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If you have been injured at work, you need someone on your side. You need an attorney who understands the Pennsylvania Workers' Compensation Act and all of the regulations that your employer and its insurance company will never adequately explain to you. Attorney Marla Joseph has devoted her career to representing injured individuals in all types of Pennsylvania workers' compensation claims. Below are answers to some of the most common questions about Pennsylvania workers' compensation law. What is a Work Injury? A "work injury" is any injury, medical condition or disease that is caused by a person's job, according to Section 301(c)(1) of the Pennsylvania Workers' Compensation Act, 77 P.S. §411(1). The Act does not list specific types of injuries, other than the requirement that the condition must be related to the worker's employment. In addition, a work injury also includes occupational diseases and pre-existing conditions that are aggravated by a person's job. This means that everything from broken bones to strains and sprains to latex allergies to hepatitis may be considered a work injury. Do I Have to Tell My Employer I Was Hurt on the Job, and If So, When? Yes. Section 311 of the Workers' Compensation requires that notice of an injury be given within twenty-one (21) days after it occurs, or at the latest, within 120 days of the injury. In general, you should tell your supervisor or boss as soon as you are hurt, even if you think it is a minor injury or will go away without requiring medical care. When Does My Employer Have to Start Paying My Workers' Comp Benefits? Under the Workers' Compensation Act, an employer and its insurance company have 21 days after they receive notice of the injury to either agree that an injury is work-related (and issue a Notice of Compensation Payable or Notice of Temporary Compensation Payable) or to deny the claim (and issue a Notice of Compensation Denial). Before you can receive wage losses, there must be medical proof from a doctor confirming your injuries and whether you can return to work or there are any restrictions on the type of work you can do. Most insurance companies mail checks every other week to injured workers, although a few pay wage loss benefits weekly. How Much Do I Receive? Workers' compensation wage loss benefits are calculated based upon what is called the injured worker's "average weekly wage." The average weekly wage is generally 2/3rds of the amount a worker had earned before getting hurt on the job. There are exceptions to this rule. For example, there is maximum benefit rate, so highly-paid workers often receive less than 2/3rds of their average weekly wage. In addition, some workers will receive either a fixed rate or 90 percent of their prior average earnings, depending upon various factors. Also, it is crucial for you to report any income from jobs that you performed other than the job where you were injured (this is called "concurrent employment"). You may be entitled to a higher workers' compensation rate based on the income from this concurrent employment. Do I Have to Go to the Company Doctor? Under Section 306(f.

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