Most workers in Pennsylvania are covered by their employer’s insurance. Let’s look at some scenarios where workers’ comp benefits might be paid.
Elizabeth worked at the local mushroom farm for several years with no problems. Then one day, she was seriously injured in a forklift accident. When doctors told Elizabeth she would be unable to work for several months, she started wondering if workers’ comp benefits could help.
In Pennsylvania, most employees with work-related injuries qualify for workers’ compensation benefits. One of those benefits involves payments for lost wages for:
To qualify, workers must be off work more than seven calendar days. Benefits begin on the eighth day, but the insurance company will pay for the first seven days after the worker is off work for at least 14 days.
Jackie loved the great outdoors, so no one was surprised when she began working as a white water rafting instructor. During a tour, Jackie was seriously injured in an accident. She passed away after several days in the ICU, leaving behind a husband and two children. Because Jackie’s death was work-related, her surviving family might start receiving workers’ comp benefits.
Benefits to the spouse end upon remarriage. Children’s benefits continue until age 18 or age 23 if enrolled full-time in an accredited college, university, or trade school.
The death must have been work-related. Also, workers who were under the influence of drugs or alcohol usually do not qualify for death benefits.
Philip enjoyed working at the local pretzel factory. But then his right arm and hand were crushed while working on the assembly line. His disability was permanent and would seriously limit his ability to work. Philip should qualify for a certain kind of workers’ comp benefit.
Specific loss benefits are paid to workers who:
“… have lost the permanent use of all or part of your thumb, finger, hand, arm, leg, foot, toe, sight, hearing or have a serious and permanent disfigurement on your head, face or neck…”
Pennsylvania workers’ compensation law determines the amount and duration of benefits.
Samuel was a third-generation coal miner. Like many of his family members, he eventually developed black lung or coal workers’ pneumoconiosis (CWP). Since CWP is considered an occupational disease, Samuel should be covered by his employer’s workers’ comp insurance.
Workers’ compensation insurers should pay eligible workers for medical expenses related to their injury. This includes surgery, medical treatment, supplies, hospital stays, orthopedic and prosthetic devices. Employers might be required to pay medical expenses related to a work injury, even if the employee did not lose any work time.
However, the process for filing and receiving approval of workers’ compensation claims in Pennsylvania is complicated. Claimants are required to provide a long list of information in the form of medical records and other necessary documentation. This information must be collected, organized, and presented within certain procedures and deadlines. Powell Law has represented injured workers for 115 years and has a distinguished reputation throughout northeastern Pennsylvania for adhering to the highest standards in serving those injured on the job. Contact Powell Law at (570) 961-0777. The consultation is FREE, and you don’t pay unless we win!
