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In the state of Pennsylvania, when you have suffered an injury or illness at work you are generally entitled to workers’ compensation. This benefit provides reimbursement for medical expenses, as well as a portion of the salary that you lose as a result of having to spend time out of work for recuperation and recovery. In some instances, the Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Act has established very specific compensation amounts based on suffering particular losses. Among these pre-established specific losses, awards are those that have been set aside for the loss of a body part. If you have been injured and work and it has resulted in the loss of a limb, workers’ compensation will not be able to fully reimburse you for your disability: but the state has recognized the change that this type of injury represents, and as a result, it has offered these values so that people will not need to argue or fight the insurance companies. The Lancaster law firm of Vanasse Law has successfully represented many workers who have suffered this type of injury, ensuring that they get the benefits to which they are entitled.
If you have suffered the loss of a limb or body part, workers’ compensation provides for both a healing period and an additional number of weeks that they will pay benefits. For that time period, you will receive a weekly check that represents a percentage of what your average weekly wage was at the time of the injury. The time periods are shown here:
Body Part Lost Healing Period (weeks) Benefits Paid (weeks)
Hand 20 335
Forearm 20 370
Arm 20 410
Foot 25 250
Lower Leg 25 350
Leg 25 410
Thumb 10 100
First Finger 6 50
Second Finger 6 40
Third Finger 6 30
Fourth Finger 6 28
Big Toe 12 40
Other Toes 6 16
There are both advantages and disadvantages to these pre-established benefits having been created by the state. If you have suffered one of these losses and feel that you have recovered enough to return to your work responsibilities in a time period shorter than the period that the state provides, you are still able to receive the loss of body part benefit, even if you have returned to work. However, by contrast, if you have been severely harmed and do not feel ready to return to work after the compensation period ends, your employer is able to cite the maximum time period and stop making payments.
Losing a limb can be both physically damaging and emotionally traumatic, and if it has happened to you then you are entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. You also may be able to pursue other responsible parties beyond your employer. The attorneys at Vanasse Law are experienced, compassionate workers’ compensation lawyers who are able to help you explore all of your options. Contact us today to learn more.