When an injured worker in Pennsylvania goes back to modified duty work, and then loses that job through no fault of his own, typically the injured worker is entitled to a reinstatement of benefits, back to total disability benefits. Of course, as always, there are exceptions to the rule. One…
Articles Posted in Case Law Update
Injured PA worker Denied Benefits Due to Not Having Transportation
Once an injured worker in Pennsylvania establishes that he or she is disabled from work, due to the work injury, typically the workers’ compensation benefits continue (at the “temporary total disability” rate) until either the injured worker goes back to work, fully recovers, settles the case, or, loses litigation which…
Pain Medication Denied to Injured PA Worker
Not long ago, we discussed our belief that the Pennsylvania Chamber of Commerce and PA workers’ comp insurance industry will soon be gearing up to have legislation introduced to curtail the rights of injured workers in PA. As we mentioned, the Utilization Review (UR) process is squarely on their radar…
Worker Injured During Sex Entitled to Workers’ Comp Benefits
Granted, the decision is not from a Court in Pennsylvania, but, instead, one in Australia. At the same time though, a Court finding that a worker injured while having sex is entitled to workers’ compensation benefits, is one which cries out to be explored. And, the result is not as…
Rights of Illegal Alien to PA Workers’ Comp Heard by PA Supreme Court
As we have previously discussed on this blog, generally speaking, Pennsylvania workers’ compensation benefits are available to every totally disabled injured worker, regardless of whether that injured worker has legal status to work in this Country or not. The issue of legal status does matter, however, when the injured worker…
Burden of Proof Less for Physical/Mental Case in PA Workers’ Comp
Loyal readers of our blog know that it can be very difficult to have a psychological injury accepted as compensable in Pennsylvania workers’ compensation. However, what you may not realize is that psychological injuries are divided into three classes, and only one of those classes carries this higher burden of…
PA Court Condones Blatant Violation of Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Act
Once workers’ compensation benefits in PA are started, usually by issuance of a Notice of Compensation Payable (NCP), under the Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Act, generally a workers’ comp insurance carrier cannot stop the payment of such benefits without a Supplemental Agreement, a Notice of Benefits Offset or a judicial order.…
Notice of Ability to RTW Not Necessary Where Claimant Has Knowledge
The Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Act, in Section 306(b)(3), requires that an insurance carrier provide notice (in the form of a “Notice of Ability to Return to Work”) to an injured worker when the carrier receives information that the injured worker is able to work in any capacity. This notice is…
PA Unemployment Compensation Benefits Allowed Despite Use of “Moron”
While we limit our practice to representing injured workers in Pennsylvania workers’ compensation cases, We could not help but notice a recent PA unemployment compensation case decided by the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania. Unemployment compensation benefits are generally available in Pennsylvania when an employee involuntarily loses his or her job,…
PA Workers Comp Settlement Cannot be Reopened For Medical Bill
Settling a workers’ compensation case in PA, generally referred to as a “Compromise & Release,” is a big decision. There are many factors which go into not only the value of the case, but whether settlement is even advisable. The advice of an attorney who is experienced with PA workers’…