• Chemical exposure-related illnesses: Hazardous chemicals and materials used in school laboratories may cause teachers to suffer illness or injury if they are improperly handled, labeled, or manufactured. Also, various parts of the school building may become contaminated due to toxic environmental conditions, which can cause teachers to become ill after repeated exposure.
• Injuries due to workplace violence: School violence is becoming increasingly prevalent, prompting many schools to take precautions in order to keep students and staff safe. However, despite preventive measures such as required visitor sign-in, designated waiting areas, and photo identification for employees, instances of school violence still occur.
• Musculoskeletal injuries: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders are common among teachers. Prolonged periods of standing, sitting, and bending at awkward positions, as well as lifting heavy objects are all duties that may contribute to such injuries.
• Repetitive stress injuries: Teachers often perform the same tasks over and over such as grading papers, typing on the computer, or standing in front of the class. These types of repetitive behaviors can lead to repetitive stress injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome, bursitis, and epicondylitis.
• Slip and fall injuries: Among the most common accidents in any workplace are slip and falls. Teachers may suffer slip, trip, and fall accidents due to objects left in the walkways, slippery floors, electrical cords, uneven carpeting, and other school hazards.
• Stress-related diseases: Budget cuts, oversized classes, and unruly children are just some of the work-related stress factors that can cause teachers to become ill. In Pennsylvania, teachers may be able to obtain workers’ compensation benefits for mental stress-related illnesses and injuries under certain conditions – speak with a local workers’ compensation attorney to see if they apply in your case.

Types of Workers’ Compensation Available for Teachers in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania teachers are covered by the state Workers’ Compensation Act, which provides employees with prompt payment for medical expenses and lost wages resulting from their work injuries. In exchange, workers are prohibited from filing personal lawsuits against their employers and must instead seek compensation from their employer’s workers’ compensation insurance.

Available types of workers’ compensation benefits under the Act include:

• Medical expense reimbursement: Teachers are entitled to compensation for all reasonable and necessary medical expenses resulting from their injuries, including physical therapy, surgeries, and medications.
• Temporary/permanent disability: Wage loss compensation may be available for teachers whose injuries cause them to miss more than seven days of work
• Specific loss/disfigurement benefits: Teachers who suffer face or neck disfigurement may be entitled to scarring and disfigurement benefits, which vary depending on the type and severity of the injury.
• Death benefits: Surviving family members of teachers who died as a result of their workplace injury or illness may be eligible for death benefits, including a percentage of the deceased worker’s salary and up to $3,000 in funeral expenses.

Philadelphia Workers’ Compensation Lawyers at Larry Pitt & Associates, P.C. Help Teachers Obtain Benefits for Their Injuries

If you were injured at work or you have been diagnosed with a work-related illness, contact a Philadelphia workers’ compensation lawyer at Larry Pitt & Associates, P.C. Our experienced attorneys proudly represent teachers in Philadelphia and throughout Pennsylvania. For a free consultation, please complete our online contact form or call us at 888-PITT-LAW today.

We proudly represent all types of injured workers in Berks County, Bucks County, Chester County, Delaware County, Montgomery County, Philadelphia County and throughout Pennsylvania, including those in the communities of Abington, Ambler, Ardmore, Bala Cynwyd, Bensalem, Clifton Heights, Crum Lynne, Darby, Downingtown, Doylestown, Drexel Hill, Essington, Folcroft, Glenolden, Haverford, Havertown, Holmes, Kutztown, Lansdowne, Media, Merion Station, Morton, Narberth, Norristown, Norwood, Philadelphia, Prospect Park, Quakertown, Reading, Roxborough, Sharon Hill, Upper Darby, West Chester and Wynnewood.