Getting Paid Workers Comp During Your Recovery
Were you hurt on the job in Delaware County or elsewhere in Pennsylvania? You may wonder if you will get paid if you are forced to take time off work to recover.The answer is it depends—you must miss at least one week to qualify for workers’ com. Our workers’ compensation lawyers explain when you will qualify for benefits for losing time from work in Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania Law: No-Fault Workers’ Comp Benefits for Injured Workers
Workers’ compensation benefits ensure injured employees have access to the benefits they need to get medical care and pay their bills. Coverage is no-fault. Pennsylvania’s no-fault workers’ comp allows workers to get benefits without proving employer negligence. The program protects employees and promotes timely recovery while reducing litigation. Employers are required to carry workers’ compensation insurance or self-insure to cover claims. You should file a workers’ comp claim to seek benefits for:
- All reasonable and necessary medical expenses
- Wage replacement for time missed at work
You should immediately report your injury to your employer as an injured worker.
You Must Miss Seven Days (Calendar) to Qualify for Workers’ Comp Benefits
You can get your workers’ comp medical coverage right away. Any medical care for a job-related injury should be covered. However, there is a waiting period for wage replacement benefits. Here is how Pennsylvania’s regulators explain it: “You must be disabled more than seven calendar days (including weekends) before WC payments for disability are payable” (LIBC-100 WC). The waiting period ensures that benefits are reserved for cases with substantial time lost from work. The first seven days are unpaid unless you qualify for retroactive benefits. What happens if you miss just one day because of a work injury? Your medical care is covered but will not qualify for wage loss benefits.
Retroactive Benefits the First Week After 14 Days of Missed Time
Pennsylvania’s workers’ compensation law includes provisions for retroactive benefits. If you miss more than fourteen calendar days due to your workplace injury, you may become eligible to receive retroactive compensation for the initial seven-day waiting period. In other words, if you need two weeks to recover (or more), you can seek workers’ compensation benefits for your lost wages for all the days you missed. To secure these retroactive benefits, you must demonstrate that your extended absence was directly related to your work injury.
Schedule a Free Consultation with Our Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
At Schmidt, Kirifides & Rassias, our Delaware County workers’ comp attorneys are committed to protecting workers’ rights. If you were hurt on the job and have questions about getting paid, we can help. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation. With an office in Media, we fight for the rights and interests of injured workers throughout Delaware County.