An injury on the job can turn your life upside down. If you’ve been hurt at work, it’s important to understand your rights and the benefits you’re entitled to receive under Pennsylvania law.
Pennsylvania law provides the right to workers’ compensation benefits for eligible workers who suffer work-related injuries or illnesses.
Enacted more than a century ago, the Pennsylvania Workmen’s (Workers’) Compensation Act and its subsequent amendments established a statewide no-fault insurance program that covers employees regardless of who caused their injury or illness. The Act mandates that virtually all Pennsylvania employers carry workers’ compensation coverage for their employees.
Pennsylvania’s workers’ compensation program provides benefits to workers who get hurt or fall sick on the job. Coverage for these benefits begins on the employee’s first day of work.
If eligible, the worker may receive medical treatment, wage-loss compensation, and vocational rehabilitation. The Act also offers a specific benefit for the surviving loved ones of an employee whose workplace injury or illness led to their death.
Regardless of whether an employee misses work due to an injury or illness, the Workers’ Compensation Act covers their medical treatment costs. Benefits cover hospital treatment and services; services by physicians and other healthcare providers, such as surgery and chiropractic services; orthopedic appliances and prostheses; and prescription medicines and supplies.
The wage-loss benefits under the Act typically amount to approximately two-thirds of an employee’s average weekly wage. It is important to ensure that this average wage is calculated properly.
Specific loss benefits are paid to workers who suffer amputations, vision loss, or hearing loss. Compensation is typically paid in a lump sum based upon a calculation as set forth in the Act.
Workers who sustain injuries that lead to permanent scarring or disfigurement may also be eligible for benefits. Typically, these scarring and disfigurement claims are limited to the face, head, or neck region. Compensation is usually paid in a lump sum based upon a calculation set forth in the Act.
When a workplace accident or illness causes death, certain beneficiaries of the employee may seek death benefits. In these cases, a spouse can receive a percentage of the deceased employee’s average wage. If there are dependents, this rate can increase. Death benefits also extend to assistance with funeral expenses.
It is often the case that other parties on a work site, who are not your employer, may be the cause of your injuries. These “third parties” do not fall under the Pennsylvania Workers Compensation Act. In other words, you can pursue legal action against them for negligently causing the injuries you sustained while on the job.
Determining exactly who was at fault for your workplace injuries and whether or not you can take legal action against them can be extremely complicated and difficult to understand. This is why you need an experienced attorney on your side to help navigate these waters and determine your rights.
The attorneys at DelVecchio & Miller, LLC, will help you investigate your workplace injury and determine whether you may have a workers’ compensation claim, a third-party personal injury lawsuit, or both.
If you or a loved one has suffered a work-related injury or illness, contact DelVecchio & Miller, LLC, today for a consultation. We’ll protect your rights while helping you navigate the state’s complex workers’ compensation system.
