Pennsylvania has businesses operating in many of the most dangerous industries in the country. There are mining facilities, timber operations and manufacturing companies that employ thousands of Pennsylvania workers.
The vast majority of those employees go about their job responsibilities without any notable incidents. However, a small subset of workers may eventually end up seriously injured because of their job responsibilities. Workers may develop illnesses due to exposure to carcinogens or dangerous environments. They could suffer catastrophic personal injuries due to contact with equipment or falls. Those employees may turn to workers’ compensation coverage in their moment of need.
What types of benefits can injured workers potentially obtain through Pennsylvania workers’ compensation?
Medical benefits
The medical benefits available through workers’ compensation are more generous than the coverage available through standard health insurance. Workers can receive any approved and necessary treatment for their conditions without paying anything out of pocket. There is no deductible, copay or coinsurance for them to pay. They can obtain emergency care, surgical treatment and rehabilitation support. Workers’ compensation can even pay for ongoing prescription refills when a worker has mostly recovered and is able to return to their job.
Disability benefits
Serious work injuries and work-acquired illnesses may force someone to take a leave of absence. Any factory worker with a broken leg might require eight weeks or more away from their job until their bone knits and they can walk safely again.
Workers coping with injuries and illnesses that prevent them from doing their jobs have a sudden loss of income to address. Thankfully, workers’ compensation can help by providing disability benefits disability benefits pay at most two-thirds of a worker’s average weekly wage. However, the state does impose a maximum benefit amount that reflects the average wages across the state.
Those benefits may continue until a worker is able to return to their job. In some cases, workers may qualify for permanent disability benefits if they can never work again or partial disability benefits if an injury forces them to move into a job that offers lower pay.
Death benefits
In scenarios where a work injury or job-acquired illness proves fatal, there are also survivor benefits available for the immediate family members of the deceased employee. Workers’ compensation can cover their end-of-life care, replace some of the income they would have provided their family and may cover up to $7,000 in funeral or burial expenses.
Employees who have assistance during a workers’ compensation benefits claim generally have an easier time identifying what benefits they may qualify for and handling bureaucratic red tape. Securing the right support can take the frustration and risk out of pursuing workers’ compensation benefits.