What are Specific Loss Benefits?
Specific Loss Benefits are a kind of worker’s compensation benefit. As outlined in the Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Act, they are considered when a worker loses a particular bodily function or body part from a work-related injury or disease. These benefits compensate for both the loss itself and any other disability benefits that the worker may receive.
Specific loss benefits are considered only under extreme circumstances. The loss of the bodily function or part must be permanent in nature, and can even include amputation. When a claim for specific loss benefits is filed, the injured party must only have proof that they have suffered a permanent loss. They do not need to prove any monetary loss. In Pennsylvania, the level of benefits a person may be eligible for is calculated based on a predetermined number of weeks of compensation for each specific loss. For instance, loss of a thumb constitutes two-thirds of wages during one hundred weeks, loss of a hand constitutes two-thirds of wages over three hundred thirty-five weeks, and loss of vision in one eye constitutes two-thirds of wages over two hundred seventy-five weeks.
Because proof of monetary loss is not necessary to receive specific loss benefits, it is important that an injured party collects the proper medical information to prove the permanence and severity of their injuries. In certain circumstances, an injured party can receive both specific loss benefits and wage loss benefits. They are both ways that the legal system tries long-term health and well-being of injured parties.
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Philadelphia Workers’ Compensation: Specific Loss Benefits
What Are Specific Loss Injuries?
Workers’ compensation coverage is PA state-mandated insurance for employees created by the Pennsylvania Workers Compensation Act. This insurance is a safety net for workers who become injured or sick as a result of job-related duties. Workers’ compensation benefits cover medical expenses due to the injury or illness and lost wages from work missed due to the injury and recovery.
While workers comp covers lost wages due to missed work, if you have suffered an injury that results in the loss of a body part or loss of function of that body part or permanent disfigurement, you may be entitled to collect a special kind of Pennsylvania workers compensation insurance known as Specific Loss insurance and this compensation is available to injured workers even if you are able to return immediately to work.
If you are a worker in Philadelphia and you have suffered serious and permanent disfigurement, […]
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Pittsburgh Workers’ Compensation: Specific Loss Benefits
Disfigurement and Specific Loss Benefits
If you have suffered a catastrophic injury at work resulting in permanent disfigurement, scarring, or loss of the use of a limb or body part, you need to know that you may be entitled to compensation.
The Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Act mandates employers carry workers’ compensation insurance. Workers’ compensation benefits cover medical treatment costs incurred due to a work-related injury. Workers’ compensation insurance also provides some financial relief in the form of wage loss benefits for work that is missed due to the injury and recovery.
Specific loss benefits are less common but just as important. If you are a worker in Pittsburgh and you have lost a limb, or another body part, amputation, loss of most of or all of the use of a body part including permanent vision and hearing loss you may be entitled to specific loss payments. […]
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Hazleton Workers’ Compensation: Specific Loss Benefits
What is Workers’ Compensation?
The Pennsylvania Workers Compensation Act mandates that almost all workers in PA are covered by workers’ compensation insurance.
When you are injured in a work-related incident in Pennsylvania, you may qualify for workers’ compensation benefits to cover:
- Lost wages. When you experience a work injury, you may be forced to miss time from work for recovery, hospitalization, and medical visits. Workers’ compensation insurance provides some financial relief for wages lost for missed time.
- Medical expenses. Workers’ compensation law also mandates that your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance company provide compensation payable for medical treatment directly related to your work injury.
However, if you are an injured worker in Hazleton, and you have suffered a permanently disfiguring, scarring injury or you have lost a limb or body function, you might be entitled to special financial compensation known as Specific Loss Benefits. […]
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Reading Workers’ Compensation FAQs
What is Workers’ Compensation?
Workers’ compensation is a state-sponsored insurance program that provides compensation for workers suffering injury or illness. Pennsylvania workers’ compensation was mandated in the 1914 Pennsylvania Workers Compensation Act as a safety net for individuals who become injured or sick as a result of job-related duties or conditions. Workers’ compensation benefits exist to pay for medical expenses and lost wages when you suffer a work-related injury, become ill, or aggravate an existing injury or disease while on the job.
All PA employers are obligated by the Commonwealth to carry workers’ compensation insurance for their employees. Most employees are covered by workers’ compensation regardless of their status as part-time or full-time and regardless of their immigration status. Whether you are a full-time, part-time, seasonal, or immigrant worker regardless of your immigration status who was injured or became sick while on the job, […]
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Wilkes-Barre Workers’ Compensation FAQs
Answering Your Questions About Work Injuries in Wilkes-Barre
If you are a worker in any of Wilkes-Barre’s many businesses and you have been injured due to an accident resulting from job-related duties or if you are suffering from a job-related disease you might be wondering what your next steps are. Whether you are ready to apply for workers’ compensation benefits or if you have questions about what you might qualify for, call the Wilkes-Barre workers’ compensation lawyers at Munley Law today or fill out our form below for your free consultation. Our workers’ comp lawyers have more than 60 years of experience fighting for injured workers in Wilkes-Barre. We are nationally recognized for our expertise and record-setting awards for our clients.
Our Wilkes-Barre workers’ comp attorneys represent people hurt at work in Luzerne County. Call us today for a free consultation. We charge you nothing until you receive workers compensation benefits. […]
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