The wages that employees earn in Pennsylvania and elsewhere are necessary to maintain their lifestyle. Thus, when a workplace injury or illness causes them to be out of work, this could significantly impact them financially and be detrimental to their livelihood.
Filing for workers’ compensation benefits seems like a straightforward process; however, issues could arise, and a denial could occur. While filing an appeal is an option, it is important to not only understand the steps of the process but also the benefits you are entitled to.
Pennsylvania workers’ comp laws
Workers’ compensation laws in Pennsylvania provides specific deadlines and the rights and obligations of an employer. To begin, an employee has 21 days to report their work-related injury to their employer. On or after the 7th day following the injury, the employee and employer may make an agreement for compensation. Also, the injured employee has 3 years to file a claim for benefits.
With regards to the employer rights and obligations, employers are required to provide workers’ compensation to all employees. Additionally, in matters covered by workers’ compensation, an employer is shielded from liability. Finally, an employer has the right to request that an injured employee be examined at a designated provider at the employer’s expense.
Types of benefits
Various types of benefits are afforded when a claim for workers’ compensation is made. To begin, health care expenses are covered. This includes doctor visits, surgery, medications, medical equipment, lab tests and other related medical expenses. An employee could receive partial disability payments.
This is used to compensate an employee that is unable to work at full capacity. There is a time limit for this benefit, which is 500 weeks. Similarly, the injured employee could seek total disability payments, which is used to compensate an employee that is unable to return to work. There are no time restrictions with this.
Another type of benefit is permanent injury payments. This helps compensate the employee for a loss of a body part. The duration of this benefit varies. Finally, death benefits are available to a spouse and minor dependents if an employee dies from a work-related injury or illness within 300 weeks following the reported incident.
Workers’ compensation benefits can be very valuable and crucial following a workplace injury. Thus, it is important to understand the process to receive these benefits, and what can be done if your initial filing is denied.