Pennsylvania Workmen's Compensation Act - Amendments
The Pennsylvania Workmen's Compensation Act was originally adopted in 1915. The Act has since been amended throughout the years to better meet the needs of industry and employees. Some of the amendments (from past to most recent) have included:
1972
1. How the employee gets paid was improved as in providing a more prompt compensation payment.
1993
1. Rules were levied on insurance companies as the deductible and premium increases.
2. To keep costs down, five or more similar businesses could form an insurance pool. Businesses were required to meet certain criteria prior to being accepted into the pool.
3. Businesses were required to develop safety programs.
1995
1. Hearing loss standards developed and compensation benefits determined.
1996
1. Initiate partial disability payments for a limited time period.
2. Increase employer-recommended medical treatment from one month to three months.
3. Allow collective bargaining and arbitration.
4. Make it a criminal defense if the employee knowingly defrauds the employer in regard to workers compensation and injuries.
5. Extend compensation payments.
6. Plus numerous paperwork petitions, affidavits, requirements, and payments that mostly favor the employer and its insurer.
2001 & 2003
1. Hold rehabilitation counselors and expert witnesses to a code of professional ethics.
2. Occupational diseases now include hepatitis C for healthcare workers and paramedics.
Workers compensation laws are complex. Your employer wants you to trust in what he says and not rock the boat. Bulldog Lawyer says it's his job to rock the boat and get you all the benefits that you deserve. Contact Bulldog for your free consultation and find out how a workers comp lawyer can help you get what you deserve.
