When Does Workers' Comp Start Paying Lost Wages in Pennsylvania?

A workplace injury can happen suddenly and leave you with medical bills, time off work, and the stress of wondering how you’ll make ends meet. In Pennsylvania, workers' compensation can help by covering medical costs and lost wages, but the payments don’t start right away, which might leave you wondering when financial relief will come.

Workers' compensation is meant to provide financial stability during recovery, but strict rules and waiting periods determine when benefits begin. Understanding these timelines can help you plan ahead and avoid added stress. Here's what you need to know about the wage benefits timeline, how payments are calculated, and what to do if your claim is delayed or denied.

How do I know if I qualify for lost wages in Pennsylvania?

To receive lost wage benefits, your injury must have happened on the job or was caused by work-related duties. Pennsylvania workers’ compensation covers both traumatic injuries (such as falls or machinery accidents) and occupational illnesses (for example, exposure to toxic chemicals or repetitive stress injuries).

You must also report the injury to your employer within 21 days to qualify for immediate benefits. If you wait more than 120 days, you lose the right to file a claim. After reporting the injury, you must seek medical attention as soon as possible. For the first 90 days, you may need to see a doctor from your employer’s approved list. If no list exists, you can choose any licensed provider.

Your doctor must confirm that the injury prevents you from performing job duties. If your injury causes more than seven days of missed work, you qualify for lost wage benefits. Your employer and its insurance provider will review the claim and decide whether to approve payments. If approved, you should start receiving wage-loss benefits based on Pennsylvania’s workers' compensation guidelines.

How long is the waiting period for workers' comp lost wages?

After a work injury, financial stress can set in quickly. Unfortunately, Pennsylvania law requires a seven-day waiting period before workers' compensation starts covering lost wages. This means you won’t receive wage-loss benefits for the first week you’re out of work. However, medical benefits kick in right away and cover doctor visits, hospital care, prescriptions, and necessary treatments.

If your injury keeps you off the job for more than 14 consecutive days, workers' comp will retroactively pay for the first seven days. But if you return to work before the 14-day mark, that first week remains unpaid. The waiting period applies no matter how serious the injury is or how it happened. Some employers offer short-term disability benefits or other financial support during this gap, but these aren’t part of Pennsylvania’s workers' comp system.

Once your claim is approved, the insurance company will issue payments biweekly, similar to a regular paycheck. Your employer must report the injury to their workers’ comp insurance provider within seven days, and the insurer has 21 days to accept or deny your claim. If approved, you should receive your first lost wage payment within 21 to 30 days after your injury.

Delays can happen, especially if your employer or the insurance company disputes your claim. If you haven’t received payments on time, follow up with your employer and contact a Pennsylvania workers’ comp attorney.

How much will Pennsylvania workers' comp pay for lost wages?

Workers’ compensation in Pennsylvania covers a portion of your lost wages, but not your full paycheck. The amount you receive depends on the statewide average weekly wage (SAWW). The insurance company calculates this based on your earnings from the past year, including overtime and bonuses. Workers earning between $1,010.26 and $2,020.50 per week will receive two-thirds (66.67%) of their pre-injury wages. Those earning between $748.33 and $1,010.25 per week will receive a flat rate of $673.50 per week, while workers making $748.32 or less will receive 90% of their wages.

How long do lost wage benefits last?

The length of time you can collect workers' compensation lost wage benefits in Pennsylvania depends on whether your injury is classified as total disability or partial disability.

If your injury completely prevents you from working, you qualify for Total Disability Benefits, which continue indefinitely unless the insurance company proves you can return to work. After 104 weeks (two years), the insurance company can request an Independent Medical Examination to determine if you're at least 35% impaired under state guidelines. If you fall below that threshold, you may be switched to partial disability status, which limits how long benefits can continue.

If you can return to work but earn less due to your injury, you receive Partial Disability Benefits. These benefits cover up to two-thirds of the difference between your pre-injury and post-injury wages but are capped at 500 weeks (about 9.6 years).

What happens if my claim is denied?

Insurance companies often reject claims for reasons that have nothing to do with whether you truly deserve benefits. They might say the injury wasn’t work-related, claim the paperwork was incomplete, or argue your condition isn’t severe enough. Whatever the reason, you have the right to fight back and pursue the compensation you need.

To challenge the decision, you can file a Claim Petition with the Pennsylvania Bureau of Workers’ Compensation. A Workers’ Compensation Judge (WCJ) will review your case and schedule a hearing where you can present medical records, witness statements, and expert testimony. If the judge rules against you, you can appeal to the Workers’ Compensation Appeal Board and, if needed, take your case to Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court.

While you can go through the process alone, doing so is risky. An experienced workers’ comp attorney can handle the paperwork, negotiate with insurers, and build a strong case on your behalf.

Our Pennsylvania lawyers can fight for the workers' comp benefits you deserve!

If you were hurt at work, the Pennsylvania workers' compensation lawyers at Vellner Law can help take the burden of pursuing a claim off your shoulders. Whether your claim was denied, your benefits were stopped too soon, or you're struggling to get proper medical care, we’ll protect your rights and fight for the compensation you deserve. Our goal is simple: to make sure you get the benefits and support you need so you can focus on healing.

We offer a free consultation, so you can discuss your case with no obligation. Plus, we work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you won’t pay anything unless we win for you. Contact us online or call today to schedule your free consultation at our Allentown or Bethlehem offices. If you can’t come to us, we’ll come to you.

"Tony Vellner and his staff were with me throughout my case and I never felt left in the dark about the case. I have and do recommend Tony to anyone who needs a workers' comp lawyer." - Susan, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐