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Pennsylvania Bureau of Workers’ Compensation
Pennsylvania Bureau of Workers' Compensation Rules and Regulations:
The State of Pennsylvania has an agency that administers the workers’ compensation plan called The Department of Labor and Industry (L&I), which is through the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation. The benefits are adjusted annually taking effect on January 1 of every year.
The coverage is compulsory without any waivers. Employers can have coverage through groups of employers, self-insurance, and private carriers. There are not any exemptions for employers with small amounts of employees.
Employers with employees receiving wages of $1,200 or more or employed for 30 days or more are required to provide coverage. Employers can voluntarily provide coverage for domestic workers. The medical benefits are provided without time or monetary limitations.
The benefits for Temporary Total Disability are calculated on 66 2/3% of the worker’s wages for wages between $605.26 and $1,210.50. The rate for wages between $448.33 and $605.25 is $403.50. For wages less than $448.32, the rate is 90%. The maximum payment is $807 with maximum duration of 90 days.
The benefits for Permanent Total Disability are calculated the same as Temporary Total Disability with the duration of life for the payments. The benefits for Permanent Partial Disability are calculated at 66 2/3% on the worker’s wages without a minimum weekly payout and maximum of $807. Non-scheduled injuries have a maximum duration of payments of 500 weeks with maximum payout totaling $403,500.
The negative effects on the employer from any Pennsylvania Worker’s Compensation claim includes increased annual premiums and added expenses of replacing the injured employee, which includes the costs of training a new employee and possibly adverting for the employee.
The fact an employee can be hurt while performing work related tasks is a risk for any employer. The risk can be negligence of the employer or the employee, yet the employer is liable for all accidents and injuries involving the employee regardless of who is at fault. The accidents or injuries will increase the annual workers’ compensation premiums creating new difficulties for many businesses to forecast potential improvements for the business or formulate a budget for the next year.
To help resolve issues of employee work related accidents involving Pennsylvania Worker’s Compensation claims, employers need to take preventive actions. One such action used for prevention is providing safety equipment to all employees for the various job duties that could cause personal harm at work. The equipment includes protective eye-wear, back braces, and gloves.
Place all hazardous materials and chemicals in safe zones that are marked with hazardous plaques. Require employees to wear steel-toed shoes or boots for protection of the feet.
Have Safety Policies and Procedures to educate all employees on the company’s safety requirements and policies. The education will help reduce the work related injuries and accidents leading increased Pennsylvania Bureau of Worker’s Compensation claims and premiums.
One thing employers frequently forget is that the insurance company and bureau of workers' compensation frequently make mistakes when it comes to calculating your premiums. Believe it or not it happens more often then you may think.
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