5 Things Your Employer Does Not Want You To Know When You've Been Hurt At Work

You only have 120 days to report your injury to your employer.

Many people get hurt at work and never say anything to their employer. We suggest that you give notice to your employer in writing if possible. The injury should be reported to your supervisor or the person whose job it is to prepare injury reports. Even if the injury does not cause you to miss time from work, you should still report it! Remember, you must report the injury within 120 days, otherwise you will be barred from collecting workers’ compensation benefits.

You can treat with your own doctors.

In PA, once you have reported your injury, you may have to treat with the doctor your employer assigns you to for the first 90 days if you signed a panel acknowledgement. However, after 90 days, you may begin to treat with any doctor. Getting yourself the best treatment is extremely important to both your own health and the your case. Remember, you can treat with any doctor even if you signed a panel acknowledgment, but you may pay out-of-pocket expenses.

A workers' compensation attorney can help you recover benefits even if your claim was denied.

Many workers will sustain an injury at work and file with their employer. However, when the employer returns a workers’ compensation denial to you, it does not mean it’s the end of the road for your benefits. At that point, consulting with an attorney who specializes in workers’ compensation is your best option.

If you are injured at work, but continue to work and are making less than you were prior to your injury, you are entitled to the difference.

If you're injured and return to work a light duty job that pays less than your salary at the time of injury, you are entitled to a partial disability payment to make up the difference in pay. Remember, even if you are working your full schedule, but are unable to perform overtime that you once were, in many cases, you will be owed the difference.

If you suffer a loss of vision, hearing or any serious disfigurement, including scars, you may be entitled to receive benefits.

Payment for specific loss benefits can occur where an injured worker has had an amputation or loss of use of various body parts, including fingers, hands, and toes. If you suffer a loss of hearing or vision, you are also entitled to be paid specific loss benefits. Any permanent or serious disfigurement of your head, neck, or face, entitles you to receive benefits.