When you get hurt on the job, one of the options you should look into is getting workers’ compensation. Workers’ compensation is designed to cover situations like yours, allowing you to get financial support for the injuries that you have suffered.

Workers’ compensation provides you with benefits such as:

  • Compensation for a portion of your lost wages
  • Compensation for medical expenses
  • Vocational rehabilitation
  • Death benefits

These benefits can be helpful to you and your family, but how long do they last?

According to the PA Workers’ Compensation Act, you can get partial disability benefits for up to 500 weeks (equivalent to 9.6 years). This is in addition to worker’s compensation, which is available for 104 weeks. In total, there are 11.6 years’ worth of compensation wage loss benefits available through the act.

How do you know if you are eligible for workers’ compensation?

After you get hurt at work, you need to determine if you are covered by workers’ compensation. Usually, if you simply ask your employer, they can tell you if they have workers’ compensation coverage. There may also be information about the coverage in your break room or office.

Employers in Pennsylvania get workers’ compensation through either a licensed insurance carrier or the State Workers’ Insurance Fund. Some are self-insured. The exact details of the coverage your employer has should be made available to you upon request. As long as your job is not exempt, you should be covered by the insurance policy from the first moment you began working for your employer.

Remember, you can get coverage if you’re hurt at work or have a condition you had previously get worse because of your work. Injuries, diseases and illnesses qualify whether they’re new or have just been aggravated by the time you’ve been employed.

If you want to make a claim, speak to your employer and let them know you’ve been injured. If you have trouble or want to learn more, you may want to speak with a legal professional about your options and how to get the compensation you need paid out to you over time.