Workers Compensation

Here are some common questions I get on phone calls with prospective injured workers. Q: Can I sue my employer for negligence other than just workers compensation? A: No. It is extremely uncommon to be able to sue your employer outside the Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Act (Act) for an injury that occurred at work. Workers’ Compensation is the exclusive remedy. I know that is tough to hear, especially when your employer may have been at fault for the injury. The…

Mooney Law won a 50% penalty case for a unilateral cessation of payment of wage loss benefits to a Chambersburg client. The Workers’ Compensation Judge’s (WCJ) decision was appealed to the Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Appeal Board (WCAB). The WCAB affirmed the decision today. In this case, we represented a Chambersburg injured worker who suffered a burn and subsequent nerve injury in his arm while performing welding activities at work. The claim was denied by the employer. We filed a Claim…

Pennsylvania workers compensation is known for its 'lingo'.  The various lingo terms are used on a daily basis.  When it comes to settling your Pennsylvania workers' comp case, your attorney should advise you that it is a 'full and final' or a 'global' resolution of your claim.  You will also likely hear these terms at the hearing to approve the Compromise and Release agreement.  So what do they mean? The two terms are the same.  What does a 'full and…

When meeting with your Workers Comp attorney for the first time after you are injured at work, what do you need and what should you expect? First and foremost, at Mooney Law, your consultation for a work injury is always FREE. But, what else? Meeting with the attorney Pre-Covid 19, most consultations with a Mooney Law attorney were in person at one of our 15 office locations in Central Pennsylvania and Northern Maryland. Since then, most clients choose to have…

Settling a Pennsylvania workers’ compensation claim is pretty common practice. The primary question my clients have after agreeing to a settlement is how long it takes to get the settlement check. Understandably so. So, how long does it take? The Workers’ Comp Settlement Process Let’s walk through the settlement process. Most cases typically settle through the mediation process. You can read more about that here. However, some cases settle just through ongoing discussions between your attorney and the attorney for…

The Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry has released the 2023 average weekly wage rates. The Department set the maximum disability rate of $1,273.00, an increase of $68.00 per week over the 2022 maximum rate.  That maximum rate means no matter how high your average weekly wage is, the maximum rate an injured worker can receive weekly $1273.00 per week.  If your AWW is between $707.22 and $954.75, then the weekly compensation rate is set at $636.50. That is an…