In Pennsylvania, the workers’ compensation system serves as a safety net for employees who experience work-related injuries or illnesses. It helps to ensure that injured workers receive quality, no-cost medical care, partial wage replacement and other valuable benefits.
Assuming that you have coverage in the first place – as most workers do – how can you know if your work-related problem is eligible for workers’ compensation benefits?
When it comes to workers’ compensation, eligibility for benefits is less about the type of injury in question and more about how it occurred. The first requirement is that the incident and resulting injuries must be work-related. In other words, it must have happened during on-duty hours and stem from your job duties. For example, you can access your benefits if injured in a workplace accident or if you suffer from cumulative trauma injuries caused by repetitive work.
What about occupational illnesses?
Your coverage extends to job-related illnesses. Examples include firefighters with heart disease, construction workers with lung issues from dust exposure or chemical poisoning from workplace hazards. Some illnesses are specific to certain industries. For example, medical workers face exposure to contaminated biological matter and trash collectors could be exposed to toxic substances and medical waste.
Navigating challenges
Although workers’ compensation is meant to be an efficient system, some injured workers encounter difficulties accessing benefits. If your claim results in denial, seek guidance on how to appeal the decision, and if your employer tries to obstruct the process, know that legal resources are available to help you secure the benefits you deserve.