Reporting Your PA Worker's Comp Claim

Know Your Rights

Before an injured worker is entitled to file a claim for workers' compensation benefits through the Bureau of Workers' Compensation there are certain hoops which the injured worker must jump through in order to preserve payment of medical bills and wage loss associated with the injury.

1. Notify your employer immediately or at least within 120 days regardless of the nature or severity of the injury.
2. Make sure an accident report is filed immediately.
3. If you expect your employer to make payments for medical bills incurred as a result of your injury, you must treat with the employer's designated physician (from a list of 6 names) for 90 days from your initial visit. Thereafter, you can treat with a physician of your choice, as long as you notify your employer within 5 days of your initial visit with this physician.
4. If your disability last more than 7 calendar days and wage loss benefits are not paid within 21 days of the onset of your disability, then you should contact our Workers' Compensation Department.

Just as the employee has to jump through certain hoops to preserve their rights, so must the employer.

Employers can be penalized for failure to abide by the following rules:

1. Employer has 21 days to advise the employee whether the injury is accepted or denied as work-related and provide appropriate paperwork.
2. Post a list of six panel physicians.
3. Provide medical reports to employee as requested.
4. Pay medical bills within 30 days of billing for accepted injuries.

Always report any injury which you believe occurred on the job within 120 days of the injury and find out whether your employer is accepting the injury as work-related 21 days after you have reported your injury. Once proper notice is given to the employer an injured employee has three years to file a claim.

Lump Sum Settlement

If you are currently receiving workers' compensation weekly benefits you may be entitled to a lump sum settlement in order to resolve your workers' compensation claim. Additionally, if you are receiving workers' compensation benefits and the insurance company or your prior employer is sending you on job interviews, they may have an interest in resolving your claim for a lump sum rather than continuing to pay weekly benefits. Consult the attorneys of our Workers' Compensation Department if you wish to pursue a settlement.

Looking for a worker's compensation lawyer? Contact us.