What Is a Notice of Compensation Payable in Pennsylvania Workers’ Comp?
A Notice of Compensation Payable (NCP) is a legal document issued in a Pennsylvania workers’ compensation claim when an employer’s insurance carrier accepts liability for a workplace injury. The NCP identifies the accepted work injuries, establishes the workers’ compensation benefits you are entitled to receive, and serves as an important document throughout your Pennsylvania workers’ compensation claim.
If you were injured at work in Pennsylvania, one of the important documents you may receive from your employer or its insurance company is a Notice of Compensation Payable (NCP). Receiving this document generally means that the insurance company has accepted liability for your work injury and that you are entitled to workers’ compensation benefits.
Notice of Compensation Payable – The Basics
The Notice of Compensation Payable can serve as the foundation of your workers’ compensation claim. It identifies the work-related injuries your employer has accepted, establishes the benefits you are entitled to receive, and becomes an important reference point throughout the process of your workers’ compensation claim.
Where does an NCP fit in the Workers’ Compensation Timeline?
Where does an NCP fit in the Workers’ Compensation Timeline?
In Pennsylvania, an employer, through its workers’ compensation insurance company, has 21 days after receiving notice of a work injury to either:
(a) Accept the claim by issuing a Notice of Compensation Payable (NCP)
A standard Notice of Compensation Payable means that the insurance company has accepted liability for your work injury. Once an NCP is issued, the insurance company has acknowledged that your injury is work-related and that you are entitled to receive the workers’ compensation benefits described in the document.
(b) Temporarily accept the claim by issuing a Temporary Notice of Compensation Payable (TNCP)
Unlike the Notice of Compensation Payable, a Temporary Notice of Compensation Payable does not necessarily mean that your claim has been accepted. Instead, a TNCP allows the insurance company to begin paying you benefits while it continues to investigate your claim for up to an additional 90 days.
If the employer does not file anything further within those 90 days, the TNCP will convert to a standard NCP.
(c) Deny the claim by issuing a Notice of Workers’ Compensation Denial (NOD)
If the employer denies your workers’ compensation claim, it will issue a document called a Notice of Compensation Denial (NOD). This does not mean that the workers’ compensation process is over, but rather that your attorney will file a petition called a claim petition.
The Key Elements of an NCP
Having an understanding of exactly what the Notice of Compensation Payable (NCP) should contain is an important step in protecting your benefits during the workers’ compensation process.
The relevant dates regarding your work injury
The NCP will contain the exact date that the work injury occurred and the date your benefits are set to begin.
Your average weekly wage (AWW) and your weekly compensation rate
Your AWW is an extremely important figure, as it serves as the baseline for calculating your weekly wage-loss benefits. In Pennsylvania, your weekly compensation rate is typically equal to about two-thirds of your average weekly wage.
A description of your injury
The NCP will list the specific injuries your employer and its insurance carrier have accepted liability for, along with a brief description of the nature of the injury and how the injury occurred.
The specific benefits you are entitled to
The NCP will identify which workers’ compensation benefits your employer has agreed to provide. Depending on the specific circumstances of your claim, benefits may include payment of medical expenses, payment of lost wages, or both.
What You Need to Know
After receiving an NCP (Notice of Compensation Payable), your attorney should carefully review the document to ensure that all the listed information is correct.
- The listed description and method of your work injury are accurate and complete;
- Your listed average weekly wage from the employer is correct;
- Your compensation rate was calculated correctly, and;
- All relevant dates listed in the document are correct.
If you believe that your NCP does not fully or accurately describe your injuries, your wages, or contains incorrect dates, depending on the circumstances, your attorney may file a Review Petition, which asks a Workers’ Compensation Judge to amend the NCP to accurately reflect your work-related injuries or other information contained in the NCP.
Identifying and correcting these issues early can help prevent disputes and ensure that the workers’ compensation process is moving as fast as possible
Your Employer Issued an NCP, What’s Next?
Just because your employer has issued an NCP accepting responsibility for your work injury does not mean the workers’ compensation process is over.
As your claim progresses, your employer may later file other documents seeking to alter, suspend, or terminate your workers’ compensation benefits. For example, they may argue that you have fully recovered from your injury, that you are capable of returning to work, or that a suitable job is available for you.
As an injured worker, the last thing you want is to be pressured to return to work before you are able, or to have your benefits challenged while you are still recovering. Because your rights may continue to be challenged throughout your claim, it is crucial to have an experienced Pennsylvania workers’ compensation attorney protecting your interests
How We Can Help
If you or someone you know has been injured at work, don’t wait to get legal advice. Partnering with an experienced Pennsylvania workers’ compensation attorney can make all the difference.
Stern & Cohen offers free consultations, and we operate on a contingency-fee basis, meaning we only get paid if we successfully secure benefits for you.
If you have questions about a Notice of Compensation Payable (NCP) or your Pennsylvania workers’ compensation claim, contact Stern & Cohen today for a free consultation.
FAQs
What does a Notice of Compensation Payable (NCP) mean in Pennsylvania workers’ compensation?
A Notice of Compensation Payable (NCP) means the workers’ compensation insurance company has accepted liability for your work injury. The NCP outlines your accepted injuries, compensation rate, and the workers’ compensation benefits you are entitled to receive.
Can a Notice of Compensation Payable (NCP) be changed?
Yes. If the NCP does not accurately describe your work injury, wages, or other important information, it may be amended through a Review Petition. Correcting errors can help protect your workers’ compensation benefits.
What is the difference between an NCP and a TNCP?
A Notice of Compensation Payable (NCP) means the insurance company has accepted your claim. A Temporary Notice of Compensation Payable (TNCP) allows the insurance company to pay benefits while investigating the claim for up to 90 days before making a final decision.
What should I do if my Notice of Compensation Payable contains incorrect information?
You should review the NCP carefully and notify your attorney if any information is inaccurate. Errors involving your injury description, average weekly wage, or compensation rate could affect your benefits.
Can my workers’ compensation benefits stop after an NCP is issued?
Yes. Even after an NCP is issued, an employer or insurance company may later seek to modify, suspend, or terminate benefits. An injured worker should continue medical treatment and monitor their claim to protect their rights under Pennsylvania workers’ compensation law.