What Injuries Are Not Covered By Workers’ Comp?

It’s important for every worker to understand their right to workers’ compensation benefits! The Pennsylvania legislature created workers’ compensation to assist workers who suffer a work-related injury. If you have any questions about workers’ compensation benefits and any action that may affect the success of an application for benefits, contact Powell Law today to consult with an experienced Pennsylvania workers’ compensation attorney. We will help you understand your rights!

Workers’ compensation benefits are an extremely important resource available to an injured worker. Pennsylvania law applies to all injuries or occupational diseases that occur in Pennsylvania. The law does not require the injury be caused by an accident and provides benefits for workers who incur injuries that develop over time from cumulative trauma. Coverage under Pennsylvania law applies even if a worker has a pre-existing condition which is aggravated, accelerates or worsens over the course of employment.

Workers’ compensation provides benefits for all associated medical costs required to treat a work injury. It also provides wage loss benefits to injured workers while they are unable to work. Workers’ compensation benefits are available to workers who suffer a work-related injury regardless of fault. Nonetheless, there are certain circumstances where an employee would not be covered such as where:

• An employee is under the influence of illegal drugs or alcohol;
• An employee is violating company policy at the time of injury;
• An employee is committing a serious crime;
• The injury is intentionally self-inflicted;
• The injury is caused by a co-worker who commits an assault for personal reasons;
• The injury is caused by a third party who commits an assault for personal reasons; and
• Injuries caused by traveling to and from work, although there are exceptions to this rule.

At times, it may be unclear if an injury is work-related and therefore compensable under Pennsylvania law. Consulting with an experienced Pennsylvania workers’ compensation attorney may be necessary to clarify whether such injury is eligible for coverage. For 113 years, Powell Law has represented all types of workers in workers’ compensation cases. The attorneys and staff of Powell Law are experienced in helping injured workers cope with their injury and move forward. The Pennsylvania workers’ compensation system grants workers injured on the job with substantial rights. Powell Law protects workers who have suffered injuries in the workplace by helping them assert their rights to obtain workers’ compensation benefits. Our decades of experience make us the clear choice for representation in workers’ compensation cases in the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and surrounding areas. We effectively help our clients throughout the entire workers’ compensation claims process. Contact Powell Law at (570) 961-0777. The consultation is FREE!