Getting hurt on the job in Pennsylvania puts injured workers on a clock, whether they realize it or not. Medical bills, time off work, and money worries are often the most important things, but deadlines start to creep up in the background. Even if the injury is real, missing one can put benefits at risk.
Workers in Pennsylvania have up to 120 days to tell their boss about an injury that happened at work, but that’s not the whole story. More time-sensitive steps need to be taken, such as insurer investigations, a 90-day response period, and a three-year deadline to file a claim if benefits are denied. These rules can be hard to understand, which is why injured workers often hire a Pittsburgh workers’ comp lawyer early on to help them keep their medical coverage, wage benefits, and long-term compensation.
Key Deadlines in Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Claims
The 120-Day Injury Notice Requirement
In Pennsylvania, workers usually have 120 days to notify their employer of a job-related injury. You can write or say this notice, but it must be clear that the injury happened at work. If you wait too long, employers and insurers may have a chance to argue that the injury isn’t really work-related.
The deadline is 120 days, but reporting sooner almost always helps. If a worker reports an injury within 21 days, they may be able to receive wage-loss benefits that go back to the date of the injury rather than the date of the report. That difference can make a big difference in terms of money, especially if you have to take time off work.
You are also more trustworthy if you give early notice. Back pain and repetitive stress injuries are two examples of symptoms that can get worse over time. Reporting them right away helps make a clear timeline. If notice is given after 120 days, the claim may be completely denied unless the employer already knew about the injury, which can be hard to prove.
The 90-Day Insurance Response Process
People often get confused by the “90-day rule” because it doesn’t refer to the worker’s deadline; it refers to the insurer’s. The employer’s workers’ compensation insurance company has time to look into the claim and decide what to do after an injury is reported. During this time, the insurance company may send out a Notice of Compensation Payable or a Notice of Temporary Compensation Payable.
A temporary notice lets the insurance company continue investigating the claim while still paying benefits. If the insurance company doesn’t take back that temporary notice within 90 days, it will become a final approval of the claim. This change is important because it guarantees ongoing benefits without the worker having to go to court to prove the claim.
Your benefits may stop if the insurance company cancels the temporary notice within the 90 days. After compensation, the injured worker may need to file a formal Claim Petition to continue. Workers who understand this process can better prepare for what might happen and act before benefits run out without warning.
Beyond 120 Days — Filing Limits and Other Requirements
Three-Year Claim Filing Deadline
Injured workers still have to meet a separate and strict deadline, even if they tell their boss. If benefits are denied, discontinued, or never paid, Pennsylvania law requires that a Claim Petition be filed within 3 years of the injury. If you miss this deadline, your claim is usually permanently denied.
This three-year statute of limitations applies no matter how helpful the employer seemed at first. This also applies when benefits were paid for a short time and then stopped. Many workers think their rights are protected forever by their first payments, but this is not true.
There might be exceptions for injuries or illnesses that get worse over time because of work. In these cases, the three-year clock usually starts when the worker knew or should have known that the problem was work-related. Even then, acting quickly helps keep evidence safe and stops fights about when things happened.
Practical Steps to Protect Your Rights
The first step in protecting workers’ compensation rights is to keep records. Workers who are hurt should get medical help right away and make sure that the doctors note that the injury happened at work. Medical records are often the most important part of a claim later on.
It’s also important to keep copies of injury reports, emails, and any written notice you give to your boss. Instead of assuming the employer has taken care of the injury, workers should ensure the employer has actually reported it to its insurance company. Not following up can cause filings to be late or missed.
It’s just as important to pay attention to how insurance companies react. Employees should find out if they will still get benefits during a temporary notice and when the 90-day investigation period ends. You have three years to file a Claim Petition if your benefits are denied or stopped. A Pittsburgh workers’ comp lawyer can help make sure that all deadlines are met and that procedural errors don’t ruin a valid claim at every step.
Conclusion
In Pennsylvania, if you get hurt at work, you have to meet the deadlines for workers’ compensation to get medical care and wage benefits. The 120-day injury notice requirement, the 90-day response time for the insurer, and the three-year deadline for filing a claim all have an effect on whether benefits are paid. Quick reporting, good record keeping, and knowing what the insurance company is up to all help protect the rights of workers who have been hurt.
Pittsburgh Injury Lawyers, P.C., can help hurt workers meet these deadlines, keep track of their paperwork, and get benefits when their claims are denied or delayed. Sometimes, the difference between a protected claim and one that never gets a fair chance is acting quickly and seeking help early.