Ed Sweeney
Franny Ryan
Most workers in Pennsylvania and throughout the country are entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. These benefits supplement an injured worker’s current and future income. In Pennsylvania, there is a time limit on filing a workers’ compensation claim. A worker has 21 days to report an injury or illness to their employer and 120 days to file. It is best to report an injury or illness immediately to be eligible for compensation.
Benefits will cover medical care, such as doctors’ appointments, surgeries, medications, and other medical necessities. In some cases, medical aid devices and equipment, like braces, walkers, and wheelchairs will also be covered. Contact your employer to find out if you need authorization for certain medical treatments or if you need to see a specific doctor or specialist.
Rehabilitation benefits help with care related to your recovery, including physical therapy and vocational rehabilitation, which will help you relearn certain job tasks. If you can no longer do your original job, some states provide occupational and vocational rehabilitation to help you find something new.
Temporary total disability benefits are for individuals who cannot go back to work immediately because of a work injury or illness. There is a short waiting period until you can start to collect, you can expect to receive around two-thirds of your average weekly income.
In some cases, an injured worker can still work despite their injury; this is called temporary partial disability. You can resume working part-time while collecting benefits equal to two-thirds of the income you are missing for the hours you cannot work.
You can collect temporary disability benefits until your doctor clears you to return to work full-time or if you have reached the maximum limits of benefits allowed in your state. If your doctor determines you are no longer expected to improve, you would be considered permanently disabled and would not be able to receive temporary partial disability.
If you have a permanent impairment but it does not keep you from working, you may be eligible to receive a permanent partial disability award. This is only possible if your disability limits you from doing certain kinds of work or if you had surgery for your injury. Your workers’ compensation insurance policy specifies the amount for a permanent partial disability award, though your employer may try to settle with you for less. It is always a good idea to discuss your options with a skilled employment law attorney before accepting any settlement.
Also called a lifetime pension, these benefits are for workers who become permanently and totally disabled due to a work injury or occupational disease. To receive a life pension, you must have exhausted all possible treatment options without potential for improvement. Injuries that are generally considered permanently and totally disabling include traumatic head injuries, amputation of the hands, and paralysis.
These are additional benefits for workers suffering permanent impairments or disfigurements; the benefits will cover required care for the foreseeable future and the regular cost of living expenses that your income previously covered.
Death benefits compensate the immediate family members of someone who has passed away after a work accident or illness, replacing the income their loved one once provided. Benefits are paid out in monthly installments or a single lump sum, depending on the state where the accident occurred.
We represent clients throughout Chester County, Lancaster County and Delaware County including but not limited to Downingtown, West Chester, Exton, Coatesville, Phoenixville, Malvern, Lyndell, Wagontown, Uwchland, Parkesburg, Chester Springs.
