Equally as important as knowing whether or not you’re entitled to workers’ compensation benefits, as well as what type of benefits, is knowing exactly how much you’re entitled after a workplace injury.
Types of Workers’ Compensation Benefits
The type of workers’ compensation benefit that you qualify for will depend upon your injury type and severity. That being said, there are multiple benefits types offered under workers’ compensation in Pennsylvania, including the following listed.
- Payments for lost wages
- Survivor benefits
- Specific loss benefits
- Medical care
Payments for lost wages are similar to permanent or partial disability benefits in other states: these benefits are paid when you’re unable to work. Specific loss benefits are paid for specific losses of bodily parts or function. Medical care benefits pay for costs of medical attention. Finally, death benefits will be paid to beneficiaries in the event of death.
How Workers’ Compensation Benefits Are Calculated
Just like the type of benefit that you may be entitled, the amount that you’re able to recover under workers’ compensation insurance will be very specific to your individual case.
Medical payments are typically paid in full and are payable from the first day of your injury. The law states that your workers’ compensation provider handles paying for all necessary and reasonable medical expenses.
Death benefits are paid based on a percentage of the deceased’s wage while working, prior to the injury. This is also how payments for lost wages are calculated; wage loss benefits are equal to two-thirds of an injured worker’s average weekly wage. Partial disability benefits can be paid for a maximum of 500 weeks. If a person is totally disabled, the disability will be reassessed after 104 weeks, and the disability status may be changed to partially disabled.
Finally, if you’ve experienced a particular loss (finger, eye, leg, toe, hearing, etc.) then you will be entitled to compensation based on a specific number of weeks corresponding with your loss. For example, the loss of the fourth finger yields 28 weeks of compensation at a rate of 66 2/3 percent of average weekly wages.
Speak with a Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Attorney Today
If you’ve been injured while working in Pennsylvania, you should consult with a workers’ compensation attorney. An attorney can help you to understand exactly how much you should be entitled so that you don’t accept an amount that isn’t fair from your insurer. To meet with Cordisco & Saile LLC, LLC today, dial 215-642-2335 now!
