Pennsylvania workers compensation law spells out the benefits you'll receive when you experience a work-related injury. However, if you're not aware of the different types of compensation available to you, it can affect your claims.

To get a good result, injured employees prefer to hire top workers compensation attorneys in Lancaster PA. A lawyer can analyze your case and explain in detail the kind of benefits you can receive. Let's consider the types of workers comp benefits available in Pennsylvania.

Medical Coverage Workers compensation will cover medical treatments that are reasonable and necessary for your injuries. Reasonable medical costs include doctor's appointments, surgeries, prescriptions that are related to your treatment.

Wage Loss Benefits Workers comp pays a portion of your lost income if you're unable to work due to a disability. This benefit depends on the injury's severity, and the time it'll take to heal. Pennsylvania classifies this disability in two ways.

Total Disability Total disability benefits are payable as long as you're unable to work. However, after collecting total disability for 104 weeks, your employer's insurer may request you to undergo an Impairment Rating Evaluation (IRE).

If the result of the examination shows that you have less than 50% whole body impairment, you'll classify as partially disabled. However, you'll still receive your total disability benefits for a limited period of 500 weeks. Your employer's insurer can attempt to reduce your benefit during the 500 weeks, but top workers comp attorneys in Lancaster, PA, can defend you.

Partial Disability Partial disability indicates that you can earn some wages through light-duty work, although you haven't fully recovered. Usually, it's the result of an IRE or the insurance company's doctor that'll determine if you're partially disabled.

If your new light-duty job pays less than your previous position, you'll receive two-thirds of the difference between both wages. These benefits are payable for a maximum period of 500 weeks.

Specific Loss Benefits Specific loss includes loss of body part, permanent disfigurement to neck, head, and face, and loss of hearing or vision. If you suffer a work-related specific loss, you'll be eligible for two-thirds of your average weekly wages for a particular period.

Death Benefits Death benefits are payable to your heir or beneficiary if you pass away due to a workplace injury or illness. Your dependents will receive the death benefits within 300 weeks of the injury or exposure to hazards. It includes $3,000 funeral expenses, benefits to a spouse until they remarry, and children under 18 (under 23 if they're full-time students).

Conclusion Insurance companies won't explain your entitlements to you before giving you an offer. Therefore, it's vital to know the different benefits you can receive when you suffer from a work injury. While these benefits are broad, the best workers compensation lawyers in Lancaster, PA, can point out which benefits apply to you.

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While workers' compensation helps take care of different expenses, it doesn't make up for a full-time salary. Besides helping you earn more, returning to work may also help you feel better around supportive co-workers. If you're eager to go back to work after an injury, you must do so carefully.

What Should I do? You should first consult a doctor to give you the go-ahead. He'll examine you to determine if you've reached maximum medical improvement (MMI), meaning your injuries have healed as much as they can. If yes, he'll clear you for work, and if not, he may tell you to stay back.

Your doctor may also ask you to resume with specific work restrictions, even when you don't reach MMI. For instance, if your work entails heavy lifting, he'll give you limits that'll notify your employer to place you on lighter duties. Most times, you'll get a new job duty on lower pay.

What If I Feel Better but Didn't Get Clearance? If your doctor doesn't clear you, don't return to work on your directive. Even if you feel well enough, you should listen to your physician. Returning too early might affect your recovery process, and you could re-injure yourself.

What If I Don't Feel Better After Clearance? If your doctor clears you to return to work and you don't, you might lose your workers' compensation benefits. If you don't feel well enough after medical clearance, contact one of the top workers comp attorneys in Lancaster, PA, immediately.

What If My Employer Insists That I Return to Work? As part of the workers' compensation process, employers usually request an injured employee to go through an independent medical examination (IME). Sometimes, the IME's report might clear you to return to work, while your doctor's report doesn't.

Employers don't enjoy paying workers compensation benefits and may force you to resume based on the IME results. If you're in such a situation, contact one of the top workers compensation attorneys in Lancaster PA to handle your case.

Can My Employer Fire Me for Not Returning? Yes. Your employer can fire you when you don't return. However, you may still be able to receive workers' compensation benefits if you have an experienced attorney.