Been injured on the job?

You might be eligible for workers' compensation, benefits paid for work-related injury or illness.

In Pennsylvania, those benefits include medical expenses and wage-loss compensation until you're able to go return to work.

Attorney Drew Gannon of Katherman, Briggs and Greenberg has been practicing in the field of workers' compensation for the past 18 years, representing those who have been denied benefits or have questions about the compensation they are receiving.

On Friday, Gannon answered reader questions on a live chat.Here's some dialogue from the conversation:

Q: What is the weirdest workers' compensation claim you have seen? A: There have been some unusual cases involving the manner in which someone becomes injured. I had a client who hurt himself in the bathroom -- a significant back injury -- which was compensable.

Q: What are the most common types of injuries you see from clients in the York area?

A: Most of the injuries I see involve the back, shoulders or knees. With a lot of factories in the area, I also see a lot of repetitive trauma injuries, such as hand or elbow problems from constantly doing the same action over and over.


Q: Can I sue my company as a result of an injury?

A: Unlike a personal injury case, there is no claim to be made for pain and suffering in workers' compensation cases, and injured employees often ask if they can pursue a separate claim of negligence against their employer (for instance, if the employer removed a safety guard from a machine that led to an injury). Unfortunately, the answer is no.

The Workers' Compensation Act is clear that employers are immune from a separate lawsuit. There is one exception: You can sue if you are subsequently fired for the sole reason of having had an injury.

Q: If I file a workers' compensation claim, is anyone going to follow-up with me? Investigate me? Etc.

A: If you are currently out of work on workers' compensation, the insurance carrier may send someone out to either meet with you for an update, or they may hire a private investigator to conduct surveillance, to make sure you are not engaging in activities contrary to your limitations.

Q: Am I entitled to benefits if my job aggravates a preexisting medical condition?

A: The short answer is yes.

For instance, it is common as we age that we develop arthritis in our joints. If you have a repetitive job which aggravates your arthritis, that can be compensable ... It would ultimately be up to the workers' compensation judge to sort out any conflicting medical opinions.; 771-2062

Got an idea for a live chat?

Is your business interesting?

Is there someone in the community you'd like to chat with?

Contact business reporter Lauren Boyer at, 717-771-2062 or on Twitter at @laurenboyer.

Chats occur every Friday at 10 a.m. and last about an hour.

Join our next live chat: Romance and finance

Money can't buy love, but it can sometimes destroy it.

Numerous studies show that finances are the top reason couples argue.

Are you getting married this summer? Do you argue with your husband over spending?

Chat live with David Welber, a York-based CPA, about how to handle these issues and more.

To join the conversation, visit at 10 a.m. June 1 and click the link to join the online chat.

Business reporter Lauren Boyer will moderate the discussion. For details, call 717-771-2062 or email