Lost Wages

Injured man on couch

A worker is injured on the job. They can’t work and are struggling financially because of missed paychecks. They need to collect lost wages, but aren’t sure what they need to do.

If this sounds like you, Edgar Snyder & Associates can help. We know you may be angry and frustrated. You were injured and can’t work – how are you supposed to pay your bills? Our experienced attorneys have decades of experience dealing with the confusing workers’ compensation process.

We can protect your legal rights as an injured worker, make sure your employer’s insurance company doesn’t take advantage of you, and help you get Pennsylvania workers’ compensation payments for your lost wages.

When Can I Receive Payments for Lost Wages?

There’s an interesting twist to lost wages under Pennsylvania workers’ compensation law. Even though a doctor told you not to work, you must be off work and under a doctor’s care for at least 14 work days to be eligible to receive lost wages payments for the first 7 days you missed.

Remember, you can receive payments for medical expenses while your employer’s insurance company is still processing your claim for lost wages or other workers’ compensation benefits.

Types of Lost Wages Compensation

There are two types of compensation for lost wages, and the amount you can receive depends upon your level of disability, and the severity of your work injury.

Total Disability

Pennsylvania workers’ compensation law allows you to collect a portion of your gross weekly wages up to a maximum amount if you can’t work at all due to your injury or work-related disease. The amount you receive is based on the amount you make per week (on average). Here are the amounts for 2013:

The maximum rate for 2013 is $917 per week. If you earn over $1,375.51 per week, your compensation for lost wages will be capped at $917.
If you make between $687.76 and $1,375.50 per week — you will receive 66% (two-thirds) of your average weekly wage.
If you make between $509.44 and $687.75 per week — you will receive $458.50 per week.
If you make $509.43 per week or less — you will receive 90% of your average weekly wage.

The amounts for 2012 were as follows:

If you made between $643.51 and $1,287.00 per week — you received 66% (two-thirds) of your average weekly wage.
If you made between $476.67 and $643.50 per week — you received $429.00 per week.
If you made $476.66 per week or less — you received 90% of your average weekly wage.

Partial Disability

You may receive partial disability if you return to a light duty assignment that pays less than the job you did before you were injured. Under Pennsylvania workers’ compensation, you can receive two-thirds of the difference the two salaries, up to a maximum of 500 weeks, or 9.5 years.

More Information on Lost Wages Compensation

You will never receive a “cost of living” increase under Pennsylvania’s current workers’ compensation system. You will collect the same payment – with no increase – for as long as your payments continue.

Keep in mind – your Total Disability or Partial Disability payments may be reduced if you have other sources of income. Social Security disability benefits, a pension, severance pay, unemployment compensation, and other payments can affect the amount you receive for lost wages.

Don’t Go it Alone – Edgar Snyder & Associates Can Help

The Pennsylvania workers’ compensation system is very complicated, and your employer’s insurance company will not have your best interest in mind. They will want to pay you as little as they can, and they may give you lots of problems if you try to handle the workers’ compensation claim on your own.

At Edgar Snyder & Associates, we’ve helped over 7,000 injured workers get the compensation they deserved. You’ve got your health to worry about. Let us take care of the hassles and protect your rights – and make sure you’re treated fairly. We pay all of the costs upfront, so you don’t have to. And if we don’t get you workers’ compensation benefits, you won’t owe us anything. We guarantee it.

Injured on the Job? Get a Free Legal Evaluation Today

Call 1-866-9-4EDGAR (1-866-943-3427), or fill out the form at the top right of this webpage.

Our legal evaluation is absolutely free, with no obligation to use our services. Phones answer 24/7. Contact us now, and we’ll tell you how we can help protect your rights as an injured worker.