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The Four Types of Disability Recognized by Workers

In Pennsylvania, injured workers are protected under the Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Act, which enables them to receive wage loss benefits as well as coverage of any medical costs. The amount of compensation provided for a disability relates directly to the employee’s loss of potential earnings. Here is a brief overview of the various types of disability accommodated by the law and how they relate to the amount of benefits received:

1.Temporary Total Disability: If a worker is rendered unable to earn income in any way, he or she is considered totally disabled. The amount of workers’ compensation awarded will be the equivalent of 66% of his or her average pay. A person ceases to be classified as temporarily totally disabled when a full recovery is made or the worker can be considered temporarily partially disabled.

2. Temporary Partial Disability: This classification covers workers who, while still injured, are able to return to work, either in their original job or a new one. Depending on the circumstances, partial disability may also be defined as having 50% or less impairment according to the American Medical Association’s Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment.

3. Permanent Total Disability: Under Pennsylvania law, a totally disabled worker may receive disability payments for two years before submitting to a medical assessment of the disability. Afterward, as long as the worker is classified as at least 50% disabled, total disability payments may continue.

4. Permanent Partial Disability: Employees who are able to return to work in a limited capacity while suffering a disability may be eligible for permanent partial disability benefits. If you are earning less money than you were before, either because you have been forced to reduce your hours or because your injury demands that you take a different position, your wage loss benefits will help to make up the difference between your current and former income.

If you are unsure which category your injury falls under or would like to know whether you are receiving the maximum benefits you are eligible for, call Krasno Krasno & Onwudinjo at (888) 774-9695. We work on a contingency basis, which means that we only receive payment if you receive compensation.

Disclaimer:

The materials available at this website are for informational purposes only and not for the purpose of providing legal advice. You should contact your attorney to obtain advice with respect to any particular issue or problem. Use and access to this website or any of the links contained within the site do not create an attorney-client relationship. The opinions expressed at or through this site are the opinions.

Are Workers' Compensation Benefits Taxable Income?

Workers’ compensation law can be difficult to navigate even without worrying about how taxes fit into the picture. Watch this video to learn whether you must pay tax on your wage loss benefits.

In Pennsylvania, workers’ compensation benefits are exempt from taxation. However, railroad retirement benefits and social security may be taxable, so speak with a financial advisor about your specific situation.

If you would like to know more about receiving workers’ compensation benefits, contact the Philadelphia law office of Krasno Krasno & Onwudinjo. Call (888) 774-9695 to schedule a free consultation to discuss how you can receive the wage loss benefits you deserve.

Different Injuries Manufacturing and Warehouse Workers Can Experience

Though every profession has its own risks, manufacturing and warehouse jobs have more than most. Considering the machinery, the people, and the fast-paced nature of the work, there’s a lot of potential for devastating injuries. Should you ever experience an injury at your manufacturing or warehouse job, it’s important that you report it as soon as possible for workers’ compensation purposes. Here are a few of the common injuries suffered by manufacturing and warehouse workers:

• Head injuries
  In a warehouse setting, items have been known to fall from great heights, potentially causing serious head trauma. Since the brain is the control center of the body, head injuries can have some serious effects—including problems with speech, changes in behavior, the inability to complete normal tasks, and others.
   
• Back injuries
  Most manufacturing and warehouse jobs involve lifting large items or repeated bending over. Without the proper training, any worker can sprain his or her back while attempting to lift a heavy object. Also, injury of the spinal cord could lead to paraplegia, quadriplegia, or other serious problems.
   
• Bone, muscle, or joint injuries
  Though warehouse and manufacture workers get used to repetitive movements, sudden, unpredictable accidents can certainly take their toll. For example, grabbing an item the wrong way might cause a nasty sprain or the sustained repetition of movement could cause a rotator cuff injury.
   
• Injuries caused by machinery
  Manufacturing and warehouse jobs seem even more dangerous when you think of all the possible things that can go wrong with machinery. For example, a driver can lose control of a forklift and run over a worker’s foot or another worker could get caught in a conveyor belt and break a limb.

If you’ve recently suffered one of the above injuries while on the job, contact the law office of Krasno, Krasno & Onwudinjo. Our Philadelphia workers’ comp attorneys are dedicated to helping injured workers get the benefits they need to recover quickly and completely. For help dealing with your employer and their insurance company, call us today at (888) 774-9695.

Disclaimer: The materials available at this website are for informational purposes only and not for the purpose of providing legal advice. You should contact your attorney to obtain advice with respect to any particular issue or problem. Use and access to this website or any of the links contained within the site do not create an attorney-client relationship. The opinions expressed at or through this site are the opinions of the individual author and may not reflect the opinions of the firm or any individual attorney.

Don't Know Where to Start with Your Workers' Compensation Claim? Visit These Valuable Resources

Thousands of individuals suffer from work-related injuries on a yearly basis. Check out these great articles from around the web for more information on common work-related injuries, how to properly report an incident, and workers’ compensation. Contact the Krasno Krasno & Onwudinjo workers’ compensation law firm at (888) 774-9695 for more information.

• Explore this article from the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics for more information on fatal occupational injuries in 2010.
   
• This article from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides a brief overview on construction accidents.
   
• Check out this OSHA form for tips on how to record a work-related injury.
   
• Visit this link from the New York Times to learn why so many work-related injuries go unreported.
   
• Learn how to report a work-related injury with this guide from the United States Department of Justice.

Retracing the History of Workers' Compensation

In this video, we take closer look at the history of workers’ compensation law. The Industrial Revolution, which began in Europe, reached the United States as Americas were recovering from the Civil War. The work industry fueled radical reconstruction—however, dangerous machinery, such as belts, pulleys, and gears, presented great danger to construction and industry workers. The prevalence of on-the-job injuries gave rise to the need for a system for fair and equal compensation. Watch this full clip to learn more about the progression of workers’ compensation laws.

Whether you’ve been hurt at work or you’re being denied social security, our workers’ compensation lawyers with the Krasno Krasno & Onwudinjo law firm are here to help. Contact us online or call (888) 774-9695 to set up an initial appointment.