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If you are injured in Pennsylvania, you are entitled Workers’ Compensation benefits if the injury occurred while you were in the course and scope of their employment. This may seem like an easy assessment: Was I hurt? Yes.  Was I working at the time? Yes. Ok, then I...

Did you know that Pennsylvania has several resources that offer pro bono work?  For those who do not know, attorneys may take on cases “pro bono” and offer their legal services to those who cannot afford them for free. The Pennsylvania Bar Association (“PBA”) has a...

If you were hurt at work, your employer’s insurance company is required to issue a document either accepting or denying your claim. If the claim is denied, meaning that for some reason or another, the insurance company will not acknowledge your work injury, they will...

You have gone through litigation in your Workers’ Compensation case and the Workers’ Compensation Judge (“WCJ”) found in your favor.  Congratulations, you’ve won!  What if, however, the Judge’s decision is unfavorable to you? When a WCJ makes a decision, they issue a...

The Workers’ Compensation Act includes occupational disease in the definition of injury. Specifically, the coverage of occupational diseases applies with respect to the disability or death of an employee which results in whole or in part from the...

The lawyers at Stern & Cohen frequently handle Workers’ Compensation claims arising from construction accidents. It is very important that you have a lawyer that is well-versed in construction site injuries. Worksites can be dangerous and there are common ways...

Depositions are an integral part of every Workers’ Compensation claim that is being litigated. Although many people are familiar with the general concept of depositions, most have never been deposed and do not know what to actually expect. Because it is such an...

When you suffer an unfortunate injury at work, the Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Act requires the employer/insurance company to pay for medical treatment related to your work injury.  Unlike many private health insurance policies, if you suffer a work...

Impairment Rating Evaluations are used by Employers to attempt to adjust the status of Workers’ Compensation benefits between total and partial disability. This involves attending an evaluation with a physician who will assign an “impairment rating” according to the...

In addition to the Workers’ Compensation Act, there is the Heart and Lung Act that applies to a significant number of employees in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. It is important to understand how these two Acts differ, and how they can work together. Generally...

Notify Your Employer The very first thing you should do is report your injury to a supervisor.  The Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Act requires you to give notice to your employer, such as your boss, supervisor, or HR department. Telling your co-worker is not...

At Stern & Cohen, many of our clients come from the healthcare industry. We understand that a job in the healthcare field is not only mentally draining, but physically demanding as well. Whether you are working in a hospital, emergency department, doctor’s office,...

Oftentimes when a worker is injured, they want to know if they are allowed to work while receiving workers’ compensation benefits. This really depends on the status of your case. There are some circumstances in which you may be able to work in a limited or part-time...

There may come a time when your employer tries to suspend, or stop, your Workers’ Compensation benefits that you have been receiving as a result of a work injury.  According to the Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Act, your employer can suspend your compensation...

Under the Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Act, injured workers are entitled to wage loss (“indemnity benefits”) based on the earnings at the time of injury.  Generally speaking, indemnity benefits are calculated based on two-thirds (2/3) of your average...

Sometimes when an employer has accepted liability for a work-injury, they have either incorrectly described the injury or not listed the complete extent of an injury. The good news is your employer has at least accepted liability and you are likely getting some of the...

If you sustain a work injury, you may receive a letter from your employer requesting you appear for an Independent Medical Examination (“IME”).  Under the Workers’ Compensation Act, employers may, and often do, request their injured employees to submit to a physical...

The simple answer to this question is “yes”. However, it is important to understand how the Act works and what is needed to prove that you sustained a psychological injury. Psychological injuries fall into three discrete areas and are compensable if the elements...