We’re The Answer You’ve Been Looking For

Injured at work in Pennsylvania?

On Behalf of | Mar 23, 2009 | Workers' Compensation

Too often an employee suffers a work accident and serious injury. The employer is reluctant to initially report the injury out of fear the compensation premiums will rise. Here are some tips when dealing with an employer that refuses to report a work injury.

First, ask your employer for an accident. Some employers will voluntarily provide a report. Take your time completing the report. After you complete the report, make a copy of the report for your records.

Now, if the employer refuses to provide an accident report for you to complete, make your own report. Write down the date of the accident, time of the accident, body parts injured, and any witnesses to the accident. This self made report should be sent to your employer via certified mail.Again, make a copy of this report and keep it for your records.

After the injury is reported, you must begin your medical treatment with a work injury in Pennsylvania with a “panel” physician. A “Panel” physician is a doctor who is assigned by the compensation carrier to provide medical care. Each employer is required to keep a list of these doctors displayed in an prominent area at your place of employment. Under PennsyvlaniaWorkers Compensation Laws, you are required to stay with this doctor for the first 90 days. After 90 days, the injured worker is able to obtain his own physician. Being able to select your own doctor is a major advantage for the injured worker.

Hopefully at this point, you have an accident report which was provided to your employer and you have seen a panel physician who wrote a detailed history of your accident. The next step is determining when you will receive your first money check.

In Pennsylvania, the Compensation Carrier has 21 days to deny your case or admit your case. Therefore, you will not receive a check during the first 21 days you are out of work. However, you will receive retroactive benefits so long as the compensation carrier accepts your injury.

The following are some general helpful tips when you are injured at work. THE FOLLOWING IS NOT SPECIFIC LEGAL ADVICE BUT A GENERAL DISCUSSION ON THE LAW. IF YOU HAVE A SPECIFIC QUESTION, PLEASE CONTACT OUR OFFICE.

RSS Feed

FindLaw Network