Workers’ Compensation in Pennsylvania

On This Page

1. Workers’ Compensation Covers Most PA Workers
2. Benefits Available from Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Coverage
3. Navigating the Workers’ Compensation Claims Process
4. Talk to a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer About Your Claim

REVIEWED BY

C. William Kenny

December 12, 2023

Board certified by National Board of Trial Advocacy

If you get hurt on the job in the Pittsburgh area, your employer should provide you with workers’ compensation coverage to help you cover costs and make ends meet after a workplace injury.

The Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Act ensures most workers in Pennsylvania have access to certain benefits if they suffer an on-the-job injury or work-related illness. These benefits include coverage for all medical treatment as well as partial wage loss benefits if you miss seven days at work or more. Your employer should provide you with PA workers’ compensation coverage either through a private insurer or the State Workers’ Insurance Fund.

Workers’ Compensation Covers Most PA Workers

Under Pennsylvania law, almost all employers must provide workers’ compensation coverage for employees from the moment they go on the payroll. These employees include:

• Full-time workers
• Part-time workers
• Seasonal employees
• Occasional employees

The only exceptions in the Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Act are primarily employees who have similar coverage under other programs, such as federal workers. The vast majority of workers in the Pittsburgh area have some type of insurance coverage they can turn to if they get hurt at work.

Benefits Available from Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Coverage

Workers’ compensation insurance is integral to many injured or sick workers and their families because it provides not only coverage for their medical care but also a paycheck for the time they are away from work. In general, the types of benefits available through workers’ compensation include:

Medical Treatment Coverage

Pennsylvania workers’ compensation benefits include the costs of all medical care and treatment related to the on-the-job injury or work-related illness. Medical coverage begins immediately after the injury and continues until the treating physician releases you from their care. You may, however, need to see a doctor or go to a hospital that is on a list approved by your employer for your initial treatment.

Medical benefits available through workers’ compensation include coverage of:

• Ambulance transportation
• Hospitalization
• Doctor’s outpatient care
• Prescription drugs
• Other medical expenses

Partial Lost Wage Benefits

Lost wages add up quickly when you cannot work. Workers’ compensation insurance should pay out at least two-thirds of your missed paychecks, up to a maximum weekly payout. Partial lost wages benefits begin after seven days of missed work. If you miss 14 or more work days, you will receive the pay from your first week of work missed.

You can continue receiving these payments for an extended period of time if you cannot return to work. When your injury leads to long-term impairment, the insurance company may offer you a lump sum settlement.

Specific Loss Benefits

If your injury or illness led to a permanent loss or disability, you could receive additional compensation related to this loss. These injuries may include:

• Loss of hearing or vision
• Amputation of a limb
• Loss of use of a hand
• Paralysis
• Traumatic brain injuries that affect cognitive abilities

Death Benefits

If your spouse, parent, or child passed away because of their on-the-job accident or illness, workers’ compensation should pay out to cover reasonable costs associated with their funeral and burial or other final arrangements.

Navigating the Workers’ Compensation Claims Process

Get the medical care you need before you worry about filing for workers’ compensation. Go to the hospital or see a doctor approved by your employer. As soon as you are able, notify your employer of your injury or illness in writing. Then, they can give you instructions on filing a claim or file your claim for you.

In most cases, this process should be straightforward. If there are any issues along the way, however, you may need to reach out to a workers’ compensation attorney about your claim.

Talk to a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer About Your Claim

At Berger and Green, our team can help you go after the workers’ compensation benefits you need and deserve after a workplace injury or illness. Our workers’ compensation lawyers can negotiate with the insurance company, enter into alternative dispute resolution, or take legal action to get you the benefits you deserve.

Let us take on the workers’ compensation insurance company if they refuse to pay out the benefits you deserve after you were injured at work or suffered a work-related illness. We will review your case at no cost to you, and handle it based on contingency. You pay us no legal fees until we get a payout in your case.

Call 412-661-1400 to reach someone in our Pittsburgh area office for your free consultation.