If you injure yourself at work in Pennsylvania, you will want to know exactly what benefits you are entitled to. We’re here to explain what PA workers’ compensation covers – and does not cover.
If you are unable to do your job because of your work injury, the workers’ comp. insurance company for your employer is required to pay you money – total disability benefits – based on a formula under Pennsylvania workers’ compensation law. These non-taxable benefits will range from 2/3 to 90 percent of the wages you earned for your employer prior to your injury. If you cannot perform your job due to your injury but can do another job, earning less than your regular wages (for example, a part-time or light-duty position), PA workers’ compensation entitles you to partial disability benefits to make up for the difference between your pre-injury weekly wages and your wages in the job that you return to. There is no limit of time on how long you can receive total disability benefits; there is a cap of 500 weeks on your receipt of partial disability benefits.
The insurance company must pay your bills for medical treatment that is related to your work injury. The insurance company can challenge your bills on the basis that the treatment is neither reasonable nor necessary.
If you are unfortunate enough to lose the use of a body part – a finger, a foot, and arm – for all intents and purposes, you are entitled to money, even if you are able to keep doing your job. Likewise, the Pennsylvania workers’ compensation law.provides that you are entitled to benefits if you suffer significant hearing loss or a loss of eyesight if this is caused by your work accident or your work duties.
If you suffer a permanent, unsightly scar or disfigurement to your neck or face, you are entitled to additional money based on the severity of the scar or disfigurement.
The trade off with PA workers’ compensation is that you don’t have to prove that somebody negligently caused your injuries; all you have to show is that it happened at work. On the flip side, you will not be entitled to additional money for pain and suffering. However, if you injure yourself at work due to the negligence of a third-party (for example, you were driving for your job and another vehicle rear-ended you), you could pursue a workers’ comp. claim against your employer and a lawsuit against the third party; you potentially can receive money for pain and suffering in that case.
If you are injured at work and need a workers’ compensation attorney near me, please contact Pearson Koutcher Law for a free comprehensive consultation. Workers’ comp. is all we do, and one of our experienced, highly skilled lawyers will represent you and help you obtain all the benefits you’re entitled to under the law.