Workers’ Compensation for Wilkes-Barre Nurses Injured by Combative Patients
Workers’ Compensation for Wilkes-Barre Nurses Injured by Combative Patients
Helping Nurses, Doctors, EMTs, Home Health Aides, and others secure Wilkes-Barre Workers’ Compensation Benefits
In Wilkes-Barre hospitals it happens more than most people think. A nurse turns a patient, helps with meds, or tries to stop a fall, and suddenly gets hit or kicked. Sometimes it is confusion, sometimes pain, sometimes fear. It still leaves injuries. A cracked wrist from blocking a swing, a pulled shoulder from holding someone upright, bruises that take weeks to fade. We have talked with nurses from Wilkes-Barre General and Geisinger Wyoming Valley who just wanted to finish a shift but ended up in the emergency room instead.
When that kind of injury happens on the job, it belongs under Pennsylvania workers’ compensation. It should not be a fight, but often it turns into one. Reports get questioned, paperwork drags, and some nurses are told to come back before they can lift again. The Belt Law Firm, P.C., helps when that happens. We collect the details from the incident report, speak with witnesses, and press the claim until the benefits are approved.
If you were hurt by a patient while working in a Wilkes-Barre hospital, call The Belt Law Firm, P.C. at (570) 714-3343. We will go over what happened and make sure your claim is treated the way the law intends.
Common Nurse Injuries from Combative Patients in Hospitals and Healthcare Facilities
Broken fingers. Pulled shoulders. Bruised ribs. Strained backs. We see this all the time from nurses working in Wilkes-Barre hospitals. Most of the time, the story starts the same way. A nurse tries to calm a patient at Wilkes-Barre General or helps someone stand at Geisinger Wyoming Valley. The patient panics, throws a punch, or grabs too hard. In a second, a nurse is hurt and off the floor.
When that happens, it should be covered under workers’ compensation. This is part of the job, and the law in Pennsylvania recognizes that. But getting help isn’t always easy. Hospitals question the report, or insurance says the story doesn’t fit.
If a patient hurts you while you were doing your job, call The Belt Law Firm, P.C. at (570) 714-3343.
Can CNAs or RNs Attacked by Patients Receive Workers’ Comp Benefits For Their Injuries?
Yes! If a certified nursing assistant (CNA) or registered nurse (RN) is injured by a patient while on the job, the CNA or RN may file a workers’ compensation claim. We see it all the time in Wilkes-Barre. A nurse at Geisinger Wyoming Valley hurts her back helping a patient to a chair. Someone at Wilkes-Barre General slips outside a patient room. Another gets hit trying to calm a confused resident at Riverstreet Manor. These are real injuries that happen during real shifts, and under Pennsylvania law they belong in the workers’ compensation system.
The law covers your medical care and part of your pay while you heal, but the process does not always go smoothly. Reports sit on desks. Insurance adjusters drag things out. Some nurses are told to come back before they can lift again.
Nurses deserve the same care and consideration regarding their injuries as they provide to their own patients. Contact The Belt Law Firm, P.C. at (570) 714-3343, and let us get to work for you.
Why Insurance Companies Often Push Back on Nurse Injury Claims
Insurance companies push back on nurse injury claims because paying benefits costs them money. It’s that simple. They question how the injury happened, claim it was a preexisting problem, or say it didn’t occur at work. Sometimes they downplay the severity or order repeated “independent medical exams” just to delay things. In hospitals like Geisinger Wyoming Valley or Wilkes-Barre General, nurses are constantly lifting, twisting, and rushing. When an injury happens, insurers look for any reason to call it wear and tear. The longer they stall, the more likely it is that a nurse gives up or goes back to work before healing.
Under Pennsylvania law, this should not happen. If you were hurt while doing your job, whether moving a patient, stopping a fall, or being struck during a shift, you are entitled to workers’ compensation. The Belt Law Firm, P.C., steps in when insurance companies start playing games. We know their tactics, and we know how to stop them. Our job is to move your claim forward and make sure you receive every benefit you are owed.
If you are a nurse in Wilkes-Barre facing delays or a denied claim, call The Belt Law Firm, P.C. at (570) 714-3343.
Protecting Healthcare Workers After On-the-Job Injuries in Pennsylvania
When a nurse is punched, kicked, bitten, or shoved by a patient, the physical and emotional impact can be significant. Workers’ compensation is there to pay for medical care and replace lost wages while the nurse recovers.
The process, however, is rarely simple. Hospitals and their insurance carriers often question how the incident happened or delay approval of treatment. Some nurses face denied claims or pressure to return to work before they are ready. At The Belt Law Firm, P.C., we help Wilkes-Barre nurses who have been hurt by combative patients navigate this process, meet all deadlines, and secure the benefits they are owed under Pennsylvania law.
Talk to a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer for Nurses Injured by Combative Patients
With decades of experience and having recovered millions of dollars in damages and settlements for our clients, you can feel confident in your legal representation when you choose our firm to advocate for your rights. We are proud to offer 100% free consultations to nurses, doctors, and other healthcare providers across the state
For Spanish-speaking or immigrant workers in the Lehigh Valley healthcare system, we provide bilingual support to ensure language is never a barrier to justice.
Maximizing Results for Injured Workers
Our Pennsylvania workers’ compensation attorneys have recovered more than
$47.5 million
for injured workers.
$252,000
for a truck driver
$175,000
for a machine operator
$152,500
for a union steelworker
$150,000
for a union car hauler
More Case Verdicts
Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.
Trusted Wilkes-Barre Workers’ Comp Lawyer
Frequently Asked Questions About Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation
I have been injured at work. What should I do?
Report the injury to your employer as soon as possible and obtain any necessary medical treatment.
What happens if I do not tell my employer about my injury?
If the injury is not reported within 120 days, you will lose the right to file for compensation. You cannot legally be fired for reporting a work injury.
What happens next in the workers’ compensation process?
The employer reports your injury to their workers’ compensation insurer. If the insurance carrier accepts your claim, they will calculate any compensation owed and make payment. If your claim has not been accepted within 21 days of providing notice of the injury to your employer, your claim is likely denied.
My employer denied my claim. What do I do next?
If you receive a notice of denial, you can file a Claim Petition with the Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Bureau. Your Petition will be assigned to a Workers’ Compensation Judge. The Judge will schedule hearings, and both sides will be provided the opportunity to present evidence. If the claim is not voluntarily resolved, the judge will issue a Decision.
How long do I have to file a claim petition?
In most cases you have up to three years from the date of injury to file a Claim Petition.
What injuries are covered by workers’ compensation?
Any injury or illness that is work-related. It could be a fall, a burn or other workplace incident. It also covers occupational illnesses and repetitive stress injuries that develop over time from toxic exposures or the rigors of the job.
What benefits are provided by workers’ compensation?
Workers’ compensation insurance covers all medical expenses stemming from your work injury. Workers’ comp pays wage loss benefits until you are able to go back to work. If you suffer an amputation or disfigurement to your face or neck, you may be entitled to additional disability benefits (even if you are still able to work).
Should I settle my workers’ compensation claim?
Taking a lump-sum settlement may or may not make sense for your situation. You should get legal counsel before agreeing to a settlement.
Do I need a lawyer?
Workers’ compensation is a complex process. If you fail to follow specific steps and timelines, you risk damaging your claim or not getting the full spectrum of compensation available. Speak with an attorney to ensure your rights are protected.
What does it cost to hire a workers’ compensation lawyer?
There is no upfront or out-of-pocket cost to you. We provide a free initial consultation. You do not pay any legal fees unless and until we recover benefits for you.
Do you have a work-related injury? Please give us a call in Kingston at 570-714-3343, in Hazleton at 570-535-3343 or contact us online. Belt Law Firm, P.C., serves injured workers in Luzerne County and the surrounding communities of northeast Pennsylvania.
Here are some of the most common questions we are asked. If you can’t find an answer here, please contact us. We’ll be happy to assist you and answer your questions.
