Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation: The Basics

Workers’ compensation is insurance that an Employer must have to provide compensation to Employees who suffer work-related injuries or illnesses. An Employee who suffers a work-related injury or illness is entitled to workers’ compensation benefits regardless of who is at fault for the injury. The compromise that Employees make in getting a quicker resolution of their workers’ compensation claims is that they do not have the right to sue their Employer in court for pain and suffering damages because of a work injury.

Are there injuries that are not covered by Workers’ Compensation?

Workers’ compensation benefits are available to injured workers, regardless of who is at fault. However, there are a few instances where an Employee would not be covered. These instances are ones where an injury occurs because:

  • An Employee is intoxicated or using illegal drugs
  • An Employee is violating company policy
  • An Employee is not on the job
  • An Employee is involved in committing a serious crime
  • An Employee causes a self-inflicted injury

What does workers’ compensation cover?

Workers’ compensation pays for all hospital and other associated medical costs to treat a work injury, including the cost of medication, surgery, braces, x-rays, MRI’s, etc. It also provides for wage loss or wage replacement benefits to the injured worker while they are unable to work which is usually two-thirds (2/3) of their gross weekly wages.

For example: If you make $900 per week, you would be entitled to $600 per week in workers’ compensation wage loss benefits.  Additionally, all of your medical bills associated with the work injury will be paid by workers’ compensation rather than through your private health insurance.

This is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Workers’ compensation. Stay tuned for more!