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.”
Who is 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.”
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.”
When am I Covered?
“Coverage begins on the date of hire.”
Choice of Health Care Provider
“You are free to choose your own health care provider to treat your work injury unless the employer accepts your claim and has posted in your workplace a list of six or more physicians or health care providers. You are required to visit a provider on the list for initial treatment. You are to continue treatment with that provider or another on the list for a period of 90 days following the first visit. You may see any provider on the list; your employer may not require or direct you to any specific provider on the list.”
All information here can be found at this link: https://www.dli.pa.gov/Individuals/Workers-Compensation/publications/Pages/LIBC-100-WC–The-Injured-Worker-Pamphlet.aspx#wc