What Do Workers’ Compensation Benefits Cover?
If you have been injured in the workplace in Pennsylvania, it is critical that you understand your rights and the benefits you are entitled to. If you do not know your rights, you may not obtain full benefits, or any benefits at all, which could cause you further harm in the aftermath. Under state law, employers have a legal obligation to compensate employees for the majority of injuries and occupational illnesses, regardless of who caused the accident. In exchange, employees waive their right to file a separate personal injury lawsuit against the employer.
What Benefits are Injured Workers Entitled To?
The workers’ compensation system in Pennsylvania provides many benefits to injured workers. The benefits available are as follows:
- Medical expense benefits, including all reasonable treatments, prescription medications, hospital stays, and more
- Wage loss benefits, which are usually equivalent to two-thirds of the employee’s weekly salary
- Partial disability benefits, if employees must earn a lower wage because of the injury
- Vocational rehabilitation benefits
- Death benefits for dependents of the employee if the injury or illness resulted in the employee’s death
Obtaining the full benefits employees are entitled to is not always easy. A Lehighton workers’ compensation lawyer can help you obtain the full benefits you are entitled to after a workplace illness or injury.
Who is a Dependent Under Workers’ Comp Law?
If you have lost a loved one due to a workplace illness or injury, it is important to know if you are legally defined as a ‘dependent’ under Pennsylvania’s workers’ compensation laws. Under the law, a dependent is defined as:
- The spouse of the employee
- The children of the employee who are under 18 years old, or under 23 years old but are a full-time student
- Any child of the employee who is physically or mentally incapacitated, regardless of their age
- A dependent parent of the employee who relied on the employee for financial support
- Siblings of the employee who are under 18 years old or under 23 years but are a full-time student, if they rely on financial support from the employee
The workers’ compensation death benefits in Pennsylvania include a provision to cover burial costs up to $7,000.
How to Obtain the Full Benefits You Deserve
While injured workers are entitled to certain workers’ compensation benefits, they are not always easy to obtain. To ensure you obtain the full benefits you are entitled to, it is critical that you take certain steps after a workplace accident. First and foremost, seek medical treatment for your injuries. This will help document them and prove the nature and severity of them. Next, report your injury to your employer as soon as possible. While you have 120 days to report a workplace injury, you should report it as soon as you discover you have been injured.
Our Workers’ Compensation Lawyer in Lehighton Can Help You Obtain Full Benefits
At The Law Office of Kim M. Gillen, P.C., our Lehighton workers’ compensation lawyer can help you through the process and ensure you receive the full and fair benefits you are entitled to. Call us now at 484-613-0011 or contact us online to schedule a consultation and to get the legal advice you need.
Source:
pa.gov/agencies/dli/programs-services/workers-compensation.html
