Free Information on Harrisburg, Pennsylvania Workers' Compensation & Work-Related Injuries or Accidents

Worker's Compensation:

• York Workers’ Comp Lawyer Discusses What Happens When You Don’t Report Your Injury
  

  There is a right way and a wrong way to report your workplace injury. Read this article to learn more and contact an experienced Harrisburg workers’ compensation attorney for advice. Be sure to order a FREE copy of our book, 7 Deadly Sins That Can Destroy Your Pennsylvania Workers’ Comp Case.

• OSHA Asst. Secretary Warns Plant Operators About Hazards
  

  After the deadly gas explosion at a power plant, OSHA issues a warning letter to employers. Read this article to find out what the letter said. If you have been hurt in a Pennsylvania work accident, contact an experienced Marcellus shale workers’ compensation lawyer at Calhoon & Associates.

• What Does an IRE Request Mean?
  

  Under the Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Act, once an injured worker receives total disability benefits for 104 weeks, the insurer can request an Independent Rating Evaluation, or IRE.  When they do, … [Read more]

• What is an “Independent Medical Evaluation”?
  

  There are certain things you should and should not do during this examination.

• Are My Chiropractic expenses covered by PA Workers’ Comp?
  

  Pennsylvania Workers compensation insurance covers chiropractic care for work-related injuries. Various studies completed worldwide have repeatedly found that chiropractic care gets people back to work much sooner and at a far lower costs than other types of medical care. Comprehensive chiropractic care leads to fewer chronic cases allowing the patient to get back to his/her pre-injury status.

• If You Have A Permanent Scar From Neck Surgery As The Result Of A Work Injury You Are Entitled To Worker’s Compensation Disfigurement Benefits
  

  Under the Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Act, you are entitled to workers’ compensation disfigurement benefits if you have had a work injury resulting in a permanent scar, burn, or disfigurement to … [Read more]

• Your Right To Reinstatement Of Worker’s Compensation Benefits Upon Layoff
  

  Most injured workers do not realize that they have a right to have their workers compensation benefits reinstated merely becase they were laid off work from their job by their … [Read more]

• Receiving Worker’s Compensation Wage Loss Benefits Under An Automobile Insurance Policy When An Employee Is Injured While Using Or Maintaining A Motor Vehicle During The Course Of Their Employment
  

  If you are injured in an motor vehicle accident or involved in an accident which involves the “use or maintenance” of a motor vehicle while working for your employer and … [Read more]

• Payment of Medical Bills Under The 1996 Act
  

  Prior to the recent amendments to the Workers’ Compensation Act, a doctor, hospital, or other medical provider who provided treatment to an employee who suffered a work-related injury, was free … [Read more]

• Exclusions, Offsets and Limitations For Work Injuries Sustained On Or After August 31, 1993
  
  • 1. EXCLUSIONS

   

  A.        INCARCERATED CLAIMANTS

   

  1.         Section 306(a) was amended to include a section

  excluding compensation for incarcerated claimants as

  follows:

   

  Nothing in this act shall require … [Read more]

• Medical Billing Regulations
  

  Section 127.201(a) and (b) of Act 44 states that requests for payment must be on an HCFA Form 1500 or LIBC9 form and that the bill must include service codes.  … [Read more]

• Job Availability For Injuries Suffered On Or Before June 23, 1996
  

  If you are unable to return to your pre-injury occupation due to your work injury, but are physically capable of performing other light or sedentary work, your employer has the … [Read more]

• Impairment Rating Evaluation (IRE)
  

  With regard to injuries occurring on or after June 24, 1996, Section 306(a.2)(1) of the Workers’ Compensation Act enables a workers’ compensation insurance carrier to request an Impairment Rating Evaluation … [Read more]

• Instructions For Handling Medical Bills & Prescription Expenses (Non-Accepted Claims)
  

  1.         Maintain an Itemization of Claimant’s Medical Expenses form to keep a record of all medical expenses including medical bills and prescription receipts which you pay … [Read more]

• Instructions For Handling Medical Bills & Prescription Expenses (Accepted Claims)
  

  1.         Have the doctor fill out a Medical Report Form

  2.         Have the doctor submit the completed Medical Report Form along with his bills to the workers’ compensation insurance carrier.… [Read more]

• How Pension Benefits Can Affect Your Workers Compensation Benefits and Settlement Of Your Case
  

  If an injured worker involuntarily retires due to a work injury, and he or she has participated in his time of injury employer’s pension program and receives pension payments, in some … [Read more]

• How Long Will My Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Wage Loss Benefits Last?
  

  Regardless of your date of injury, reasonable and necessary medical expenses related to the work-injury are the responsibility of the worker’s compensation carrier for life.  If your injury occurred on … [Read more]

• Fraud in Pennsylvania Workers Compensation
  

  The amendments to the Workers’ Compensation Act include specific provisions to combat insurance fraud.  Prior to the new amendments, the Act did not address the issue of fraud.  Previously, fraud … [Read more]

• Calculate Partial Disability Benefits Owed
  

  How to calculate Partial Disability Benefits owed for a Pennsylvania Work Injury:

  Average Weekly Wage at time of injury (taken from Notice of Compensation Payable) or Judge’s award)  minus gross pay … [Read more]

• A Medical Provider’s Failure To Timely Produce Records Bars Payment Of Treatment Bills And Access To Treatment
  

  On June 6, 2005, the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania issued a Decision in County of Allegheny v. W.C.A.B. (Geisler) that could have an impact on your Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation case.… [Read more]

• What Constitutes a Central Pennsylvania Workers’ Comp. Injury?
  

  After sustaining a work-related injury, Pennsylvania workers often hesitate to file workers’ comp. claims because they are unsure if they are entitled to do so, often because no one … [Read more]

• Help for Central Pennsylvania Workers With Permanent Scars or Disfigurement
  

  Coping with a work-related injury in Pennsylvania only becomes harder when there are permanent scars involved, as you are forced to deal with an entirely different level of stress and … [Read more]

• Tips on How to Get the Most of Physical Therapy
  

  If you have sustained a work-related injury, physical therapy may be used to treat your injury. Physical therapy is a specialized field of medicine used to treat many different ailments, … [Read more]

• Can The Insurance Company Just Stop My Workers’ Compensation Benefits?
  

  Under the Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Act, your employer (or their insurance company) may not stop or change the amount of your benefits unless:

  - you have signed an agreement allowing  … [Read more]

• Overview of a Torn ACL
  

  The anterior cruciate ligament, also referred to as ACL, is one of the ligaments in the knee. It connects the upper and lower leg bones. When the ACL tears, it … [Read more]

• Overview of Workers’ Compensation
  

  A worker who sustains an injury while performing a duty within the scope of his or her job may be entitled to benefits under the Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Act. Prior … [Read more]

• Overview of a Herniated Disc
  

  When the discs in a person’s spine work properly, they protect the spine from injury. A disc is a small oval pad that acts as a cushion to the spine. … [Read more]

• Am I Eligible for Workers’ Compensation Benefits?
  

  If you have sustained an injury in a work-related accident in Pennsylvania, you may be unsure whether you are entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. Under the Workers’ Compensation Act, a … [Read more]

• Do I Need an Attorney in Order to File a Workers’ Compensation Claim?
  

  Pennsylvania law does not require an injured or ill worker to hire a workers’ compensation lawyer in order to file a claim. A worker can file a claim without the … [Read more]

• What to Do When Your Workers’ Compensation Claim is Denied
  

  When a worker in Pennsylvania sustains a work-related injury, that worker may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. Although a worker may be entitled to benefits, the employer or … [Read more]

Social Security:

• Can I Receive Workers’ Compensation Benefits and Social Security Disability Benefits At The Same Time? How do I carefully maximize both?
  

  Yes. If you have had a significant work injury, which, by itself or in combination with another non-work related disability, causes a physical or mental impairment that will likely … [Read more]

• Types of Social Security Benefits Available to Disabled Individuals
  

  There are several types of Social Security Benefits available to individuals deemed “disabled” under the Social Security Act.  The most common are as follows:

  Social Security Disability Benefits (RSDI or … [Read more]

• Who Can Receive Social Security Disability Benefits and Supplemental Income Benefits
  

  To qualify for Social Security Disability Benefits (RSDI), you must be under retirement age and be found disabled.  You must also have earned the minimum number of credits, or quarters, … [Read more]

• Who is Disabled Under the Social Security Act
  

  The Social Security Act defines a disabled individual as a person unable to “engage in any substantial gainful activity” due to a physical or mental impairment that has lasted or … [Read more]

• How to Apply for Social Security Benefits
  

  There are two ways you can begin the application process for Social Security Benefits.  You can apply by going to the Social Security website at www.ssa.gov and completing an application … [Read more]

• What the Social Security Application Requires
  

  The application requires you to provide personal information regarding your address, age, marital status, and children, and requests various documents and background information about your work history and your medical … [Read more]

• What Happens After A Social Security Application Is Filed
  

  After receiving your application, your claim is sent to a disability examiner at the Disability Determination agency in your state.  Social Security will write to your medical providers and obtain … [Read more]

• How Long It Takes To Receive A Social Security Determination
  

  Once you have applied for Social Security disability benefits, in most cases, Social Security will make their determination within four months.  If you have been denied and ask for a … [Read more]

• How to File a Social Security Appeal If Benefits are Denied
  

  Generally, you have 60 days from the date of the letter informing you of Social Security’s decision.  Social Security will assume that you received the letter 5 days from the … [Read more]

• What Happens at a Social Security Hearing?
  

  Hearings before Administrative Law Judge’s (“ALJ’s”) are informal and the only people present are the claimant, his or her attorney if they are represented, the Judge, a court reporter who … [Read more]

• Do I Need An Attorney For My Social Security Disability Claim?
  

  No, you do not, but statistically, claimants who are represented by attorneys win a good deal more often than those who are not represented.  Often times, attorneys will have claimants … [Read more]

• If My Social Security Disability Benefits Are Granted, How Much Will I Receive?
  

  If you are awarded benefits, the amount of your monthly benefits will depend on the number of years you have worked.  You will receive the same monthly benefit that you … [Read more]

• How Long Can I Receive Social Security Disability Benefits?
  

  Once you have been awarded benefits, you will continue to receive these benefits unless your medical condition has improved and you are capable of substantial gainful employment.  When you are … [Read more]

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  Patient Name:  _____________________ Date of Birth:  _______________       SSN:  ________________

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  I authorize the disclosure of all protected medical information for the purpose of … [Read more]

• Overview of a Rotator Cuff Tear
  

  The rotator cuff comprises a number of muscles and tendons in the shoulder. The muscles and tendons connect the shoulder, which is composed of the upper arm bone, the collarbone, … [Read more]