Workers’ Compensation for Truck Drivers in Pennsylvania
Truck drivers transport goods and materials across the great state of Pennsylvania and the entire country. Without these hardworking professionals, store shelves would be empty and many of us would not have the supplies we need to do our jobs.
Truckers work tirelessly and in sometimes hazardous conditions. So when a Pennsylvania truck driver gets hurt on the job, they deserve to receive the workers’ compensation benefits they’re owed.
If you are a truck driver who was injured in an accident, we are here to help. Call the skilled workers’ comp attorneys at Calhoon and Kaminsky P.C., today. We have helped truck drivers and other workers recover more than $221 million for their job-related injuries. We will fight for your rights and get you on the road to recovery.
As our case results and client testimonials show, we do everything we can to get positive results for our clients. Let us use our decades of experience to handle your case. We take pride in treating you with the respect and personal attention you deserve.
If you’ve been injured in a PA truck driver accident, our goal is to get you the workers’ compensation you’re owed. Call Calhoon and Kaminsky P.C., today or contact us online to schedule an initial consultation. We won’t charge you a dime for our services unless we help you recover compensation.
Don’t wait to get on the road to recovery. Call Calhoon and Kaminsky P.C., today.
Why Workers’ Comp Claims Can Be Complicated for Truck Drivers
Under Pennsylvania law, employers usually provide workers’ compensation benefits for all of their employees. These benefits cover damages such as medical expenses and wages lost because of work-related injuries.
If you’re a truck driver, you may find it nearly impossible to access these benefits. The reason: employers often misclassify truck drivers as independent contractors. That classification blocks truckers from getting workers’ compensation.
Pennsylvania law generally defines an employee as anyone that works under the direction and control of their employer. On the other hand, independent contractors are not counted as employees. That means employers don’t have to provide as much for them.
To be fair, employers mistakenly classify truck drivers as independent contractors because they don’t understand the law. Employment law varies from state-to-state, and each state has complicated requirements for the benefits that employers must provide.
On the other hand, some employers intentionally misclassify their truckers. That is their way to shift liability for a truck crash and avoid paying workers’ compensation benefits. Below are a list of some of the trucking companies that have headquarters in Pennsylvania:
- FedEx
- UPS
- New England Freight
- Swift
- R+L Carriers
- Pilot Freight Services
- Crete Carrier / Shaffer Trucking
- GFI Transport
- Saia LTL Freight
- Zimmerman Truck Lines
- S & H Express
If you have been injured on the job as a truck driver and work directly with a corporation, you are entitled to workers’ compensation.
How a Truck Driver Workers’ Compensation Attorney Can Help
It is illegal in Pennsylvania to misclassify an employee as an independent contractor. Truckers may not realize their employers have misclassified them until they try to access workers’ compensation benefits.
The days and weeks after a truck crash is the worst time to have to deal with this complicated legal situation. As you recover from an injury, you shouldn’t have to face a confusing legal process to get the benefits you’re owed.
You don’t have to go through this alone. Let our workers’ comp attorneys handle the legal details while you focus on your recovery. Our experienced workers’ compensation lawyers have a deep understanding of Pennsylvania’s laws, rules and regulations. We can take care of difficult employment and workers’ compensation documents for you.
Our lawyer can gather the evidence that you need to show what benefits you’re owed. We can demonstrate the severity and cause of your injuries. Our skilled attorneys can also fill out your workers’ comp paperwork. We will make sure you don’t miss any important details in your claim. We can help ensure that your claim is as complete and persuasive as possible. We can make sure everything is filed on time.
Under Pennsylvania law, employees must tell their employers about work-related injuries within 21 days, and a workers’ comp claim must be filed within three years. After these deadlines, it might be impossible to claim benefits. Our knowledgeable attorneys can help ensure you obtain the compensation you’re owed.
Our attorneys can negotiate with insurance companies to make certain you get the maximum benefits that you deserve. We will fight for your rights in court if a trial is needed. We can also help you file an appeal if your claim is denied.
Common Causes of Truck Driver Injuries
Many truckers have a variety of different duties. Not only do they drive their cargo to locations, they must also ensure items on their trucks are securely loaded and arrive safely. Those responsibilities can expose truck drivers to multiple risks and dangerous situations. Those dangerous situations can result in serious injuries.
Common causes of trucker injuries include:
- Motor vehicle accidents on the road
- Accidents while unloading or loading cargo
- Carrying or lifting heavy items
- Repetitive motion or chronic stress
- Accidents involving the truck itself or parts of the truck, such as straps or doors
- Falls off of the truck or other surfaces
- Getting crushed or hit by objects
- Slip and fall accidents
- Environmental conditions, such as hot warehouses
Common Truck Driver Injuries
Truckers perform many different duties and are vulnerable to a wide range of injuries. Common truck driver injuries include:
- Back and spinal cord injuries
- Broken bones
- Shoulder or rotator cuff injuries
- Internal organ damage
- Amputation
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Lacerations
- Burns
Talk to a Pennsylvania Workers’ Comp Attorney Now
Don’t wait to pursue the workers’ compensation benefits that you’re owed. Contact Calhoon and Kaminsky P.C., today and let us fight for your rights. Call us or contact us online today to set up your free consultation with a knowledgeable worker’s compensation attorney.
