Workers Compensation

Most workers who get hurt on the job are just like you - they have families to take care of. And, if you are reading this page, odds are you or someone you know has recently suffered an injury during a work shift and probably don’t have time to focus on all of that legal jargon that is sometimes confusing. At this point, all you want to know is if your is going to stand by your side, and provide you with the amount of workers compensation benefits that you need and rightfully deserve. If that’s the case, then read on.

Let’s start by getting a straight-forward understanding of what workers compensation really is, and how it will help you while you are out of work. Following the Pennsylvania Worker’s Compensation Act (PWCA), it doesn’t matter whether you are a full-time, part-time, or a seasonal employee – you still qualify for your benefits while you recover from your injury or work-related illness. The key to receiving benefits is simply reporting the incident to your employer as soon as possible.

Until you give your employer notice, no compensation is due. That being said, it’s important that you let them know early. The Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry delineates that you’ve likely been covered since your first day on the job under PWCA. As long as you know that the injury or illness wasn’t intentionally self-inflicted, caused by the use of illegal drugs, or due to intoxication, then you have nothing to worry about. Your worker’s compensation (which includes hospital care, payment for lost wages, and death benefits) is normally payable from the first day of your injury. And, if you have had an accident on the job where you were permanently injured, then you are even entitled to a specific loss award due to the severity of your case.

The main thing recently injured workers like you want to know is exactly when they will receive their wage-loss benefits under the PWCA. The answer is 7 calendar days, and yes, Saturdays and Sundays count. Your worker’s compensation disability benefits are payable on the 8^th day. Then, after 14 calendar days have passed, you’ll be paid for the first week that you had to wait initially.

When you do start receiving your benefits from your employer, you should know that there is really no set time limit on them. You can collect them until you feel that you are healthy enough to return to work, or until your case is settled. This may be news to you, seeing as how many employers may try to find various ways to reduce or halt your benefits. This is unlawful, and as long as you are out of work you are entitled to at least 2/3 or your normal weekly wages. In some cases injured workers can receive more than that, even up to 90% or their normal pay.

But still, as you heal from your on-the-job injury or illness, keep in mind that workers compensation is not exactly the same as disability, social security, or unemployment benefits. This is the area where your employer may get a little leeway in your workers compensation payouts, being that if you receive any of those three types of payments then your job may have the option to pay you less. This is not to say that there aren’t cases where all four of these sorts of benefits cannot be integrated. This is where your helpful attorney comes into play.

The Law Office of Cyrus Shaw is dedicated to getting you all of the workers compensation benefits that you deserve. Even if you aren’t planning on suing your employer, there are other parties that may have been involved with your job-related injury or illness, and you may be entitled to more than you think.