their jobs. These are not uncommon events, and the law recognizes the inherent risks healthcare workers face.

Even if your employer says it’s “part of the job” or tries to downplay the event, you still have rights. Let our experienced team step in, build your case, and pursue the benefits and medical care you need and deserve.

Yes- but with important conditions. In Pennsylvania, your employer may provide a list of designated healthcare providers (a “panel list”) that you must use for the first 90 days of treatment after your injury. After that period, you have the right to choose your own doctor.

However, there are many legal nuances to this rule. For example, if your employer doesn’t present the list properly or get your acknowledgment in writing, you may be able to see your own physician from the beginning. Many injured workers don’t realize this and are wrongly denied coverage when they go outside the panel.

Our attorneys will evaluate whether you’re bound by a panel and fight to ensure you receive the best possible medical care. We’ve confronted insurers countless times when they denied treatment or tried to rush our clients back to work before they were ready.

If you’re being asked to return to work while still in pain or before achieving full recovery, do not go back without consulting an attorney. Employers and insurance carriers often try to reduce their costs by pushing injured employees back to light-duty or modified positions- even when those roles aggravate the injury or exceed your medical restrictions.

We’ve seen this tactic used frequently in healthcare settings, where staff shortages create pressure to get workers back on the floor. But you have rights. If your doctor says you’re not ready, or if you’re being forced to attend an Independent Medical Examination (IME) that contradicts your treating physician, we will challenge those findings and defend your benefits.

At Georgelis, Larsen & Sabatino, we’ll push back against unfair return-to-work notices and take the legal steps necessary to protect your recovery and your financial security.

An IME is a medical evaluation requested by your employer or their insurance company, and it’s often used to limit or terminate your benefits. While the doctor conducting the IME may appear neutral, they’re often selected because of their history of writing reports favorable to insurance carriers.

This doesn’t mean you should refuse the IME- but it’s critical that you understand your rights before you go. Our attorneys will prepare you for the examination, review the doctor’s findings, and dispute any inaccuracies or misleading statements in the report.

We’ve successfully discredited countless IME reports over the years and kept our clients’ benefits intact. If you’ve been scheduled for an IME, call us immediately. We’ll ensure the insurance company doesn’t use the exam as a tool to cut off your care.

It depends on the source of your disability benefits and the specific language of your employer’s policy. In some cases, you can receive both workers’ compensation and short-term disability, but often, one will offset the other. Some private disability policies require repayment or reduce payments if you are also receiving wage-loss benefits through workers’ comp.

We’ll analyze your employment benefits package, insurance policy language, and current situation to ensure you maximize every avenue of financial recovery. Our firm has handled complex coordination of benefits cases for healthcare workers across Pennsylvania. We’ll help you understand what you’re entitled to and prevent the insurance company from taking advantage of you.

Don’t panic- a denial isn’t the end of the road. Many valid workers’ compensation claims are initially denied, often due to clerical errors, missed deadlines, or weak documentation. That’s why it’s essential to act fast.

At Georgelis, Larsen & Sabatino, we’ll file a Claim Petition on your behalf and present medical evidence, expert opinions, and legal arguments before a workers’ compensation judge. We’ve reversed countless denials and won substantial settlements for our clients, even in cases where the odds seemed stacked against them.

Don’t face the system alone. We know how to fight- and win- because we’ve been doing it for decades. Let us review your denial and build a powerful appeal on your behalf.

In many cases, yes- you may have the option to settle your workers’ comp case for a lump-sum payment, also known as a Compromise and Release. This can provide financial certainty and allow you to move on with your life, but it’s not the right choice for everyone.

We’ll evaluate your medical prognosis, your ability to return to work, and the amount being offered. If the settlement doesn’t fairly reflect your future medical needs and lost wages, we will negotiate for more, or advise you not to settle.

Our attorneys have secured millions of dollars in lump-sum payouts for injured healthcare workers. We’ll help you weigh all your options so you can make a confident, informed decision.

Because we don’t just handle workers’ comp cases- we specialize in them, and we’ve been doing it for decades. Our firm has successfully helped thousands of Central PA’s workers, including nurses, aides, and hospital staff, navigate the complex workers’ compensation system.

We know the tactics insurance companies use. We know the ins and outs of Pennsylvania workers’ compensation law. Most importantly, we know how to win. When you hire us, you’re not just getting a lawyer- you’re gaining a team of experienced legal professionals who will fight for every dollar you’re owed.

We never charge a fee unless we win, and we’ll come to you if needed. Call 717-394-3004 today for your free consultation.