Non-fatal injuries cause thousands of Pennsylvania employees to miss work each year. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), 1.5 million work injuries and illnesses in the U.S. accounted for 655,600 days away from work in 2016 alone. According to a new study, employees who suffer a work injury that causes them to miss work early in their employment are more likely to have future lost-time claims later.

Study Examines Future Risk of Lost-Time Injuries

The study, published in the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, was conducted by researchers at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. They sought to identify factors that predict future risks of multiple lost time injuries by studying data of employees who suffered 5,906 injuries from 1994 to 2017.

Researchers in the study found employment duration to be a predictive factor of lost-time injuries. According to the study, workers who suffer a job injury within six months of being hired are more than twice as likely to have three or more lost-time injuries during their employment. Also, the probability of having three or more lost-time injuries decreases 13 percent with each year of employment that a worker does not have a lost-time injury.

What is a Lost-Time Claim?

Employees whose injuries cause them to miss work may receive compensation for that lost time. However, even if an injury does not cause an employee to miss work, it may still warrant medical benefits. Under the Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Act, employees are entitled to receive medical benefits for any reasonable and necessary medical expenses related to their work injury.

A lost-time claim refers to workers’ compensation claims specifically for lost time from work or a worker’s inability to perform their previous job duties. Therefore, workers who return to work on light duty are still eligible to file a lost-time claim. Those attempting to collect maximum benefits in their case may need an attorney to help ensure they obtain the compensation to which they are entitled.

Collecting Benefits for Missed Work

Pennsylvania workers who are unable to return to work for more than seven days due to their injuries may collect temporary or permanent disability payments. Depending on the type and severity of a worker’s injury, they may receive such payments for up to 500 weeks. Benefits are payable on the eighth missed day; however, retroactive payment is typically issued after a worker has missed 14 days of work.

To remain eligible for workers’ compensation benefits under the Act, workers must report their injuries to their employers within 120 days. Wage-loss benefits equal approximately two-thirds of a worker’s average weekly wage, up to a maximum amount set by the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry (DOL). Injured workers should seek the counsel of a local, qualified attorney for more information regarding their legal rights and options.

Philadelphia Work Accident Lawyers at Larry Pitt & Associates, P.C. Advocate for Injured Workers

If you suffered a work injury, contact the Philadelphia work accident lawyers at Larry Pitt & Associates, P.C. We will review your case and obtain the benefits you rightfully deserve. We provide skilled, comprehensive legal services to clients across the state. For a free consultation, complete our online contact form or call us at 888-PITT-LAW.

Located in Philadelphia, Bensalem, Lansdowne, and Reading, we represent 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.