How Long Can Workers' Compensation Benefits Last?
If you are injured on the job in Pennsylvania, you are almost certainly covered by workers’ compensation, which will afford you specific benefits. If your underlying injury or illness is serious, however, the matter of how long your benefits will last is of critical concern – consult with our experienced workers’ comp attorneys today.
Partial Disability Benefits
If, at some point, the injury or illness you suffer on the job allows you to return to work at a wage loss – such as by performing a lower-paying job – your total disability benefits can transition to partial disability benefits that address your loss in income. Partial disability benefits come with a cap of 500 weeks – or about nine and a half years – but the involved insurance provider may attempt to settle your claim with a lump sum or to end your benefits well before the 500-week mark.
Total Disability Benefits
If your work-related injury or illness keeps you off the job altogether, you could potentially receive workers’ compensation benefits indefinitely. Generally, however, workers’ compensation benefits end in response to one of the following:
- You return to work for your original employer or for a new employer. If you earn as much as you did at the time of your injury, your benefits will end, but if you earn less, you may be entitled to partial disability benefits.
- It is determined that you have fully recovered from your work-related injury, which generally involves having an independent medical examination performed by a doctor chosen by the workers’ comp provider.
- It is determined that you can return to work in some capacity.
- You reach a settlement with the involved workers’ compensation insurance company, which generally means receiving a lump sum. This usually means that even total disability benefits will end.
Under Pennsylvania’s workers’ compensation coverage and benefits, the involved insurance company can require you to participate in an impairment rating evaluation by a medical professional of their choosing. It can occur at the two-year mark – or after receiving benefits for at least 104 weeks. If your impairment rating is reduced to less than 35 percent, your benefits could change from total to partial, which will not affect your benefit amount but will affect its duration.
The Bottom Line
The bottom line when it comes to workers’ compensation disability benefits is that the legal process includes challenging intricacies. Without solid legal representation backing you up, you are far more vulnerable to receiving fewer benefits than the amount to which you’re entitled.
Call Our Experienced Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Today
The esteemed Pennsylvania workers’ compensation attorneys at Mette Attorneys at Law have reserves of experience successfully advocating for the rights of injured workers, and we appreciate the opportunity to also help you. Your claim is important to your future, so please don’t wait to reach out. Contact us online or call for more information about what we can do to help you today.