As we previously mentioned on our Blog, Senate Bill 1232 was created to require insurance carriers to offer direct deposit of PA workers’ compensation benefits to injured workers across the State of Pennsylvania. Hopefully, this will allay the difficulties that many injured workers have with receiving their workers’ comp checks by regular mail. Governor
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PA Injured Worker Unable to Add Medical Condition Related to Accepted Work Injury
As we have discussed in this blog previously, changes to an accepted work injury in PA come in two types – “corrective” and “consequential.” The difference between these two situations can make or break a case, as recently illustrated by the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania in their decision in the Grow v. PECO Energy Company…
PA Bureau of Workers’ Compensation Names New Director of Adjudication
After months of rumor, the Pennsylvania Bureau of Workers’ Compensation has made it official – there is a new Director of Adjudication. The Honorable Holly San Angelo will take over the position. Formerly acting as a Workers’ Compensation Judge (WCJ) in the Philadelphia Workers’ Compensation Hearing Office, and then a stint as Southeastern District Judge…
PA Bureau of Workers’ Compensation Announces Maximum Rate for 2025
Today, we received notice from the Pennsylvania Bureau of Workers’ Compensation stating that the maximum workers’ compensation rate for injuries suffered in 2025 will be $1,347.00. This number is based upon the Statewide Average Weekly Wage (SAWW). This figure is an increase from the SAWW of $1,325.00, which represented the maximum workers’ compensation rate for…
DHS Lien Not Automatically Reimbursable Under PA Workers’ Comp
While perhaps not of interest to every injured worker, the subject of PA Department of Human Services’ (DHS) liens is one that appears from time to time in Pennsylvania workers’ compensation cases. And, while the injured workers may not have a huge interest, the PA workers’ compensation insurance companies surely feel otherwise. The topic can…
PA Workers’ Compensation Available to First Responders Suffering Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Pennsylvania workers’ comp unfairly treats mental or psychological injuries differently than physical ones. Our system is a “no-fault” structure. What does that mean? Put simply, if an employee is doing his or her job, and suffers a disabling physical injury, he or she is generally entitled to PA workers’ compensation benefits.
It usually does not…
PA Workers Compensation Judge Must Consider All Conditions “Due To” A Work Injury In IRE
One of the bigger “victories” by the PA workers’ compensation insurance industry against the injured workers in Pennsylvania is the Impairment Rating Evaluation (IRE) process. Under this process, after an injured worker has received 104 weeks of temporary total disability benefits, the insurance company can initiate an IRE, which can limit the period of time…
Direct Deposit for PA Workers’ Compensation Benefits Moves a Step Closer
As attorneys who represent injured workers across the great State of Pennsylvania, we are all too aware that our clients who rely on the US Postal Service for the delivery of their workers’ compensation checks can occasionally find their checks lost or delayed in transit. Since mortgage companies, landlords, car financers, grocery stores and other…
Torn Meniscus Is Significant Injury in PA Workers’ Comp
Knee injuries are common in Pennsylvania workers’ compensation. Over the years, we have had many clients with a torn meniscus in his or her knee. This is generally regarded as a minor injury by the insurance industry, a perception we have never understood.
Recently, Minnesota Vikings Quarterback J.J. McCarthy injured his knee. Further testing…
No Credit For Pension Benefits Against PA Workers’ Compensation Benefits Post-Retirement
The Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Act (“Act”) has several “offsets,” which provide a workers’ comp insurer with a credit for other types of benefits received by an injured worker, such as unemployment compensation, Social Security Retirement (“SSR”), severance and pension benefits. These offsets were created to avoid a perceived “double dipping” by an injured worker, getting…