Pennsylvania workers' compensation insurance: Your ultimate resource
Everything to know about workers’ compensation for
Pennsylvania
businesses
What does workers’ compensation cover?
A standard workers’ comp policy covers four primary areas: medical expenses, lost wages, employer liability and ongoing rehabilitation. EverPeak policies ensure your crew gets the care they need to return to work safely while protecting your business from the costs of workplace accidents.
Medical care
Coverage for the necessary treatment resulting from a work-related injury or illness.
Lost wages
Partial pay for employees unable to work while recovering from an injury.
Legal protection
Financial support for your business if an employee files a lawsuit related to an accident.
Ongoing care
Rehabilitation and training to support employees re-enter the workforce, and ongoing benefits for permanent injuries.
Death benefits
Financial support for the families.
What are
Pennsylvania
's workers' comp laws?
Pennsylvania is revered as the birthplace of American democracy with iconic landmarks such as Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell. From the cobblestone streets of Philadelphia to the rolling hills of the Pocono Mountains and the lush farmlands of Lancaster County, the Keystone State offers a diverse landscape reflective of its character.
With industries like manufacturing, agriculture and mining, Pennsylvania is rich in business growth and innovation. When it comes to safeguarding your business and employees, finding the right workers’ compensation insurance is crucial.
What is workers' compensation?
Workers’ compensation is a state-mandated insurance program for employers with one or more employees. It’s designed to provide medical and financial protection for employees who suffer work-related injuries or illnesses.
Part and full-time workers, including family members, are considered employees under Pennsylvania workers’ compensation law.
Without workers’ compensation, the cost of an injured employee’s medical treatment could become the responsibility of your business.
Pennsylvania workers' compensation laws
The Bureau of Workers’ Compensation within the Department of Labor and Industry administers the Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Act. The law requires employers with one or more employees to be covered by an active workers’ compensation insurance policy.
Workers’ comp coverage can be obtained through a partner like EverPeak Insurance. The Bureau of Workers’ Compensation can approve self-insured requests based on financial requirements.
Employees can use Pennsylvania’s workers’ compensation verification tool to see if their employer has coverage.
Who is covered and exempt from
Pennsylvania
workers' comp?
Who is covered?
Policies include protection for full and part-time employees.
Some exemptions from workers’ comp in Pennsylvania include:
- Railroad workers
- Longshoremen
- Federal employees
- Domestic servants
- Agricultural workers who work fewer than 30 days or earn less than $1,200 in a calendar year
Covered injuries and illnesses
Workers' compensation covers a range of work-related injuries and illnesses, including physical injuries resulting from an accident and occupational diseases developed over time due to job conditions.
Benefits provided
Pennsylvania workers’ comp insurance provides four types of benefits for work injuries:
- Medical benefits
- Lost wages
- Specific loss benefits
- Death benefits
- Medical treatment for work-related accidents, injuries and/or illnesses
- Total disability benefits
- Partial disability benefits
- Awards for permanent loss or disfigurement
- Benefits to surviving dependants
Pennsylvania workers’ compensation rates
The weekly wage loss benefit is two-thirds of the employee’s average weekly wage, not to exceed or fall below a maximum and minimum amount set by the Department of Labor and Industry.
Find more information on Pennsylvania’s benefit rates.
How much does workers’ comp cost in
Pennsylvania
?
How do you file a workers’ compensation claim in
Pennsylvania
?
Filing a workers' compensation claim
In the event of a work-related injury or illness:
Step 1: Employee reports injury to employer
Employees in Pennsylvania should report their injury to their employer immediately but no later than 21 days from the accident.
Step 2: Seek medical care
The employee should immediately seek medical attention.
Step 3: Employer reports injury
Once notified of the injury, employers should file a report within 48 hours for injuries resulting in death and seven days for injuries resulting in one missed day or shift from work.
Step 4: Receive benefits
If an employer’s insurance provider accepts the claim, the worker should begin receiving benefits to cover medical expenses and lost wages.
Step 5: Return to work safely or receive total disability benefits
Following their recovery, a worker is expected to resume work safely. If a work injury has left an injured employee unable to do any type of work, the employee might be entitled to permanent disability benefits..
Choosing a healthcare provider
In Pennsylvania, injured workers can choose their healthcare provider unless their employer has provided a list of six or more physicians or healthcare providers. If the employer has provided a list, the injured worker must visit a provider on the list for initial treatment for 90 days following the first visit.
After 90 days, the injured worker may seek treatment with any physician or healthcare provider, and they must notify their employer of who they select.
Compensation for missed work
If an employee is out of work:
- Less than seven days: They are not eligible for disability payments.
- More than seven but less than 14 days: They are eligible for lost time benefits beginning on the eighth day.
- More than 14 days: They are eligible for benefits retroactive to the first day they stopped work.
Resolving disputes
If an employee or employer wishes to dispute a claim, they can use the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation’s alternative dispute resolution services. In alternative dispute resolution, the two parties talk informally with the help of a workers’ compensation judge to come to an agreed settlement. Alternative dispute resolution includes mediation, settlement conferences or informal conferences.
How to get workers' compensation
Insurance requirements for employers
Employers in Pennsylvania with one or more employees must carry workers' compensation insurance or qualify for self-insurance. Compliance with this requirement is essential to protect both the employer and employees.
Choosing the right insurance provider
When selecting a workers' compensation insurance provider, consider factors such as the provider's experience in the industry, financial stability, coverage options, claims process, customer service, and cost.
We recommend requesting multiple quotes and comparing the offerings before making a decision.
Covering your business and employees with a trusted insurance partner — like EverPeak — brings peace of mind so you can focus on your bottom line.
FAQs
Enforcing safety protocols, providing proper employee training, maintaining a clean and hazard-free work environment, and regularly reviewing safety practices can significantly reduce workplace injuries.
Your premium is primarily determined by your industry payroll classifications, geographic location and total annual payroll. Your business’s safety history can also play a major role in determining your final rate. Three key factors influence your base insurance rate:
- Industry classification codes: Higher-hazard trades naturally carry higher baseline rates.
- Geographic location: Rates and statutory benefit structures fluctuate heavily by state lines.
- Historical safety record: Maintaining an accident-free workplace lowers your Experience Modification Rate (E-mod), resulting in built-in premium discounts.
Most states require businesses with employees to carry workers’ compensation insurance to stay compliant. Requirements vary by location, but having coverage ensures your business is protected and your team has access to benefits if an injury occurs.
Employees can verify online if their employer has coverage through the state’s online search tool.
Ideally, the incident should be reported immediately or within a few days of the occurrence. Prompt reporting helps ensures the necessary steps are taken to initiate the workers' compensation claims process.
Whether you need coverage for contractors depends entirely on your state’s specific regulatory definitions and formal worker classification tests. Since misclassification regulations are highly complex and can lead to severe audits or stop-work orders, it’s vital to ensure your entire labor force is properly verified and protected based on the actual day-to-day work they do.
Learn more: Do independent contractors need workers’ compensation?
In most cases, employees in Virginia are barred from suing their employers for work-related injuries or illnesses. The workers' compensation system provides an exclusive remedy, meaning that employees typically cannot file a lawsuit against their employers. Instead, they must pursue a workers' compensation claim to receive benefits for their injuries or illnesses.
In Virginia, employers who fail to procure or sustain the appropriate workers' compensation coverage for their employees may face civil fines of up to $250 per day of non-compliance. Failure to adhere to this requirement can reach a maximum of $50,000 in fines.
Workers’ compensation is a form of insurance that benefits employers and employees in the case of a work-related injury or illness.
Why choose EverPeak for workers’ comp coverage?
EverPeak protects the hardest-working businesses in (state) with simple, reliable workers’ comp starting as low as $18 a month. Backed by over a century of specialized experience, customers get multi-state coverage, fast and easy claims support, and a vast network of brokers.