by Karl Voigt, June 19, 2025
Summer starts tomorrow – and with it, long hours, heavy lifting, and dangerous heat. Whether you’re roofing under the sun, driving long shifts with no A/C, or pulling freight in a sweltering warehouse, summer is prime time for workplace injuries. If you get hurt on the job, don’t assume your employer or their insurance company will do the right thing. They often don’t – and that’s where knowing your rights makes all the difference. If you’ve been hurt at work – whether in Reading, Kutztown, Boyertown, or anywhere in Berks County, you probably have a lot of questions: How long will I be out? Who’s going to pay the bills? Do I need a lawyer?
Here’s the truth: your employer and their insurance company are not looking out for you. They’re focused on saving money – which often means rushing you back to work, denying medical care, or offering a lowball settlement.
This happens all the time to hardworking people in Berks County – especially in construction, warehouses, manufacturing, and transportation. You’re not alone, and you don’t have to take whatever they offer.
You Have Rights in Pennsylvania. Use Them.
If you were injured on the job – even if it was “your fault” – you’re entitled to workers’ compensation benefits under Pennsylvania law. That includes medical care and wage loss benefits.
But time is critical. If you don’t report your injury right away or if you unknowingly sign away your rights, you could lose out permanently.
What the Insurance Company Doesn’t Want You to Know
The adjuster may sound friendly, but they’re not your friend. Adjusters are trained to be that way, but in practice they might delay authorizing care, question your doctor’s opinion, or deny your claim outright. Some Berks County employers even pressure injured workers to return to work too soon, which can worsen the injury or even cause new ones.
That’s where having a local workers’ comp attorney can make all the difference. We help people like you:
• Get their treatment and prescriptions approved
• Maximize their wage loss checks
• Fight denials or forced returns to work
This Is Your Livelihood. Don’t Wait
We see it every week: warehouse workers from Hamburg, HVAC techs from Exeter, truck drivers from Fleetwood – all under pressure to “tough it out” after getting hurt. But now more than ever, with costs rising and employers pushing back, you need someone in your corner.
All workers’ compensation consults with our office are free.
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