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Injured at Work in Pennsylvania? Here's What to Do

Published April 11, 2026  |  6 min read

You got hurt at work. Maybe you fell off a ladder, strained your back lifting something heavy, or got hit by a piece of equipment. Right now you're in pain, you're confused, and you don't know what happens next. That's okay. You're going to be okay — but what you do in the next few hours and days matters a lot.

Here's exactly what to do, step by step.

Step 1: Get Medical Attention Immediately

Your health comes first. Everything else — paperwork, phone calls, your boss — can wait.

• If it's an emergency, call 911 or go to the ER. Don't hesitate. Broken bones, head injuries, deep cuts, trouble breathing — get help now.
• Tell the doctor your injury happened at work. This is critical. It needs to be in your medical records from the very first visit. If it's not documented as a work injury from the start, it becomes much harder to get benefits later.
• Know about the 90-day panel rule. In Pennsylvania, for the first 90 days after your injury, your employer can require you to see a doctor from their approved list (called a "panel"). If they have a posted list of at least six physicians, you must choose from that list for the first 90 days. After that, you can see any doctor you want.

Step 2: Report the Injury to Your Employer — In Writing

This is where people make their biggest mistake. They tell their supervisor verbally and assume that's enough. It's not. Put it in writing.

• Report within 21 days to receive benefits from the date of your injury. If you wait longer, your benefits may only start from the date you reported.
• You must report within 120 days or you lose eligibility for workers' comp entirely. Don't let this deadline pass.
• Email is fine. Send a message to your supervisor, HR, or both. Include: the date of the injury, the time, the location, and exactly what happened.
• Keep a copy for yourself. Screenshot the email, save it to your personal account, print it — whatever it takes. If your employer later claims you never reported it, you need proof.

Step 3: Document Everything

The more evidence you have, the stronger your claim. Start documenting right away — even if you're still at work, even if you're in pain.

• Take photos of the hazard that caused your injury, your injuries themselves, and the scene where it happened.
• Get contact info for witnesses. If coworkers saw what happened, ask for their names and phone numbers. Their statements can be critical later.
• Keep a daily journal. Write down your pain levels, symptoms, what you can and can't do, how the injury affects your daily life and sleep. This kind of contemporaneous record is powerful evidence.
• Save all medical records and bills. Every doctor visit, prescription, therapy session, imaging scan — keep copies of everything.

Step 4: Don't Sign Anything Without Reading It Carefully

After a workplace injury, your employer or their insurance company may ask you to sign documents. Be very careful.

• They may pressure you to sign a statement that downplays your injury or suggests you were at fault.
• They may offer a quick settlement — often far less than your claim is actually worth. Once you sign, you give up your right to additional benefits.
• If anyone puts a document in front of you and says "just sign this," slow down. Read every word. Better yet, have an attorney review it first.

Step 5: Understand Your Rights

Pennsylvania workers' comp law protects you. Here's what you need to know:

• You cannot be fired for filing a workers' comp claim. Retaliation is illegal. If your employer threatens you, demotes you, or fires you for filing, you have legal recourse. Learn more about your protections.
• Your medical bills should be covered. All reasonable and necessary medical treatment related to your work injury should be paid by your employer's workers' comp insurance — including doctor visits, surgery, prescriptions, physical therapy, and medical devices.
• You may be entitled to wage loss benefits. If you can't work (or can only do limited work), you may receive about two-thirds of your average weekly wage, tax-free.
• For a full breakdown of how the system works, read our guide: How Workers' Comp Works in Pennsylvania.

Step 6: Talk to a Workers' Comp Attorney

You don't need an attorney for every workplace injury. But you should talk to one if:

• Your claim is denied or delayed
• Your employer is pressuring you not to file
• You have a serious injury that will keep you out of work for weeks or months
• You're being offered a settlement and don't know if it's fair
• Your employer doesn't have workers' comp insurance (which is illegal in PA, but it happens)

Workers' comp attorneys work on contingency — meaning there's no upfront cost. They only get paid if you receive benefits. There's no financial risk in getting a professional evaluation of your case.

Common Mistakes After a Workplace Injury

These are the mistakes we see over and over. Don't make them:

• Waiting too long to report. The 21-day and 120-day deadlines are real. Every day you wait makes your case harder.
• Not seeing a doctor — or waiting days or weeks to get checked out. Insurance companies will use the gap against you.
• Telling your employer "I'm fine" and continuing to work through the pain. This creates a record that suggests you weren't really injured.
• Not documenting anything. No photos, no notes, no records. When it's your word against the insurance company's, evidence wins.
• Trusting your employer's insurance company to look out for you. They're not on your side. Their job is to minimize what they pay. Be polite, but protect yourself.

Quick Reference Checklist

• Get medical attention immediately — tell the doctor it happened at work
• Report the injury to your employer in writing (within 21 days)
• Take photos of the scene, the hazard, and your injuries
• Get witness names and contact information
• Keep a daily symptom journal
• Save all medical records and bills
• Don't sign anything without reading it carefully
• Don't accept a quick settlement without legal advice
• Talk to a workers' comp attorney — it costs nothing upfront

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Every case is different. For guidance specific to your situation, consult with a licensed attorney.