Pennsylvania State Workers’ Compensation Laws and Regulations

Workers’ compensation benefits work differently from financial damages in personal injury lawsuits. In a standard injury claim, victims can pursue compensation for multiple types of losses. 

For instance, injury victims in negligence cases can seek compensation for personal and intangible harms. These are known as “non-economic” damages. 

Some examples of non-economic damages include payments to compensate for:  

• Physical pain and anguish
• Emotional distress and turmoil
• Anxiety, depression, and panic disorder
• Loss of quality of life
• Embarrassment
• Ostracization 

However, workers’ compensation payments do not extend to cover this type of loss. Earned benefits are intended only to make up for the financial costs associated with the workplace accident. 

In a standard civil claim, these payments are known as “economic” damages. Some of the losses that workers’ comp payments make up for are:

Medical Bills

Injured workers who file successful workers’ comp claims are not required to pay for necessary medical care. Earned benefits typically cover the following types of care and treatment costs: 

• Hospital stays
• Ambulance rides
• Travel associated with medical needs
• Necessary surgeries
• Prescription medication expenses
• Diagnostic labs and tests 

Injured employees are not required to pay a medical co-pay or any other treatment fee. However, greedy insurance providers may attempt to deny you the medical care that you need. 

Securing help from a Morgan & Morgan workers’ compensation lawyer will give you the best chance of receiving maximum compensation. 

Lost Wages and Income

In many cases, injured employees are unable to work their normal jobs while they recover. When this happens, victims forgo the money that they typically count on. 

Fortunately, workers’ compensation benefits in Pennsylvania make up for a portion of injured employees’ lost wages. In most instances, these earned benefits are calculated as two-thirds of the worker’s average weekly wage. 

There are certain exceptions to this rule regarding lost income. For instance, Pennsylvania state law sets a maximum limit on the amount that applicants can receive per week. Workers who typically make significant incomes may not recover two-thirds of their average weekly pay. 

In other cases, applicants may recover 90% of their typical average weekly income. When you file for workers’ compensation, you must report wages you earn from other work or employment.

No. There is no legally mandated time limit for injured employees to receive benefit payments. Ideally, the victim will receive compensation until they have fully recovered from their injury. 

However, remember that employers have an incentive to pay as little as possible. Insurance providers also hope to downplay and value the damage that workers experience following on-the-job accidents. 

For this reason, it is important to secure legal representation when seeking earned benefits. The accomplished workers’ compensation lawyers at Morgan and Morgan have a decades-long track record of success. 

When we represent you, you can rest assured that your case is in the best possible hands. We will fight diligently to recover maximum compensation in your workplace injury case.

In almost all instances, injured workers are not legally permitted to file a lawsuit against their employer. Typically, workers’ compensation benefits are the only option for recovering financially from a workplace accident or injury. 

Accepting these earned benefit payments releases your employer or business from further legal liability. However, determining who is responsible for your injuries can be difficult. 

Often, more than one party is legally responsible for the damage that an injury victim sustains. A knowledgeable workers’ compensation lawyer will review the facts of your case to determine who should be held accountable. 

While you cannot file suit against your employer, you may have the option of pursuing a claim against a third party. 

For example, suppose that you are injured in a work-related car crash because of another party's negligent behavior. In this situation, you may have a valid personal injury claim against the negligent party. A skilled attorney will help you determine the best way to pursue the money you need. 

By holding negligent third parties accountable, you may be able to obtain additional financial compensation. Speak with a Morgan & Morgan tort lawyer to settle the issue of legal liability in your case.

No. Reputable workers’ compensation law firms operate based on a contingency fee model. This approach to legal payment ensures that accident and injury victims pay nothing until their case is resolved. 

During your free Morgan and Morgan consultation, we will determine the validity of your workers’ compensation claim. When we take your case, the cost of legal services is covered by a portion of the financial recovery from your claim. 

This means that our clients do not pay a single nickel until we get the money that they deserve. You should never hire a disreputable tort attorney who demands upfront payment. 

Our compassionate legal professionals know that injured workers have enough burdens to bear. Unless we effectively settle or win your case at trial, you will not pay anything for legal representation through Morgan and Morgan.

When you need accomplished legal representation in Pennsylvania, look no further than the nation’s biggest tort law firm. The attorneys at our firm boast more than 35 years of successful accident and injury cases. 

Since our founding, Morgan and Morgan has recovered over $25 billion for our clients. We will not rest until you receive the payments to which your labor entitles you. 

The Morgan and Morgan team knows the tricks that unscrupulous coverage providers and employers use. Our skilled legal representatives know how to effectively counter these tactics. 

Do not wait. Fill out the simple contact form for a free, no-obligation case evaluation.

We will happily review the facts of your case and help you pursue every penny you are rightfully owed. Contact Morgan & Morgan today.