Employers in Pennsylvania have to follow many different safety regulations to keep their employees safe while they are working. It is important that employees are safe while working. To help ensure that employers do their part to keep them safe, in addition to requiring companies to follow safety regulations, employers are also required to pay for their employees’ medical costs and lost income if they are injured on the job through workers’ compensation benefits.
Employers generally have to pay workers’ compensation to any employees who are injured while working, regardless of the negligence involved in the accident. There are some exceptions to this rule though and there are certain circumstances under which employers are not required to pay for employees’ injuries.
Exceptions to when employers need to pay workers’ comp benefits
Employers are not required to pay workers’ compensation benefits if the injury was self-inflicted by the employee. They also do not need to pay if the injury occurred as a result of the employee’s illegal activity. If the employee was using illegal drugs or intoxicated by either drugs or alcohol at the time of the accident, the employer is not liable either. The burden of proof is on the employer to prove that the injury was due to one of these exceptions.
Unless the employee falls into one of these exceptions, employers need to pay the benefits. Workers’ compensation benefits include a portion of the employee’s income while they are unable to work. It also includes payment for medical bills that the employee incurs to treat the injury.
As much as employers’ do to prevent accidents, there are many employees in Pennsylvania who suffer injuries while they are working. It is important that employees receive the benefits they deserve because it can create a very difficult situation if they are unable to work as a result of the injury. Experienced attorneys understand the importance of these benefits and can help ensure that employees receive what they deserve.