Commonwealth Court Finds Current Impairment Rating Evaluation Process Unconstitutional

An Impairment Rating Evaluation (IRE) is a process where the employer asks an injured worker to be “rated” to determine their percentage of whole-body impairment based on the AMA Guides (American Medical Association’s Guides to Permanent Impairment). In order to be rated, an injured worker must first be at “maximum… Read More

Can My Employer Stop Paying For My Private Health Insurance When I’m Out Of Work Because Of A Work Injury?

Unfortunately, for most of us, an employer can stop paying for private health insurance while an injured worker is out of work. Unless you are working under a specific employment or union contract that says otherwise, your employer can stop paying for your private health insurance when you are out… Read More

Supreme Court of Pennsylvania Relieves Employers from Issuing Injured Workers a Notice of Ability to Return to Work before Entitlement to Compensation has been Decided

The PA Workers’ Compensation Act was enacted to provide injured workers with much needed income and medical benefits for injuries occurring at work. You could say the Act was written to protect the interests of injured workers. Because of the intent behind the Act, there are times the Employer must… Read More

Can My Employer Force Me Back To Work Before I’m Ready?

NO! Your employer cannot force you back to work after a work injury before you are ready though they might try to. You should follow the advice of your own treating doctor when deciding when it is best for you to return to work after an injury. If you are… Read More

What Happens If My Employer Does Not Have Workers’ Compensation Insurance?

All employers in the state of Pennsylvania are required to carry workers’ compensation insurance to cover their employees in the event of a work accident, no matter how small the employer is. In fact, an employer can be subject to both civil and criminal penalties for failing to carry workers’… Read More

Commonwealth Court Finds Ongoing Workers’ Compensation for Occupational Asthma Claim

The Commonwealth Court decided the case of Little v. WCAB (Select Specialty Hospital), on January 9, 2015. The Court held that a Claimant who develops asthma caused by exposure to chemicals at her work place is entitled to ongoing workers’ compensation benefits. This is an important decision because the Court,… Read More