Experienced, Compassionate Workers' Compensation Representation
Any serious injury or illness that prevents you from working for a significant amount of time can spell financial disaster for you and your family.
At Wolf, Baldwin & Associates, P.C., we appreciate what this can mean for you and we will fight to help you pursue or keep the wage loss benefits you need in order to get through this difficult time. We also do our best to ease the stress and anxiety you might be feeling right now by clearly explaining your rights, the legal issues and how the system works — and staying available and accessible to you throughout the case.
Wage Loss Benefits: How Much and for How Long?
The first thing to know is that you are not eligible for wage loss benefits unless an injury or medical condition keeps you from working for at least seven days.
After the initial seven-day waiting period, your wage loss benefit would be approximately two-thirds of your previous average weekly wage — regardless of whether you are completely unable to work (totally disabled) or can do some type of lower paying job (partially disabled). That said, there are certain circumstances that can change the basic calculation and amount of your benefit. The correct calculation of your pre-injury average weekly wage ("AWW") is crucial to you receiving the correct wage loss benefits to which you are entitled.
In Pennsylvania, there is no limit as to how long you can receive total disability workers' compensation benefits. Partial disability wage loss benefits (which you would receive if you are able to work but not able to earn your pre-injury wages) are limited to 500 weeks. If you are totally disabled and receive benefits for 104 weeks (two years), your employer's workers' compensation insurance carrier will often try change your disability status from total to partial by asking you to attend an impairment rating exam.
After the initial claim is accepted and benefits are being paid, future litigation primarily involves attempts by the insurance carrier to change, limit or stop the payment of wage loss benefits. The insurance company will try different ways to modify or suspend your benefits. Our lawyers have experience countering these strategies.
Related Articles for Further Information
- "Work Comp Wage Loss Claims in PA"
- "Calculation of Workers' Compensation Benefits"
- "Workers' Compensation Specific Loss Benefits"
- "Receiving Workers' Compensation and Collateral Benefits"
Workers' Compensation Help Is Here
Offices in Pottstown, West Chester and Reading, Pennsylvania
Local: 610-228-4582 | Toll-Free: 866-967-8935
Insurance companies will always be represented by experienced workers' compensation attorneys — you should be too. Talk to an experienced lawyer about your workers' comp claim and wage loss benefits today — call our offices directly or contact our lawyers online for a free consultation.
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