Am I covered for my workplace injury? It is a question our patients commonly ask.
If you suffer a pain-inducing workplace injury in or around Philadelphia, you may — in fact — be covered by workmen’s compensation.
The Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry publishes a number of helpful pages of information on their website, explaining workmen’s comp, such as the one at this link.
In it, the department answers the following questions (excerpts from the department website below)
“What is workers’ compensation?
If you sustain a job injury or a work-related illness, the Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Act, or Act, provides for your medical expenses and, in the event you are unable to work, wage-loss compensation benefits until you’re able to go back to work. Additionally, death benefits for work-related deaths are paid to your dependent survivors.Benefits are paid by private insurance companies (also includes third-party administrators) or the State Workers’ Insurance Fund (a state-run workers’ compensation insurance carrier) self-insured employers.
Are you covered?
Nearly every Pennsylvania worker is covered by the Act. Employers must provide workers’ compensation (WC) coverage for all of their employees, including seasonal and part-time workers. Nonprofit corporations, unincorporated businesses and even employers with only one employee must comply with the Act’s requirements.Some employees are covered by other compensation laws, including: federal civilian employees, railroad workers, longshoremen, shipyard and harbor workers. Others who may not be covered include volunteer workers, agricultural laborers, casual employees, domestics and employees who have been granted a personal religious exemption from the Act. Certain types of executive officers of corporations may elect exemption from the Act. A worker should seek further information if there is any doubt as to coverage.If you learn that your employer does not have insurance or is not self-insured for workers’ compensation, you may be eligible for benefits from the Uninsured Employer Guaranty Fund. For details, call the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation, toll free, at 800-482-2383; or locally and outside Pennsylvania at 717-772-4447.
What is covered?
If your work causes an injury, illness or disease, you may be entitled to WC. No compensation shall be paid when an injury or death is intentionally self-inflicted, or is caused by an employee’s violation of the law including, but not limited to, the illegal use of drugs. An injury or death caused by intoxication also may not be covered.”
If you are experiencing pain from a workplace injury or accident, contact one of our many Philadelphia locations to make an appointment with a pain management doctor or medical professional who can help you get relief.
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