Scranton has always been an industrious city, making workers’ compensation in Scranton essential for protecting its workforce. The area has been a manufacturing hub since 1840, and modern-day Scranton is the cultural, financial, and geographic center of the Lackawanna River Valley. Unparalleled access to a national transportation network enhances Scranton’s proximity to Northeast Corridor markets.
Scranton’s businesses have quick access to a busy international airport and accessibility to five major US highways. Scranton is just a short drive to major market hubs such as Philadelphia and Manhattan. Include Scranton’s rail access to Norfolk Southern and the Canadian Pacific Railway, and we can see why Scranton is the perfect home for busy manufacturing, retail, and warehouse operations.
Scranton’s historical beauty, location, and architecture, and its proximity to the Poconos, also mean that Scranton draws its share of tourism traffic.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Scranton–Wilkes-Barre metropolitan area had about 268,500 employed people across all industries in late 2025. From warehouses and factories to farms, hotels, restaurants, and freight routes, it’s the people working in these industries who keep Scranton running.
So what happens when you get hurt at your job in Scranton? Or become sick from your working conditions? What failsafe is there to protect Scranton workers?
That is when we turn to workers’ compensation insurance, also called workman’s comp or workers’ comp.
If you have been injured in Scranton or become ill from working conditions and require medical treatment, you might be scared and unsure about your future, and you may have questions about the PA workers’ compensation law.
Call your Scranton workers’ compensation lawyers at Munley Law today or fill out our form below for a free consultation. Our workers’ compensation lawyers have nearly 70 years of experience fighting for injured workers in Scranton and NEPA and are nationally recognized for our expertise and record-setting awards for our clients. We can help you receive the workers’ compensation benefits you deserve to aid your recovery, both physical and financial.
Contact a Workers’ Compensation Attorney at Munley Law
Call Us At 844-686-5397 What Is Workers’ Compensation in Scranton PA?
Workers’ compensation insurance provides financial compensation for job accidents and illnesses. Various state legislation and programs have specific requirements regarding worker protection. But with a few exceptions, everyone is entitled to workers’ compensation benefits if they are injured or become ill as a result of workplace accidents or working conditions.
Does Scranton Workers’ Compensation Cover Only My Medical Bills?
No, workers’ compensation in Scranton covers much more than just your medical bills. Here’s what you should know:
- Medical Coverage: Your employer’s insurance pays for all reasonable and necessary medical treatment related to your work injury.
- Lost Wages: You can receive compensation for a portion of your income lost while you’re unable to work due to your injury
- No-Fault System: You’re eligible for benefits regardless of:
- Your previous health condition
- Who was at fault (in most cases)
- Specific Loss Benefits: Additional compensation is available if you lost the function of a body part or experienced an amputation
- Death Benefits: If a workplace accident results in death, the program provides:
- Funeral expense coverage
- Burial costs
- What’s Not Covered: Workers’ compensation does NOT provide compensation for pain and suffering related to your injury
How Much Does Workers’ Compensation in Scranton Pay?
As a general rule, if the injury or disease is ruled compensable, in PA, a worker is entitled to about two-thirds of their total salary if recovery lasts longer than seven calendar days.
- There is no maximum payment period. Payments are made for the entire duration of the disability. The payments are tax-free.
- The employee is entitled to workers’ comp payments until they have reached maximum medical improvement with no work restrictions established by a workers’ compensation judge’s decision.
Medical benefits are also provided under the Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Act. In PA, benefits for medical treatment for work-related injuries or diseases include:
- Services rendered by physicians or other healthcare providers
- Reasonable surgical and medical services needed
- Hospital stays for a semi-private room, hospital treatments, services, and supplies
- Prescription medicines
- Orthopedic appliances and orthopedic supplies such as braces, walkers, canes, etc.
Does Workers’ Compensation in Scranton Cover Long-Term Conditions and Illnesses?
Workers’ comp eligibility is limited to occupational disease and injury, but there are certain restrictions. The workman’s comp program will cover you in the case of an accident, injuries sustained due to long-term stress, illnesses developed due to the job conditions, or an injury occurring on the job.
Does Workers’ Compensation Cover all Scranton Employees?
Yes. The Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Act generally provides workers’ compensation coverage for all employees. There are a few exceptions.
According to the PA Department of Labor and Industry, “workers’ compensation coverage is mandatory for most employers under Pennsylvania law. Employers who do not have workers’ comp coverage may be subject to lawsuits by employees and to criminal prosecution by the Commonwealth.
Exceptions include:
- People covered under the federal workers’ comp program, such as railroad workers, longshoremen, and federal employees
- Domestic servants (coverage is optional)
- Agricultural workers who work fewer than 30 days or earn less than $1,200 in a calendar year from a single employer
- Employees who have requested and been granted an exemption due to religious beliefs or their executive status in certain corporations
Does Workers’ Compensation Protect My Job in Scranton?
Yes, in many cases. While workers’ compensation itself doesn’t guarantee job protection, other state and federal laws may protect your position while you recover.
Do All Scranton Workers’ Compensation Cases End in a Settlement?
The majority of workers’ comp claims will end with a settlement between the employee and the employer’s insurance company that works best for both sides. Still, there are many instances where no agreed settlement can be reached, and the case ends up in court.
If you’re wondering if all Scranton workers’ compensation cases end in a settlement, the answer is no, not always. If there is no agreed settlement, your compensation case can be sent to a judge for a ruling.
If your claim proceeds to a hearing or trial, having an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer can help you understand your options, protect your rights, and present evidence in support of your claim. The Scranton workers’ compensation lawyers at Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys have represented injured workers throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania since 1959. We have experience handling both negotiated settlements and contested workers’ compensation claims, and we can guide you through each stage of the process.
How Do I File My Initial Scranton Workers’ Comp Claim?
There are a few vital steps to opening your workers’ comp claim.
If you’ve been injured due to a workplace accident or incident—such as a construction-related injury—seek medical care and notify your employer immediately, and consider consulting a Scranton construction accident lawyer if your injury occurred on a job site. If you communicate with your employer verbally, follow up with a written notice of the incident. Include the exact day, time, location, and circumstances under which the injury occurred.
When you receive treatment from your doctor, or a doctor referred to you by the company or its insurer, keep track of all your visits and medical records.
If you are opening a claim to receive benefits for an ongoing stress-related injury or disease occurring from working conditions, notify your employer as soon as you receive a diagnosis for your medical condition from a licensed medical doctor.
“Honoring those who came before us, Munley Law proudly continues our family tradition of innovation, caring, and integrity. Three generations of Munleys have built this firm on one belief: that injured people deserve the same fierce advocacy that the powerful receive as a matter of course. That belief still drives everything we do.”
Caroline Munley
Steps for Filing A Workers’ Compensation Claim in Scranton
Follow these steps to fill in and submit your workers’ compensation claim in Scranton:
Report Your Injury or Illness to Your Employer:
An injured employee is required to provide written notice, and most states set deadlines for reporting injuries. According to the PA Department of Labor & Industry, employees should report all injuries to their employer immediately.
In the case of an injury or illness that develops over time, the employee must report the injury or disease within these timeframes after receiving an official diagnosis.
The Employer Starts Filing the Paperwork
Once you report your injury or illness, your employer will provide you with your claim form to be filled out and returned to them. This form will request all of the details of your injury or illness. You should also be provided a “report of injury form” from your employer, which will be submitted to the Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Board.
The employer reports the injury or disease to the board and files your claim with their workers’ compensation insurance company
Your employer will send the claim form to your workers’ compensation insurer, and your doctor will be asked to submit an additional medical report.
The Insurance Company Will Approve or Deny Your Benefits Claim
Once the claim is filed, it is in the hands of the workers’ compensation insurance company to approve or deny your right to receive benefits.
If your claim is approved, the insurance company will inform your employer and contact you with benefit details. You and your Scranton workers comp attorney can now decide to:
- Accept the employer’s workers comp insurance company’s benefits offer as it stands, which may cover the costs of medical expenses, disability benefits, and lost wages – especially in severe cases involving catastrophic injuries in Scranton – or you can negotiate for a settlement.
- Negotiate for a settlement. This can be a one “lump-sum” payment or a larger structured settlement amount.
If your employer’s insurer denies your payments, then you and your Scranton workman’s compensation lawyer have the option to:
- Request a review for reconsideration from the workers’ comp insurer
- File a formal appeal through the Pennsylvania State Workers’ Comp board
Do I Have to Be Injured at My Scranton Workplace to Be Covered by Workers’ Compensation?
In short, no. As long as you were injured while performing job-related tasks, you are entitled to collect workers’ comp benefits and may consider consulting a lawyer if another party’s negligence contributed to your injury. For example, if you had a slip and fall incident while delivering a package to a customer, you can still file a workers’ compensation claim since you were on the job at the time of the accident.
What Workplace Injuries Are Excluded From Workers’ Comp?
Workers’ compensation covers the majority of injuries, including common cases such as those frequently sustained by Scranton truck drivers in work-related accidents. Generally, workers’ compensation doesn’t pay for injuries due to drug or alcohol use.
Insurance may be denied if you have a claim for personal injuries or accidents resulting from a personal injury, even if it happened at work but was NOT related to work-related duties or tasks, such as getting into a car accident in the parking lot at work due to reckless or intoxicated driving.
What Should I Do If My Scranton Workers’ Comp Claim Is Denied?
The insurance company might initially deny your benefits. You are always entitled to appeal this denial. If your Scranton workers’ comp claim was denied, an experienced attorney can help you evaluate your options and pursue the benefits available under Pennsylvania law.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Scranton Workers’ Compensation Lawyer?
Munley Law handles workers’ compensation cases on a contingency-fee basis. This means you do not pay attorney’s fees upfront. If benefits or a recovery are obtained on your behalf, attorney’s fees are typically paid from that recovery and are subject to court approval.
Contact a Scranton Workers’ Comp Lawyer at Munley Law
Call us today for your free consultation, and an experienced Scranton workers’ compensation attorney will be in touch to answer your questions and discuss the legal options that may be available in your situation.
Our attorneys are board-certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy, and we have secured significant settlements for clients who sustained workplace injuries. Workers’ comp lawyer 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 as authorized by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.
We will review your claim for free. Chat live, fill out our contact form, or call today. We do not charge a fee unless we recover your benefits.
Caroline Munley
Caroline Munley is a certified workers’ compensation specialist. During her time fighting for the rights of workplace injury victims, she has recovered millions of dollars for injured workers, in addition to being named as among the Best Lawyers in America for Plaintiffs and Workers’ Compensation Law-Claimants for Northeastern Pennsylvania.
Reviewed by Bernadine Munley, Esq., Personal Injury Attorney at Munley Law, on July 30, 2026.
