What are the Different Types of Workers' Compensation Benefits?
In the midst of a workplace injury, it is natural to feel overwhelmed. If you or a loved one was injured in a workplace accident, Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys expresses its deepest sympathies. Recovering from an injury you suffer at work can be a challenging time. Between managing your health, navigating the claims process, and figuring out how to move forward with your employer, the last thing you need to do is waste energy worrying about what your workers' compensation benefits will cover.
To demystify workers' comp, we're breaking down everything you need to know about your benefits. To learn more about when to hire a workers' compensation lawyer, what types of injuries are most common, and how Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys can serve you, read on. For more specific recommendations about your case, please reach out to us today for your free consultation.
What is Workers' Compensation?
Before we jump into the types of workers' compensation, let's start by reviewing what workers' compensation actually is. If you are a resident of Pennsylvania and sustained an injury while you were on the clock, then you will likely be entitled to workers' compensation benefits. The Pennsylvania Workers' Compensation Act extends this coverage to nearly all types of workers, including seasonal, part-time, and of course, full-time laborers. Workers' compensation laws are designed to protect your wages and help take some of the financial pressure off of you while you are healing.
If you were injured on or after January 1, 2022, workers' compensation will pay up to two-thirds of your weekly pay, or up to $1,205. Each year, the maximum payout ceiling is calculated by the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry based on a number of different variables.
Exclusions and Inclusions
Workers' compensation laws are not all-encompassing. There are a few limitations on what types of injuries are covered under workmans' compensation.
Injuries in which the victim is determined to have an active role in causing are not covered under workers' compensation laws. Specifically, injuries caused by self-harm, injuries sustained while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or injuries caused by a personal altercation would prohibit an individual from being eligible for workers' comp benefits.
Similarly, only injuries that occur while at work are eligible to be covered under workers' compensation benefits. This means that injuries sustained while commuting either to or from work will not be covered.
On the other hand, all injuries that occur at work will be eligible for workers' compensation benefits. This includes injuries caused by natural disasters and illnesses caused by your job. Notably, workers' compensation laws do not discriminate based on the severity of the injury. Even if you feel an injury is mild, you may be able to claim some benefits for it.
How Do I File a Workers' Compensation Claim?
If you meet the criteria to file for a workers' compensation claim, then in order to receive the support you are entitled to you must be sure to notify your supervisor. According to Pennsylvania law, you must report your incident within 120 days of it occurring in order to qualify. After notifying your supervisor, you will need to seek medical attention. Medical records and a physician's examination will be needed for your claim.
Next, you will need to file an incident report with your employer. Your employer must file the First Report of Injury within 3 years of your accident occurring for your claim to be viable. To avoid any confusion, it is best to file your claim as quickly as you can. As a best practice, it is good to keep written records of any communication regarding your submission.
After filing, if your claim gets denied, do not lose hope. Many claims are routinely rejected by employers and their insurance companies as scare tactics. If your claim was wrongly denied, reach out to us today.
What Are the Types of Workers' Comp Benefits You Can Receive?
If your claim is accepted, here are the four types of benefits you can expect to receive.
Medical Coverage
Even if you carry medical insurance, recovering from a workplace accident can still be costly. While insurance policies will cover a good portion of your expenses, even those with the most comprehensive plans will surely have to face deductibles and policy caps that leave you needing to front your own care out of pocket. Thankfully, if you are filing a workers' compensation claim, you can expect that your expenses will be completely covered by your benefits.
This coverage includes but is not limited to the following:
- Doctors visits
- Emergency and urgent care visits
- Hospital stays
- Medications
- Medical equipment (for example, wheelchairs)
- Travel to and from medical appointments
Disability Benefits
Disability benefits will ensure that your wages are protected. You can expect to receive financial support proportional to the severity of your injury. If you are completely disabled, you will receive the maximum payout, which for injuries on or after January 1, 2022, will be $1205.00 per week. If you are partially disabled, that will be reflected in your payout.
If you receive disability benefits, you should expect that your disability status will be reviewed after two years. At this point, a medical professional will evaluate your condition and your payout may be adjusted.
Vocational Rehabilitation
Vocational rehabilitation benefits are designed to help you get back on your feet. For people who are able to return to their previous job, this coverage includes everything from on-the-job training programs to consulting with employers for job accommodations for the worker's specific needs.
For those who are unable to return to their previous job, vocational rehabilitation services will help them find a new career. Such coverage includes career counseling, general professional training, and employment searches. For more information on what vocational rehabilitation resources are available to you, check out the National Rehabilitation Information Center.
Death Benefits
Unfortunately, some workplace accidents are severe enough to cause death. If your loved one died in a workplace accident, workers' compensation will provide death benefits, which include compensation for loss of life, as well as coverage for funeral and burial expenses.
Why Choose a Workers' Compensation Attorney From Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys?
Our team at Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys has over 60 years of experience litigating personal injury claims. Our results speak for themselves. Many of our lawyers have won multi-million dollar settlement outcomes for our clients. Similarly, our top-notch team has been nationally recognized by both their peers and the industry alike. In addition to having our team consistently named on the Best Lawyers in America list, Partner Caroline Munley is certified as a specialist in the practice of workers' compensation law by the Pennsylvania Bar Association's Section on Workers' Compensation Law.
If you were injured in the workplace anywhere in Pennsylvania, our workers' compensation attorney is here to help. We are now taking cases for those who work in warehouses across the state, including:
Injuries in Amazon Warehouse
Injuries in Fabri Kal Warehouse
Injuries in Home Depot Warehouse
Injuries in FEDEX Warehouse
Injuries in TJ Maxx Warehouse
Injuries in Cintas Warehouse
Injuries in Walmart Warehouse
Injuries in Core Mark Warehouse
Injuries in Frito Lay Warehouse
Injuries in Adidas Warehouse
Work Injuries in Sam's Club Warehouse
