You Must Prove That The Heart Attack Is Actually Work-Related
The issue with filing for workers’ compensation for a heart attack is that you must establish that the heart attack itself was work-related. Proving that your heart attack is, in fact, work-related can be difficult – if not impossible. The law will require that you establish that some sort of unusual or extraordinary physical exertion, strain or condition during the course of regular employment led to the heart attack itself and that no private contributing factors could equally be to blame.
Just because you had a heart attack at work does not mean it was work-related. You must be in the middle of a work event and show that your employment contributed to the injury or aggravating a pre-existing condition in a way that led to your heart attack. An employer can also argue that you are not eligible for benefits because of your dietary habits and overall physical condition
They can state that these aggravated the condition, not the employment and that it led to your heart attack. However, if you can also prove that the stress of your job aggravated your condition and triggered a heart attack, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits under the law.
Key Points to Remember About Proving Your Heart Attack Was an On the Job Injury:
- You must establish that your heart attack was in fact work-related.
- Diet and other mitigating factors could be an issue – especially if it can be established that your poor diet choices or overall physical health contributed to the attack in some way.
For example, if you were required to work 14 hours straight during a holiday rush and had to run back and forth, lift heavy objects and take limited breaks, you could suffer from a heart attack which would be work-related.
Hire A Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Attorney First
Because of the inherent complexity in this type of claim, you should contact a workers’ compensation attorney in the state right away. An attorney will help establish that your heart attack was, in fact, work-related and may need to enlist the help of medical professionals to prove as such.
The attorneys at McMenamin & Wing can assist you with your workers’ compensation claim, no matter where in Pennsylvania it occurred. If you had a heart attack due to the stressful nature of your employment (whether physical or emotional), we can help fight for your right to collect compensation under the law.
Heart attack claims, while possible, are extremely difficult to prove. Therefore, you need the assistance of an experienced workers’ compensation attorney to help meet your burden of proof not only for the insurer but the state as well. Contact McMenamin & Wing today regarding your case at
(215) 576-7600 or fill out an online contact form with your concerns.