What workers’ compensation forms am I most likely to receive if I am injured at work?
This is a very common question for people that have a workers’ compensation case. We see it all the time at ARM Lawyers.
It’s an important question because the workers’ compensation forms that you receive and/or file in a PA workers’ comp case are varied, and not understanding them can be detrimental to your case.
So, in this article we’re going to cover the 5 most common workers’ compensation forms that are received after being injured at work.
Then we will give a short description of each of the 5 forms, and explain how each form might be used in a workers’ comp case
Let’s get to it.
The 5 most common workers’ compensation forms in PA are:
- Notice of Workers’ Compensation Denial
- Notice of Temporary Compensation Payable
- Notice of Compensation Payable
- Notice of Ability to Return to Work
- Notification of Modification or Suspension
All of these forms are issued by your employer or its insurance company.
We recommend that you consult with an experienced Pennsylvania workers’ compensation attorney if you receive any of these documents.
Attorney Joshua B. Goldberg has been handling PA workers’ comp cases for nearly 25 years, and is an expert in dealing with workers’ compensation forms.
Our workers’ compensation consultations are 100% FREE, call today and schedule your free consultation with Attorney Goldberg.
He will help you understand these forms and make sure you get the benefits you deserve.
The 5 common workers’ compensation forms: Explaining the forms
Now, let’s explain each workers’ compensation form individually and get to understand these workers’ compensation forms better.
Notice of Workers’ Compensation Denial
If you are injured at work and properly report the injury, you may receive a Notice of Workers’ Compensation Denial.
If you receive this form, your claim has been denied.
Your employer and/or its insurance company has decided not to take responsibility for your work injury. They must indicate a valid basis for denying the claim.
If you receive a Notice of Workers’ Compensation Denial, you can immediately file a Workers’ Compensation Petition seeking benefits.
You should receive this form within 21 days after you report your work accident. If you don’t, you need to call a PA workers’ comp lawyer.
Notice of Temporary Compensation Payable
If you are injured at work and properly report the injury, you may receive a Notice of Temporary Compensation Payable.
A Notice of Temporary Compensation Payable is intended to temporarily accept the injury for ninety (90) days.
At the end of the ninety (90) day period, your employer and/or its insurance company can deny the claim as if it were never accepted.
There is also the possibility that your case is accepted as a “medical only” claim.
The “medical only” language gives your employer and/or its insurance company the opportunity to accept a work injury, where you are not missing work.
Through this form you can receive medical benefits and possibly wage loss benefits for up to 90 days.
Notice of Compensation Payable
If you are injured at work and properly report the injury, you may receive a Notice of Compensation Payable.
The Notice of Compensation Payable is used by your employer and/or its insurance company to accept the claim and liability for your work injury.
There is no 90-day temporary basis.
If you receive this form, your employer and its insurance company have agreed that you have been hurt at work and you should receive medical benefits and possibly wage loss.
Once again, there is a “medical only” version of this form.
The “medical only” language gives your employer and/or its insurance company the opportunity to accept a work injury, where you are not missing work, so medical benefits will be paid, but not wage loss benefits.
Notice of Ability to Return to Work
After completion of an IME, it is not uncommon to receive a Notice of Ability to Return to Work.
This is a specific form that the insurance company is required to provide you with if the IME doctor or your treating physician has determined that you are recovered from any or all of your injuries and/or are able to return to work with or without restrictions.
If you receive this form, you should contact an attorney.
Usually, this form means that a Petition will soon be filed, or some other action is going to be taken by your employer, such as an offer to return to work or the filing of a Petition to stop your benefits.
A Notice of Ability to Return to Work may also lead to you being contacted by a vocational counselor.
Notification of Modification or Suspension
The Notification of Modification or Suspension is used when you have returned to work in some capacity for your time-of-injury employer.
If upon returning to work you are earning equal to or greater than your pre-injury wages, the form serves as a Notification of Suspension.
If upon returning to work you are earning less than your pre-injury wages, the form serves as a Notification of Modification.
If you ever receive this form, you should contact an attorney at once.
The reason is that if the form is incorrect, you only have 20 days to challenge the form.
How to get help with your Pennsylvania workers’ compensation forms
If you need help with any of the workers’ compensation forms mentioned in this article, or any other form or petitions for your PA workers’ comp case, give us a call today.
Attorney Goldberg will help you through through the process, and see to it that you get the benefits you deserve, and that you file your workers’ compensation forms correctly.
It’s very important to file these forms correctly, and in the allotted time frame, as these forms play an big role in your workers’ compensation case.
We hope you found this article helpful, you have any further questions, or need legal help from a professional please reach out, we’re here to help!
