Will I Be Paid if I Miss Work?

Were you injured on the job in Gettysburg, Chambersburg, or elsewhere in the surrounding region in the Commonwealth? You have the right to file a workers’ comp claim. As long as you were hurt within the course and scope of your employment, you will generally be paid for the time you lost at work. Our Pennsylvania workers’ compensation attorney can help you get paid if you lose time from work due to an injury.

Starting Point: Wage Loss Benefits Depend on Disability Status

In Pennsylvania, workers’ comp covers wage loss. With that being said, wage loss pays benefits based on disability, not diagnosis. Total disability applies when the injury prevents all work. On the other hand, partial disability applies when you can work with restrictions but earn less than before. The classification of a particular worker’s injuries will turn on medical evidence and available work within his or her medical restrictions.

What to Know About the Commonwealth’s Seven-Day Waiting Period and Retroactive Pay

A key thing that injured workers should know is that Pennsylvania imposes a waiting period before wage-loss benefits begin. If disability lasts seven days or fewer, no wage-loss benefits are payable. If disability exceeds seven days, benefits start on day eight. If disability lasts fourteen days or more, only then will benefits become retroactive to day one. In other words, you need to miss at least seven days to get wage loss workers’ comp benefits. If you miss fourteen or more days on the job, you can get retroactive pay for those first seven days as well.

How Weekly Compensation is Calculated for Pennsylvania Workers’ Comp

Weekly wage-loss benefits equal two-thirds of the employee’s average weekly wage. The average weekly wage calculation can be complex. It may include overtime, bonuses, and concurrent employment depending on earnings history. Notably, that figure is subject to a statewide maximum statutory benefit. Injured workers should know that errors in the calculation are far too common. If you have any questions or concerns about the calculation of benefits in your case, an experienced Pennsylvania workers’ compensation attorney can help.

Note: Under Pennsylvania law (77 P.S. § 631), injured workers are required to give notice of their accident to their employer in a timely manner. Failure to tell your employer about your injuries could prevent you from getting workers’ comp benefits. In workers’ comp cases, the sooner you take action, the better. A proactive approach is a must.

Call Our Pennsylvania Workers’ Comp Lawyer for a Free Consultation

At DiLoreto, Cosentino & Bolinger P.C., our Pennsylvania workers’ comp attorney is here as a legal resource you can trust. If you have any questions about getting paid after losing time at work, we can help. Contact us today for your free case review. You do not have to take on the workers’ comp claims process alone. We have offices in Gettysburg and Chambersburg, and we handle workers’ comp claims throughout the region.