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You may have just been hired for your first job out of college … Congrats! To take that a step further, we want you to be aware of your rights, and the compensation benefits that are required to be provided by your employer in case you are injured while working. A recent report revealed that the greatest amount of injuries in Pennsylvania occurred in the education and the health services fields.

Employees in Pennsylvania are entitled to workers’ compensation benefits and, although it can be quite lengthy and complicated, we want to briefly break down the Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Act, so you know what to expect in the workforce. Here at Gross & Kenny, LLP, our team of attorneys are trained to fight for the maximum compensation benefits in any line of work if our clients are injured on the job in and the surrounding Philadelphia area, including Montgomery, Bucks, Chester, and Delaware counties.

The Basics

Enacted in 1915, the Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Act works with the Department of Labor & Industry and the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation to protect both employees and employers. The system ensures that employees receive medical treatment and are compensated for wages lost from work-related injuries or disease and the system requires that employers cover those costs, while also being protected from any direct lawsuits by employees. Employees are covered by these workers’ compensation benefits the entire time of their employment, starting on the first day.

Employers Are Required By Law To:

• Post a notice somewhere onsite that lists the name, address, and telephone number of who to contact to file a workers’ compensation claim or to find out more information.
• Provide a safe place to work, including tools and equipment
• Offer enough staff that can also complete the particular occupation in a competent manner.
• Make employees aware of any occupational dangers.
• Create and enforce the rules necessary for the safety of all employees.

Employers Who Are Not Required To Carry Workers’ Compensation Coverage

Some employers may be exempt from this coverage if employees work as, or fall under these categories:

• Railroad workers
• Federal employees
• Longshoremen
• Agricultural workers (those who work fewer than 30 days or earn less than $1,200 a year)
• Any licensed real estate agents or brokers, and licensed insurance agents who are working commission-only and considered independent contractors.
• Sole proprietors and general partners
• Employees are given an exception because of a certain religious belief
• Casual workers (temporary employment)

Let Us Help You If You Are Injured On The Job

Our award-winning attorneys at Gross & Kenny, LLP, specializing in workers’ compensation, so we know what it takes to maximize the benefits you deserve. Call us, and we will take it from there; we will sit down with you to understand your unique needs, file any necessary paperwork and fill out forms, schedule medical appointments, provide physicians with medical records, come up with the right strategy and negotiate for you every step of the way. That way, you have the peace of mind needed to heal and recover from your injury during this challenging time.