How Long Can You Receive Workers' Comp Benefits in Pennsylvania?
Injured workers should know their legal rights
If you have been injured on the job or get sick at work in Pennsylvania, you may be eligible to receive workers' compensation benefits while you're recovering from your work-related injury or illness.
But how long can you receive such benefits? Is there are deadline or cutoff date for how long you can receive workers' compensation in Pennsylvania? And what happens if your workers' compensation benefits expire? What options are available in Pennsylvania?
These are serious questions that demand accurate answers. That's why it's important that you talk to an experienced Pennsylvania workers' compensation attorney, Tony Vellner, at Vellner Law, PC. Our legal team has a deep understanding of how the system works and can provide you with the guidance you need.
When can I start receiving workers' compensation in Pennsylvania?
Workers' compensation is a state-mandated insurance program that employers are required to have in case their employees get sick or injured on the job. Under this state program managed by the Bureau of Workers Compensation (which is part of the Pennsylvania Department of Labor), employees who cannot work due to a work-related illness or injury can receive wage losses, medical care for the injury, and physical rehabilitation.
In most cases, workers' compensation payments in Pennsylvania start after someone is unable to work due to their injury or illness for 14 or more days. Most sick or injured workers then start receiving workers' compensation checks 21 days after their absence from work, including retroactive pay, according to the Pennsylvania Workers' Compensation Act.
How long can I receive workers' comp in PA?
Several factors can impact the length of time you can receive workers' compensation payments in Pennsylvania. The type of work-related injury or illness you have is a critical factor that can affect your eligibility for these payments.
Pennsylvania's Bureau of Workers' Compensation makes a distinction based on the types of work-related injuries or illnesses:
- Temporary partial disability
- Temporary total disability
Workers' compensation for a temporary partial disability
Pennsylvania's Workers’ Comp law defines a temporary partial disability as a work-related injury that limits someone's ability to make what they made before the injury. Workers who receive a lower wage due to their injury or illness should then receive partial workers’ compensation wage losses.
Workers with a partial disability can receive workers' compensation wage loss benefits, a partial, to make up for the loss of partial income, for up to 500 weeks.
Workers' compensation for total disability
Pennsylvania workers with a total disability are those who are not able to work at all due to a work-related injury or illness. This is wage loss benefits when you cannot work at all or the place of injury employer cannot accommodate work, medical, restrictions.
What are my options if my workers' compensation payments are discontinued?
If you believe that you are entitled to receive workers' compensation benefits for your work-related injury or illness, but your payments have stopped, there may be several options available to you:
- File a Claim Petition, or other petition(s), with the Pennsylvania Bureau of Workers' Compensation, especially if you believe your workers' compensation claim has wrongly been denied or discontinued.
- Request a medical examination by another doctor, especially if the doctor treating you claims you can return to work, even though you believe you are not healthy enough to do so.
In addition to the options mentioned above, there may be other courses of action available to you based on the specific circumstances of your workers' compensation case. You need to consult with an experienced workers’ compensation attorney!
Contact an experienced Pennsylvania workers' compensation lawyer
If you've suffered a workplace injury or illness in Pennsylvania, you may find that filing a workers' compensation claim can quickly become a complex legal process. At Vellner Law, PC, we understand this all too well, which is why we're here to help.
With over 31 years of experience representing injured workers, Attorney Tony Vellner has a deep understanding of Pennsylvania's workers' compensation system, and he can and will help you find your way forward.
Don't wait to seek the compensation you deserve. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with Tony Vellner, Esquire. We have office locations in Bethlehem and Allentown and proudly serve injury victims throughout the state. Let us help you navigate the complexities of your case and fight for your rights.