PHILADELPHIA WORKERS’ COMPENSATION LAWYERS REPRESENT PUBLIC EMPLOYEES INJURED AT WORK
Public employees face unique dangers at work due to the unpredictable nature of their jobs. However, just like all types of injured workers, they may encounter challenges when filing a Workers’ Compensation claim. Having an experienced Workers’ Compensation lawyer can help to ensure that claims are handled correctly and that the maximum benefits are awarded.
Philadelphia Workers’ Compensation Lawyers at Mulvey-Budney Law, P.C. represent all public employees including:
All Pennsylvania employers are required to carry Workers’ Compensation insurance to protect their employees if they are injured at work. Workers’ Compensation benefits typically include medical benefits as well as wage loss benefits. Death benefits may also be extended to dependents of a worker killed in the line of duty.
Pennsylvania public employees are covered under the same Workers’ Compensation laws as private company employees. However, many may be eligible for additional and often superior benefits, such as those covered under the Pennsylvania Heart and Lung Act, Act 534/632, or Civil Service Regulation 32.
Pennsylvania Heart and Lung Act
The Pennsylvania Heart and Lung Act benefits police officers, firefighters, and other public safety officials in the event that they are temporarily disabled because of an injury that occurred in the line of duty. Recipients are paid 100% of their regular salary, tax-free, plus medical expenses.
Eligible employees are entitled to retain any vacation, sick, personal, or other leave they had before the accident occurred. An employee collecting Heart and Lung benefits may also collect Workers’ Compensation benefits (typically two-thirds of regular salary) but payments will be turned back over to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Heart and Lung benefits may be collected until the time that the worker is either cleared to return to work, or is deemed permanently disabled.
Pennsylvania Act 534/632
Act 534/632 benefits employees of Pennsylvania penal and correctional institutions under the Bureau of Corrections of the Department of Justice. The Act also covers any employee of a state psychiatric hospital or Youth Development Center under the Department of Public Welfare. Much like Heart and Lung benefits, Act 534/632 pays the full salary for persons that are temporarily disabled because of an injury that occurred while performing the duties of their job.
The Act applies to any employee who is injured by an inmate or an individual who has been committed to the mental institution. The Act also covers any employee of the Department of Public Welfare who volunteers to be a firefighter and is injured while carrying out those duties. In some cases, benefits equal to 50% of a deceased employee’s salary may be extended to their widow or dependents.
Civil Service Regulation 32
Regulation 32 provides benefits to all full-time Philadelphia Civil Service employees who have become disabled because of an injury that occurred while performing the duties of their job and have opted not to receive Workers’ Compensation benefits. Regulation 32 provides free medical care, hospitalization, and rehabilitation, in connection with the disability from care providers approved by the City’s Medical Director. The Regulation also pays a disability salary that is 75 – 80% of an employee’s original salary, depending on the employee’s position.
DETERMINING THE BEST OPTION FOR INJURED PUBLIC EMPLOYEES
In most cases, those who are eligible for benefits under one of these Acts are able to receive higher awards than they would under traditional Workers’ Compensation. However, most use only base salary to determine compensation, and do not factor in overtime or income from second jobs that would be included in determining traditional Workers’ Compensation benefits. For this reason and more, it is best to consult with a reputable Philadelphia Workers’ Compensation lawyer who has extensive experience in handling the unique needs of public employee workplace injuries.
PHILADELPHIA WORKERS’ COMPENSATION LAWYERS PROTECT THE RIGHTS OF INJURED PUBLIC EMPLOYEES
Philadelphia Workers’ Compensation lawyers at Mulvey-Budney Law, P.C. are dedicated to serving the needs of those who do so much for our community. If you have been injured at work, we can help make sure that you receive the maximum amount of compensation that you are entitled to, quickly and with the least amount of stress to you and your family. Our thorough knowledge of the Workers’ Compensation process in Pennsylvania will ensure that your claim is processed without delay.
We proudly serve clients throughout the Philadelphia region, including Bucks, Montgomery, and Delaware Counties. Call 215-731-0100 today to schedule your free consultation with one of our experienced and knowledgeable Workers’ Compensation attorneys or contact us online.
Philadelphia Workers’ Compensation Lawyers at Mulvey-Budney Law, P.C. represent all public employees including:
- Police officers
- Members of AFSCME District Council 33 and Local 159
- Firefighters
- EMTs and Paramedics
- Streets department employees
- Water department employees
- Maintenance workers
- Court employees
- Park guards
All Pennsylvania employers are required to carry Workers’ Compensation insurance to protect their employees if they are injured at work. Workers’ Compensation benefits typically include medical benefits as well as wage loss benefits. Death benefits may also be extended to dependents of a worker killed in the line of duty.
Pennsylvania public employees are covered under the same Workers’ Compensation laws as private company employees. However, many may be eligible for additional and often superior benefits, such as those covered under the Pennsylvania Heart and Lung Act, Act 534/632, or Civil Service Regulation 32.
Pennsylvania Heart and Lung Act
The Pennsylvania Heart and Lung Act benefits police officers, firefighters, and other public safety officials in the event that they are temporarily disabled because of an injury that occurred in the line of duty. Recipients are paid 100% of their regular salary, tax-free, plus medical expenses.
Eligible employees are entitled to retain any vacation, sick, personal, or other leave they had before the accident occurred. An employee collecting Heart and Lung benefits may also collect Workers’ Compensation benefits (typically two-thirds of regular salary) but payments will be turned back over to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Heart and Lung benefits may be collected until the time that the worker is either cleared to return to work, or is deemed permanently disabled.
Pennsylvania Act 534/632
Act 534/632 benefits employees of Pennsylvania penal and correctional institutions under the Bureau of Corrections of the Department of Justice. The Act also covers any employee of a state psychiatric hospital or Youth Development Center under the Department of Public Welfare. Much like Heart and Lung benefits, Act 534/632 pays the full salary for persons that are temporarily disabled because of an injury that occurred while performing the duties of their job.
The Act applies to any employee who is injured by an inmate or an individual who has been committed to the mental institution. The Act also covers any employee of the Department of Public Welfare who volunteers to be a firefighter and is injured while carrying out those duties. In some cases, benefits equal to 50% of a deceased employee’s salary may be extended to their widow or dependents.
Civil Service Regulation 32
Regulation 32 provides benefits to all full-time Philadelphia Civil Service employees who have become disabled because of an injury that occurred while performing the duties of their job and have opted not to receive Workers’ Compensation benefits. Regulation 32 provides free medical care, hospitalization, and rehabilitation, in connection with the disability from care providers approved by the City’s Medical Director. The Regulation also pays a disability salary that is 75 – 80% of an employee’s original salary, depending on the employee’s position.
DETERMINING THE BEST OPTION FOR INJURED PUBLIC EMPLOYEES
In most cases, those who are eligible for benefits under one of these Acts are able to receive higher awards than they would under traditional Workers’ Compensation. However, most use only base salary to determine compensation, and do not factor in overtime or income from second jobs that would be included in determining traditional Workers’ Compensation benefits. For this reason and more, it is best to consult with a reputable Philadelphia Workers’ Compensation lawyer who has extensive experience in handling the unique needs of public employee workplace injuries.
PHILADELPHIA WORKERS’ COMPENSATION LAWYERS PROTECT THE RIGHTS OF INJURED PUBLIC EMPLOYEES
Philadelphia Workers’ Compensation lawyers at Mulvey-Budney Law, P.C. are dedicated to serving the needs of those who do so much for our community. If you have been injured at work, we can help make sure that you receive the maximum amount of compensation that you are entitled to, quickly and with the least amount of stress to you and your family. Our thorough knowledge of the Workers’ Compensation process in Pennsylvania will ensure that your claim is processed without delay.
We proudly serve clients throughout the Philadelphia region, including Bucks, Montgomery, and Delaware Counties. Call 215-731-0100 today to schedule your free consultation with one of our experienced and knowledgeable Workers’ Compensation attorneys or contact us online.