Can Remote Workers Receive Workers’ Compensation?
Workers’ compensation is employer-provided insurance that provides wage replacement, coverage of medical expenses, and permanent disability to injured or ill employees. You are entitled to workers’ compensation benefits if you have been injured on the job or have experienced an occupational illness. However, there is some confusion on how workers’ compensation insurance applies to remote workers.
To receive benefits, remote workers must prove that they were acting within the scope of their employment at the time of the injury. At HGSK Injury Lawyers, our legal team has worked tirelessly to secure equal rights for all types of workers. If you have had workers’ comp benefits denied as a remote worker, your next call should be to our Pennsylvania workers’ compensation lawyers.
Overview of Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation
Wage Replacement
Pennsylvania workers’ compensation covers lost wages for workers who are injured in the course of their employment. Wage reimbursement is typically two-thirds of a worker’s average weekly wage, subject to a statutory maximum. Workers who are able to work a reduced schedule or lighter work duties will receive two-thirds of the difference between their pre-accident and post-accident wages.
Medical Expenses
Workers’ compensation covers all reasonable and necessary medical expenses related to a worker’s injury. Medical expenses coverage applies to doctor’s visits, surgeries, physical therapies, mobility aids, and medications. In Pennsylvania, you must see a provider approved by your employer for the first 90 days after your work injury.
Permanent Disability
If you suffer a permanent disability due to your work injury, the Commonwealth offers lifetime disability benefits. Disability benefits will depend on your age, the severity of your injury, and your income at the time of the injury.
Receiving Workers’ Compensation as a Remote Worker in PA
Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Law stipulates that remote workers are entitled to receive the same benefits as on-site employees. However, you must have been performing your job duties when the injury occurred. Simply being on the clock but doing personal tasks at the time of the injury will result in your workers’ compensation claim being denied.
To prove that your injury is work-related, you should:
- Report your injury to your employer immediately. Be sure to detail the circumstances surrounding it.
- Seek medical attention. Request that your treating physician provide a report linking your injury to your work duties.
- Gather information related to the injury. If your work injury is due to repetitive motion, you will want to describe what you were doing when you first noticed symptoms. Be as specific as possible, including the date and time that symptoms first appeared and any other occurrences. If your work injury is due to an isolated event, take photographs of your injuries as well as your workspace.
Advocacy for Remote Workers
If you are a remote worker who has been unjustly denied benefits, our Pennsylvania workers’ compensation attorneys are here to assist you. We understand the agony of dealing with physical pain while not being able to afford your medical expenses. Unfortunately, as a remote worker, it is more challenging to receive workers’ comp benefits.
Even so, our Pennsylvania workers’ compensation attorneys are prepared to appeal the decision to the Workers’ Compensation Bureau. If your appeal is denied, there are various avenues that we can pursue. At HGSK Injury Lawyers, our legal team will not give up until you receive fair compensation for your injuries.
Speak with Our Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Attorneys
For decades, our Pennsylvania workers’ compensation lawyers have relentlessly helped thousands of workers recoup the benefits they deserve. If you are a remote worker who has recently experienced an injury, HGSK Injury Lawyers would like to assist you. Let us help you through this difficult time. To learn more, our office can be reached online or by phone at (267) 551-8782.