Nobody wants to think about being injured on the job, but the truth is accidents happen. If you are injured at work, you may face expensive medical bills, lost wages and an extended recovery which can impact your life and the lives of those who depend on you. To help ease these burdens, workers’ compensation benefits are available to eligible individuals.
Workers’ comp is a form of insurance that provides replacement wages and medical coverage to employees who are injured at work. Under Pennsylvania law, coverage for workers’ compensation is mandatory for most employers. Any employee who was injured in Pennsylvania is covered by the Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Act.
What Injuries Does Workers’ Comp Cover?
Many people believe only injuries received during a workplace accident (i.e. a broken leg due to slipping on a wet floor) are covered by workers’ compensation. However, this is not true. Individuals who are injured due to long-term physical activity or exposure to harmful material may also be eligible for workers’ comp benefits.
It is important to understand individuals can collect workers’ compensation benefits even if their injury did not occur on their employer’s property. For example, if a construction worker is on the highway traveling to inspect a jobsite and is involved in a car accident, resulting injuries may be covered by workers’ comp.
There are several types of on-the-job injuries that may be covered by workers’ compensation including:
- Back injuries
- Neck injuries
- Arm, leg and knee injuries
- Broken bones and fractures
- Herniated disks
- Burns and lacerations
- Brain injuries and other head trauma
- Electrocution
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Chronic pain/stress injuries
- Heart attacks
For a full list of injuries covered under workers’ compensation or to find out if you could receive benefits for your work-related injury, connect with one of our experienced workman comp attorneys today for a FREE consultation.
What Expenses Will Workers’ Comp Benefits Cover?
Workers’ compensation benefits provide financial support to individuals who are injured at work and face expensive medical bills, lost wages and more. Workers’ comp covers the following:
- Lost wages. After being injured on the job, one of the most common concerns is lost wages. Time off work can place a huge financial burden on the injured as well as their family. Individuals who miss out on time at work due to their injury may receive compensation to ensure they can continue to pay their bills and provide for their family.
- Medical care. Workers’ comp benefits also cover medical expenses, which can include the cost of emergency room or doctor’s office visits, surgery, medicine, supplies and orthopedics to name a few. Although these expenses are often covered by either the employee or employer’s insurance company, any out-of-pocket expenses must be paid for by the employer in the case of a qualifying injury. It is important to note employers can require an injured employee to visit an approved doctor, so be sure to speak with your employer to confirm your medical provider is on the list.
- Specific loss benefits. When a serious accident occurs, individuals may face permanent injuries such as amputations or scaring in visible areas, such as the face and neck. In these cases, no amount of time will make the injury better. This is where specific loss benefits come in. Specific loss benefits are not based on an individual’s time off work or lost wages. Cases related to these types of injuries are complex and it’s important to have an experienced workers’ comp lawyer on your side who understands the complexities of these cases and can help you get the benefits you deserve.
- Death benefits. Under workers’ compensation law, if a work-related injury results in death, the surviving spouse and/or dependents may receive compensation. Death benefits not only cover funeral expenses, but they also provide dependents with payments, which are calculated based on a percentage of the employee’s wages before death.
Get A Fighter on Your Side
The workers’ compensation process is complex and can feel overwhelming. If you are injured on the job, don’t fight alone. Get an experienced Gettysburg, Hanover or York workers’ comp lawyer on your side to stand up for your rights and guide you through the process. It’s especially important to reach out to an attorney if your employer refuses to submit your injury report, which is against the law, or if your employer denies responsibility for your injury, which may require you to file a claim petition. To ensure your rights are protected and you receive full compensation, get in touch to speak with an attorney today. Consultations are always free and we’re available 24/7.