Most people in Pennsylvania who are employed are aware that they face risks in the workplace. While they work hard to avoid work-related injuries, some take comfort in knowing that if they are injured at work, workers' compensation insurance benefits will help them with the financial consequences of their injuries. However, an employer may sometimes argue that an injured worker is not entitled to such benefits, forcing the worker to take further action.
One woman has recently won her battle to receive workers' compensation insurance benefits. The young woman was 21 years old when she lost the lower part of her leg in an accident involving an airport tug, a piece of equipment used to pull luggage carts. At the time of the accident, she was driving the tug to meet her mother who was bringing her money and food.
Because she was using the vehicle for personal reasons at the time of the accident, her employer claimed that the incident was not actually work-related and, as a result, that she does not deserve workers' compensation benefits. However, a Pennsylvania court recently upheld the Workers Compensation Appeal Board's ruling that she does deserve the benefits. The court explained that since the worker was using the tug with the permission of a supervisor, she was still considered to be on the job under the "personal comfort doctrine."
Unfortunately, some people have difficulty receiving the workers' compensation benefits they deserve. Even with a relatively straightforward case, the process can be complicated and confusing for people in Pennsylvania who are recovering from a serious injury. Even after an initial denial, injured workers have options. An attorney with experience with the process can help victims of such an accident pursue fair compensation to help them cope with the financial ramifications of their work-related injuries.
Source: pennlive.com, "Woman who lost leg in on-the-job accident can't be denied worker's comp, Pa. court says", Matt Miller, March 7, 2017
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