4 Types of Workers’ Compensation Benefits

Understanding Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Benefits

One of the most common questions injured workers ask is what benefits are available after a workplace injury.

Pennsylvania workers’ compensation is designed to provide financial and medical support to employees who are injured in the course and scope of their employment. The benefits available depend on the severity of the injury, whether the worker misses time from work, and the long-term impact of the injury.

The four primary types of workers’ compensation benefits in Pennsylvania are:

• Medical Benefits
• Wage-Loss Benefits
• Specific Loss Benefits
• Death Benefits

1. Medical Benefits

When an employee suffers a work-related injury, workers’ compensation should cover all reasonable and necessary medical treatment related to that injury.

Medical benefits may include:

• Emergency treatment
• Hospital visits
• Surgeries
• Physical therapy
• Prescription medications
• Diagnostic testing
• Specialist care
• Medical equipment

After reporting a work injury, an employee may initially be required to treat with an approved panel physician if the employer has properly posted a panel list.

Importantly, medical benefits may be available even if the worker never misses time from work. If treatment is necessary because of a work injury, the workers’ compensation insurance company is generally responsible for paying those medical expenses.

Unfortunately, insurance companies sometimes deny responsibility for a claim, leaving injured workers struggling to obtain treatment. When this happens, an experienced workers’ compensation attorney can help pursue the benefits necessary to obtain medical care.

2. Wage-Loss Benefits

Many work injuries prevent employees from performing their regular job duties. When a work injury causes a loss of earning power, an injured worker may qualify for wage-loss benefits.

In Pennsylvania workers’ compensation cases, disability refers to a loss of earning power rather than the injury itself.

If your claim is accepted and you are unable to work because of your injury, you may receive wage-loss benefits based on your Average Weekly Wage (AWW).

Generally, wage-loss benefits are calculated at approximately two-thirds of your pre-injury earnings, subject to state maximums.

For example:

If you earned $900 per week before your work injury and were completely out of work, your weekly workers’ compensation benefit could be approximately $600 per week.

Workers may also qualify for partial disability benefits if they return to work in a light-duty position or at reduced wages because of their injury.

Even when a claim has been denied, injured workers may still have the right to pursue wage-loss benefits through a Claim Petition.

3. Specific Loss Benefits

Pennsylvania workers’ compensation provides additional benefits for certain permanent injuries, even when the worker does not lose time from work.

Specific loss benefits may be available for:

• Amputation of a body part
• Permanent loss of use of a body part
• Significant hearing loss
• Loss of vision
• Serious and permanent disfigurement of the head, neck, or face

Unlike wage-loss benefits, specific loss benefits are not based on whether the worker misses work or experiences a loss of earnings.

For example, an employee who suffers a permanent hearing loss due to workplace noise exposure may be entitled to compensation even if they continue working.

Disfigurement benefits are also commonly awarded for permanent scars resulting from work injuries or surgeries. Serious and unsightly scarring to the head, face, or neck may result in additional compensation under Pennsylvania law.

4. Death Benefits

Tragically, some workplace injuries and occupational illnesses result in death.

In these situations, surviving family members may be entitled to workers’ compensation death benefits through a Fatal Claim Petition.

Death benefits may include:

• Weekly compensation payments
• Burial expenses
• Ongoing financial support for eligible dependents

Eligible beneficiaries may include:

• A surviving spouse
• Children under the age of 18
• Certain dependent parents
• Certain dependent siblings

Pennsylvania law imposes deadlines for filing fatal claim petitions, making it important to seek legal guidance as soon as possible.

Why Legal Representation Matters

Although Pennsylvania workers’ compensation benefits are intended to protect injured workers, insurance companies frequently dispute claims, deny medical treatment, challenge wage-loss benefits, and contest the extent of injuries.

An experienced workers’ compensation attorney can help:

• File the proper petitions
• Protect your rights
• Pursue denied benefits
• Secure medical treatment
• Maximize compensation available under Pennsylvania law

Talk to a Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Lawyer

If you have been injured at work or have questions about workers’ compensation benefits in Pennsylvania, the attorneys at Stern & Cohen are here to help.

Whether you need medical benefits, wage-loss benefits, specific loss benefits, or assistance with a fatal claim petition, our team has extensive experience representing injured workers throughout Pennsylvania.

Contact Stern & Cohen today for a free consultation.

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