Pennsylvania Workers' Compensation Act
Pennsylvania's Workers' Compensation Act provides benefits to workers who are injured or become ill on the job. The act provides payment for medical expenses and lost wages, and specific compensation if an injury results in permanent disability. If a worker dies on the job, the act provides benefits to his family. The act covers all paid employees in Pennsylvania, including those who work part time or on a seasonal basis.
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Benefits
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All Pennsylvania employers must either pay for workers' compensation themselves or have insurance that covers the benefits. State government employees receive benefits from the State Workers' Insurance Fund. If an employer denies your claim for compensation, you may request a hearing before a state workers' compensation judge. In addition, if you are injured on the job and find out that your employer does not have insurance, you may apply for benefits from the Uninsured Employer Guaranty Fund.
Reporting
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Reporting injuries to your employer promptly improves your chances of receiving benefits. You should also include as many details as possible, such when and where you were injured. Your employer is required to notify the state once you have missed at least one full shift of work. Employers must notify the state of a workplace death within 48 hours.
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Occupational Diseases
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In addition to covering traumatic injuries, the Workers' Compensation Act also provides benefits for workers who have been afflicted with occupational diseases. These diseases can result, for instance, from exposure to hazardous materials such as coal or asbestos. If you left your job before you showed any symptoms, you may still be eligible for benefits. In most cases, the act provides benefits if the disability appears within 300 weeks of a worker's last exposure to harmful substances on the job. The timeline is longer for some lung illnesses, such as silicosis.
Treatment
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If your employer accepts your claim for benefits, it may have a say in how your injury is treated. Employers may post a list of six or more health care providers from which you must choose. The law requires workers to continue treatment for 90 days from their first office visit. If you see a nonapproved doctor during that 90-day period, your employer could stop paying your benefits. However, if your employer does not provide a list of health care providers, or if none of them specialize in the type of treatment you need, you may choose your own doctor.
Eligibility
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Some types of workers are not eligible for benefits if they are injured on the job. The act does not cover, for instance, volunteer workers, some agricultural laborers and domestic employees.
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References
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