Know Your Pennsylvania Workers Compensation Rights

It is always a tragedy when someone is injured on the job and can't work, but after all the sympathy cards and get well wished have faded, there is still the reality of bills to be paid and a family to support.

There are laws in Pennsylvania protecting your rights as an employee injured on the job, but they also require you to follow a specific procedure in order to qualify for workers compensation benefits. Because of this specific and sometimes confusing required course of action, it is recommended that you consult a Pennsylvania workers compensation attorney as soon as possible after your injury.

Employers in Pennsylvania, with few exceptions, are required by law to offer workers compensation to their employees in the event of work caused or related accidents. Many state legislatures have enacted what is called the exclusive remedy rule; meaning it doesn't matter, in most cases, whether you or your employer did anything wrong, you are still entitled to Pennsylvania workers compensation. However, there are exceptions to this rule and not all states participated in this piece of legislation, so you need to consult a Pennsylvania workers compensation attorney to determine whether your circumstances qualify.

As with all legal processes, there are notice requirements and paperwork that must be properly filled out in order to claim workers compensation. The sooner you fill these papers out the better, as claims are easier to dispute if too much time has passed.

When all documentation has been filled out, you may be eligible for temporary total disability benefits during your recovery period and these will continue until you reach maximum medical improvement. If your injuries are verified to be permanent, you should be entitled to a lump sum settlement. All this can be overwhelming, especially as you deal with the emotional shock of short term or permanent disability, so we recommend that a Pennsylvania workers compensation attorney represent you to keep you informed through all of these stages.

The last requirement for qualifying for Pennsylvania workers compensation is of course, that the injury must be work-related. Some employers, along with their workers compensation insurance carriers, will try to dispute whether your injuries were work-related, or they may contest your claim of temporary or permanent disability, or both. Regardless, you have rights as an employee to be compensated for any injury sustained on the job, which you must ascertain assertively. Pennsylvania workers compensation attorneys will help you effectively prosecute your claim should that become necessary.

Pennsylvania workers compensation attorneys typically work closely with your physicians to establish the extent of your injury and resulting potential disabilities. If your injuries are permanent, your long term ability to work and support yourself and your family will be affected. You have the right to be compensated for your injuries, and not punished for them.

About the Author

Receiving Pennsylvania workers compensation (http://www.lenardcohen.com/) when you are injured on the job is your right. The author Art Gib is a freelance writer.

Author Profile: artgib

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