Specific Loss Benefits in Pennsylvania
Permanent Injuries & Pennsylvania Workers' Compensation
Pennsylvania workers who suffer amputations, permanent loss of use of a body part, significant hearing or vision loss, or disfiguring scarring may be entitled to specific loss benefits under the Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Act. Paula Robinson has practiced workers’ compensation law for more than 35 years and has represented both claimants and employers, giving her direct knowledge of how insurance carriers think and how they challenge these claims. Robinson Law LLC serves injured workers across Pennsylvania. Even if you didn’t miss any time from work, a qualifying injury may still entitle you to specific loss benefits.
If you want to learn more about specific loss benefits and workers' compensation in Pennsylvania, call (215) 804-9924. Paula can answer your questions and offer helpful insight.
How Do Specific Loss Benefits Work?
To create uniformity, the Act sets out specific categories of disfigurement and specific loss. Scarring or disfigurement must be above the clavicle to be considered. In a scarring claim, the attorney representing the injured worker, the attorney for the employer or workers’ compensation carrier, and the assigned workers’ compensation judge all review the scarring. The injured worker testifies about how the injury occurred, and the parties literally measure and describe the scarring on the record, with a court reporter making a transcript of the hearing. If the parties can’t agree on the dollar amount to settle the scarring claim, the workers’ compensation judge can decide the number of weeks at the compensation rate to arrive at a lump sum amount to be paid to the injured worker and issue a written Order and Decision.
Specific loss cases can raise several complicating issues, including statute of limitations, healing periods, and separate and distinct injuries. A Claim Petition must be filed within three years of the date of injury, and the employer must be notified of the injury within 120 days. Insurance carriers frequently challenge specific loss claims, request independent medical examinations (IMEs), and may attempt to deny or minimize a loss-of-use determination. Because Paula has sat on the employer and carrier side of the table, she understands the specific arguments and IME strategies carriers use to reduce or defeat a loss-of-use finding. She prepares your case with those tactics already in mind.
In Pennsylvania, specific loss workers' comp benefits may include:
- Benefits for loss of vision, partial or total blindness
- Benefits for loss of hearing, partial or total deafness
- Benefits for disfigurement, including dental and facial breaks and deformities
- Benefits for scarring of the neck, face, and head
- Benefits for total and partial amputations to arms, fingers, legs, and toes
Helping Eastern PA Workers Pursue Specific Loss Benefits
These injuries may or may not occur with another work injury, and even if you can continue working, you may be entitled to specific loss, hearing, or vision loss benefits. At Robinson Law LLC, we’ve helped workers pursue specific loss benefits for missing teeth, eye injuries, scarring, and partial and total loss of fingers, toes, and limbs. Many workers never file these claims simply because they don’t know they qualify. The absence of lost wages doesn’t mean the absence of a benefit, and a permanent loss deserves to be recognized and compensated under Pennsylvania law.
If you’ve suffered a specific loss injury, contact Paula Robinson for a free consultation. You’ll work directly with Paula throughout your case, not a paralegal or case manager. Call (215) 804-9924 to get started.
Why Injured Workers Choose Robinson Law LLC
Workers' compensation and nothing else for 35+ years. Here's what you can expect with our firm:
- Certified Workers' Comp Specialist
- $22+ Million Recovered
- Direct Line to Paula
- Free Initial Consultation
What Clients Say About Paula
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Very quick and knowledgeable to respond to all my questions.Nora Hanstein
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Paula was very thorough and informative.Dennis Barone
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I’m completely satisfied with her work and the outcome.Dennis Barone
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Paula is very attentive to her clients. She works very good at answering clients' questions thoroughly.Bil
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Because of her approach, I felt completely secure and confident that my case was in the best possible hands.Swayy94
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She was extremely attentive, responsive, and always made me feel supported throughout the process.Melissa Gorgol
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Her professionalism, persistence, and compassion made all the difference in my case.Jessica Grey
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Amazing attorney that fought for me and got me what I deserved.Kasey
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Along the way I received very solid advice for my situation.Rich Reinhart
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I recommend Paula Robinson; she did an amazing job with my case.Leydi Raposo
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From the first time I met Paula, I knew she would take care of me.Mountain Alternatives
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She keeps you very well informed during the whole process of your case and answers all questions promptly.Brian Galle
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She is always there for her clients and will fight until she gets a fair settlement!JB Mohr
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If anyone needs a Workers' Comp lawyer, Paula is your lawyer!steve harris
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Any client in need of a professional Workers’ Comp Attorney would be extremely grateful in having her on their side.Edna Feliciano-Flatts
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Dedicated attorney, easy to work with.Gabriel Picarello
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Tenacious and savvy, she obtained a settlement that allowed an opportunity for me to move on from my worker’s compensation case to a new future.Ray Wilder
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After my work injury my Fiancé and I wanted to be sure we were doing everything correctly to move our lives forward. It can be an overwhelming and scary process, dealing with large insurance firms by yourself. We turned to Paula Robinson and were glad to have her on our side. Paula is friendly, professional, and most importantly good at her job. She treated us like old friends in her office, and as a professional and seasoned attorney in the courtroom. Mrs. Robinson took care of everything, all bills, NeuroAndrew S.
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After having a severe injury at work, my Attorney, Paula Robinson, was very persistent in dealing with the insurance company for my settlement. She is an exceptional lawyer. Paula took a lot of time with my wife and I to make sure we understood everything. I would recommend Attorney Robinson to anyone looking for a caring, personable, professional lawyer.David W.
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I thought I didn’t need a lawyer for my workman’s comp. case. I was so wrong. A friend recommended that I call Paula Robinson at Robinson Law. If you want an attorney who will treat you with personal commitment, one who answers all of your calls, one who goes out of her way to give you the personal attention you want, then Paula Robinson is the one you should call to handle your injury case. She will work hard to get you the best settlement possible in the shortest time. She is always just a phone call awayRich W.
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Being represented by Attorney Robinson was a wonderful experience for me and my family. Not only was Paula a competent and skilled attorney helping me receive compensation in my case, but she was truly sympathetic to my scenario and difficulties the circumstances presented for me and my loved ones. I would recommend Attorney Robinson for anyone dealing with a work related injury or disability. She is the best… thanks again Paula for everything!John H.
