I’ve Received A Notice Of Compensation Payable, But What Does It Mean?
Workers who get injured at work and pursue a workers’ compensation claim in Pennsylvania may receive a Notice of Compensation Payable from their employer’s insurance carrier. If you received such a notice when seeking workers’ compensation benefits, you might wonder, “What does it mean, and what happens next?”
If you were injured in the course of your employment or developed a work-related illness, it is essential to consult with a Harrisburg workers’ compensation attorney before filing a claim against your employer’s insurer.
What Does It Mean if You Receive a Notice of Compensation Payable in Pennsylvania?
The fact that you received a Notice of Compensation Payable from your employer’s insurance company means that the insurer accepted liability for your workers’ compensation claim, either fully or partially.
Just because the insurance company accepted your injury does not necessarily mean that you are guaranteed to get the compensation to which you are entitled.
Basically, the Notice means that the insurance company agrees to provide coverage for your work-related injury or illness. While the Notice confirms that the insurer has accepted your claim, it is critical to examine the contents of the Notice to ensure that you receive coverage for all your losses and damages.
What Does the Notice of Compensation Payable Contain?
The Notice of Compensation Payable contains vital information regarding your workers’ compensation claim, which is why you may want to have your attorney review the Notice to make sure that you are fairly compensated for your workplace injury or illness.
Specifically, the Notice contains the following information:
- Your average weekly wage prior to the injury
- The amount of wage loss benefits the insurance company is willing to pay
- The amount of medical benefits the insurance company is willing to pay
- The date when you will start receiving workers’ compensation benefits
- A description of your work-related injury or illness
Pay attention to all details in the Notice, including the description of your injury. The description must be accurate because the insurance company will only cover medical expenses related to the injury described in the Notice.
What to Do if You Received a Notice of Compensation Payable?
While receiving a Notice of Compensation Payable is definitely a good sign that you will receive workers’ compensation benefits, there are certain things you should do after receiving the Notice to ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve.
If you received the Notice from your employer’s workers’ compensation insurer, check the following things:
- Make sure that your Average Weekly Wage (AWW) is correct. The insurance company may forget to include your bonuses, overtime, and other types of compensation when calculating your AWW.
- Make sure that your weekly compensation rate is correctly calculated based on the weekly rates for the current calendar year found on Pennsylvania’s Department of Labor & Industry’s website.
- If your injury resulted in missed work, make sure that the insurer did not check the box that reads “no loss of wages; medical benefits only.”
Note: The average weekly wage specified in the Notice should be calculated based on your gross earnings.
Speak with a Harrisburg Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
Do not hesitate to schedule a case review with our lawyers at Ira H. Weinstock, P.C., if you received a Notice of Compensation Payable after filing a workers’ compensation claim in Pennsylvania. Our attorneys are prepared to ensure that you are properly and fully compensated for your losses and damages. Call 717-238-1657 to get a consultation.
