If you’re injured at work in Pennsylvania, you need someone on your side who understands how workers’ compensation works and can help fight for what you’re entitled to.
What Happens When You’re Injured at Work?
Once you’ve reported your injury to your manager or employer, you need to seek medical treatment and document your injuries.
In Pennsylvania, you may need to see a physician that’s approved by your employer. If your employer does have a workplace list of healthcare providers and accepts your injury claim, you must select a provider from the list and use them for at least the first 90 days of treatment. You can change to your preferred healthcare provider after that.
While you’re seeking workers’ compensation, your healthcare provider or doctor will send the relevant information and reports related to your claim to either your employer or their insurance provider. That’s why it’s important for you to tell your employer you are getting medical treatment. Once you receive your benefits, your employer or their insurance company are entitled to ask you to see a physician that they choose for an examination.
What the Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation System Provides
Pennsylvania’s workers’ compensation system includes a list of different benefits, such as:
- Medical benefits – when you receive medical benefits, your employer or their insurance provider pays for all the necessary medical treatment for your workplace injury.
- Lost wages – if you have suffered a partial or total disability due to a workplace injury, you are entitled to claim last wages. You should receive approximately two-thirds of your average weekly wage, up to a maximum weekly rate as set out by the Pennsylvania workers’ comp system.
- Specific loss benefits – if you, unfortunately, lose a body part or require amputation as a result of your workplace accident, you may be eligible for a one-off sum.
- Death benefits – if an employee is killed on the job, their surviving family members may be entitled to burial expenses along with ongoing weekly compensation benefits.
- Illegally employed minor’s benefits – if a minor is employed illegally and is hurt on the job, additional damages may be awarded.
Besides these workers’ compensation benefits, you may be able to bring a third-party lawsuit against someone besides your employer who may be held liable for your accident. For example, the manufacturer of defective machinery.
Illnesses and Injuries Covered by PA Workers’ Compensation
In Pennsylvania, most illnesses and injuries that are caused in the workplace are covered by workers’ compensation, even if the injury is your fault. However, there are a few injuries that aren’t covered, including:
- Injuries caused by alcohol or drugs
- Intentional injuries that are self-inflicted
- Personal injuries, such as physical attacks from co-workers
- Injuries resulting from illegal acts
- Accidents that happen during your commute to or from work
What About Repetitive Motion Injuries Like Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
Provided you’re able to prove that your repetitive motion injuries are job-related, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation for them. These include carpal tunnel and other repetitive motion disorders.
When to See An Attorney
Whether you have concerns or questions about your Pennsylvania worker’s compensation benefits, or if you or your loved ones feel overwhelmed by the whole process and don’t know what to do next, you should get in touch with a knowledgeable workers’ compensation attorney.
Your attorney will offer sound advice and straight forward explanations about your claim. This is the best way for you to move forward when you’re not sure whether or not you have a case, or simply don’t know what you’re entitled to for your workplace injury or illness.
Book a consultation with the experts at Malamut & Associates, LLC today.
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