Suffering an injury at work is stressful enough without hearing that your employer thinks it was your fault. If you have been told that, you may wonder whether it affects your ability to file for workers’ compensation.
How Pennsylvania’s no-fault system protects you
The state makes use of a no-fault workers’ compensation system. This typically means that you do not need to prove that your employer did something wrong to receive benefits.
Instead, the key issue is whether the injury happened while you worked. This includes accidents on the job site during work hours or while you carried out tasks that supported your employer’s business. For example, this can involve a slip on a wet floor, a back strain from lifting materials or an injury from using equipment.
Which actions hurt your claim
While the no-fault framework covers most workplace injuries, the following conduct could affect your eligibility:
- Self-inflicted injuries: If evidence shows that you intentionally harmed yourself, the insurer may deny your case.
- Intoxication: If drug or alcohol use directly contributed to the injury, it could disqualify you from receiving benefits.
- Violation of a specific safety rule: If the injury happened while you knowingly ignored a clear workplace safety policy, the employer has a basis to challenge the claim.
Employers and insurers sometimes raise these defenses even when the facts do not clearly support them. If you find yourself in that position, consulting with an attorney can help you evaluate where your case stands.
What the claims process looks like
If your employer disputes fault, the next step is to build a clear record of what happened. Written statements, medical records and witness accounts help show the facts and push back against any claim that you acted outside your job duties or took unnecessary risks.
The process usually begins with a petition, where you submit medical evidence and may take part in hearings before a workers’ compensation judge. If your employer relies on a legal exception, the employer must prove that it applies.
State law also sets strict deadlines, so you need to notify your employer of the injury within 120 days. If you report it within 21 days, you can receive benefits back to the date of the injury, while a formal petition generally must be within three years of the injury through the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation.