Important information you need to know.

Workers’ Compensation is a separate body of law

from general civil litigation and is controlled by a specific Statute which spans over 1800 pages.  Workers’ Compensation litigation occurs before Workers’ Compensation Judges who have offices located throughout the State in most large towns and cities.

 

Workers’ Compensation is intended to automatically pay medical expenses and wage loss benefits (2/3rds of lost wages) related to an injury occurring at the place of employment. The payment of wage loss benefits and medical bills is for an indefinite period and can continue for the life of the injured employee.

 

If a Notice of Compensation Payable is not issued within 21 days, the claim is denied.

In this case, a Claim Petition is filed and hearings are held.

 

At hearings, both sides offer evidence in the form of testimony and documents.

Hearings are generally scheduled once every few months.  After one (1) or more (usually more) a Decision is rendered which will become final if not appealed within 20 days.  Appeals may be taken to the Workers’ Compensation Appeal Board, and later to commonwealth court.

 

When a work injury is accepted as payable, the employer and its insurance company issues a Notice of Compensation Payable,

basically an agreement to pay for the Workers’ Compensation injury.  Wage loss benefits and medical bills continue to be paid until the injured employee completely recovers at which time the case may be terminated.

 

The date of injury is the date on which the employee suffered the work place injury.  Injuries can be gradual in onset such as repetitive motion injuries like carpal tunnel which occur due to repetitive use or repeated small traumas which add up to become a disabling condition.  For gradual onset injuries, the date of injury is often the date diagnosed.