Dealing With The Pennsylvania Bureau of Workers' Compensation

Philadelphia Lawyer Richard A. Jaffe - Here For You When You Need Him Most

If you sustain an injury at work in Pennsylvania, you may be eligible for workers' compensation. And if you want to receive those benefits, you will likely need to deal directly with the Pennsylvania Bureau of Workers' Compensation at some point.

Dealing with the state Workers' Compensation office can be challenging, especially if you've never applied for benefits before. There are many rules and deadlines that need to be followed in order to successfully apply for workers' compensation benefits. There are also many different, official forms that need to be filled out exactly right.

Fortunately, you don't have to deal with all of these issues on your own. We can help. Attorney Richard A. Jaffe has years of experience working with injury victims and dealing with the Pennsylvania Bureau of Worker's Compensation, particularly in the Philadelphia area. He understands how the system works and knows how to get results.

Common Workers' Compensation Forms

Depending on the nature of your injury and where you are in the claims process, you might need to fill out certain forms required by the Pennsylvania Bureau of Workers’ Compensation. Hundreds of forms can be found on the Workers’ Compensation Automation and Integration (WCAIS) part of the state’s website. We can help you correctly fill out all of these forms.

These official forms have a specific code called the LIBC number. Many of these forms can be filled out online or through the mail. Some of the most common forms injured workers need to complete in order to receive workers’ comp benefits include:

Authorization for Alternative Delivery of Compensation Payments (LIBC-10)
Agreement for Compensation for Disability or Permanent Injury (LIBC-336)
Third Party Settlement Agreement (LIBC-380)
Employee Report of Wages (LIBC-750)
Employee’s Report of Benefits for Offsets (LIBC-756)

Rules For Filling Out Forms

The state’s Workers’ Compensation office has very specific rules when it comes to filling out its official forms. If you fail to follow these rules, you could jeopardize the success of your application for workers’ compensation benefits. In most cases, submitted forms must be:

Filled out in black ink if submitting paper forms.
Printed on white paper.
Signed by applicant. Failure to sign forms voids them.

We can help you accurately complete every form and verify all the details before you submit your application. Attorney Jaffe knows how to fill out these forms and can guide you through the application process every step of the way.

Important Deadlines When Applying For Workers’ Compensation

If you have been injured at work, there are many deadlines you need to meet in order to successfully apply for workers’ compensation benefits in Pennsylvania. Some of the most important deadlines include:

Deadlines to report an injury

21 days – Deadline for injured worker to notify employer of workplace accident or illness and get benefits retroactive to the date of the accident. 21-day deadline starts the date of accident.
120 days – Final deadline for injured worker to notify employer of workplace injury or illness. 120-day deadline begins on the day of the accident, or when employee first became aware of workplace injury or illness.
48 hours – Deadline for employers to file First Report of Injury with the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation for fatal workplace accidents.
7 days – Deadline for employers to file First Report of Injury with the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation for workplace injuries that result in a disability lasting more than one week.

Deadlines for claims and appeals

3 years – Deadline to file a Claim Petition seeking benefits. The 3-year window starts on the date of the accident, or the day the worker became aware an ongoing injury or illness was work-related.
20 days – Deadline to appeal a workers’ compensation judge’s decision to the Workers’ Compensation Appeal Board. This deadline starts on the day the judge’s decision is circulated to the parties.
30 days – Deadline to appeal a Workers’ Compensation Appeal Board decision to the Commonwealth Court. This deadline starts on the day the Board’s decision is communicated to the parties.
30 days – Deadline to appeal a Commonwealth Court decision to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. This deadline starts on the day the Commonwealth Court’s decision is communicated to the parties.

Knowing which deadlines apply and exactly how long you have to apply for workers’ compensation benefits in Pennsylvania can be very confusing. That’s why we strongly urge you to contact our law firm as soon as possible. We can help you manage you claim and make sure you meet every important deadline. Contact our law firm and find out how Richard Jaffe can help you.