What Benefits Can I Receive Through Workers’ Compensation for a Healthcare-Related Injury?
Healthcare workers have repeatedly reported being punched, bitten, kicked, and verbally abused in medical settings. Moreover, healthcare employees experience injuries and occupational illnesses at a significantly higher rate than any other profession, with 53.1 injury cases occurring per 10,000 workers. This staggering rate makes it essential to protect these individuals during their time of need.
If you have experienced an injury as a healthcare worker, you do have options. At Schmidt, Kirifides, Rassias & Rio, we have seen the toll that the healthcare industry has had on hardworking individuals such as yourself. In this blog, our Delaware County workers’ compensation attorneys discuss the range of benefits available to healthcare workers filing a workers’ compensation claim.
Medical Expenses
Healthcare workers are entitled to full coverage of all reasonable and necessary medical expenses related to their workplace injury. This applies regardless of the circumstances behind your injury as long as it occurred within the scope of your employment.
If you are filing a workers’ compensation claim in Delaware County, you will be eligible to receive the following medical benefits:
- Emergency room care
- Ambulatory services
- Surgeries and treatments
- Physical therapy
- Prescriptions
- Home modifications
Specific Loss Benefits
If your work injury results in the loss of a body part or organ, the use of a body part or organ, a traumatic amputation, or significant scarring to your head, neck, or face, you may be eligible for specific loss benefits. To recover specific loss benefits, the loss must be permanent.
77 P.S. §513 lists the schedule of compensation for specific loss benefits, with the following body parts being worthy of note:
- Loss of a hand: 335 weeks
- Loss of an arm: 410 weeks
- Loss of a foot: 250 weeks
- Loss of a leg: 410 weeks
- Loss of an eye: 275 weeks
If you are able to return to work, you may be able to receive partial disability while simultaneously receiving specific loss benefits. If you are confused about the process of applying for specific loss benefits, you should speak with a workers’ compensation attorney.
Wage Replacement
In most cases, injured healthcare workers will recoup two-thirds of their lost wages under a workers’ comp claim. This is based on an employee’s average weekly wage (AWW). Pennsylvania law sets a weekly maximum benefit amount of $1,347.00 for injuries occurring on or after January 1, 2025. For lower wage earners, minimum compensation is calculated based on the lesser of 90% of the employee’s AWW or 50% of the SAWW.
Delaware County Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Defending the Dignity of Healthcare Workers
While a noble profession, the rate of abuse amongst healthcare workers is a far-reaching issue, only gaining traction. At Schmidt, Kirifides, Rassias & Rio, we make it our mission to help healthcare workers access the treatment they need following a workplace injury.
Given the demand placed on healthcare workers, it is only fair that you are given the same benefits as other injured employees. If you are interested in speaking with one of our Delaware County workers’ compensation attorneys, feel free to contact us online or give us a call at (610) 892-9300 today. We offer free, confidential initial case evaluations.