Under the Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Act, you are eligible for benefits if you suffer a job-related injury, disease or illness. Compensation is not paid for self-inflicted injury, or injury suffered if you are impaired by illegal drugs or alcohol. Each eligible illness or disease is considered for the following possible benefits:

• Lost wages: Benefits are available to cover wages you lose when you are out of work with either a partial or total disability.
• Medical care and expenses: You are entitled to payment for medical care, treatment and specialized supplies for job-related injury or illness.
• Specific loss: Losing physical use of parts of your body makes you eligible for specific loss benefits. Injuries like scarring of the head, neck or face, or loss of use of arms, legs, digits and senses like sight and hearing are eligible for this compensation.
• Death benefits: Compensation is paid to your survivors should you suffer a fatal work injury.

You do not need to consult a workers’ comp lawyer before filing a claim, but it is a smart idea to have an experienced attorney look over your application before you file. Making sure your workers comp claim is complete and accurate on the first submission may save you the time and delay of the appeals process if your claim is denied.

If you are injured in the workplace in Philadelphia or anywhere in Pennsylvania, report your injury and be sure to get good legal advice.