Coronavirus (COVID-19) Relief Center
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Pennsylvania
These resources – like the public health crisis itself – are constantly evolving and are only current as to the date of publication. This page was last updated on August 13, 2020.
For more up-to-date information on the relief programs available in Pennsylvania, we recommend that you visit Responding to COVID-19 in Pennsylvania, the United Way's COVID-19 Resources or the Pennsylvania Chamber's Business Resources for Coronavirus.
Description of Program and Relief
Workers’ Compensation Benefits for Work-Related Injury or Illness
Under Pennsylvania’s worker compensation laws—which predate the COVID-19 crisis—employees who sustain work-related illness or injury may be eligible to receive (1) compensation for medical expenses and (2) if they are unable to work, wage-loss compensation benefits until they are able to resume work. Additionally, where an employee dies as a result of work-related injury or illness, the employee’s survivors may be eligible to receive death benefits. The laws apply broadly to nearly all employees in the Commonwealth.
On March 16, 2020, the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry issued an announcement clarifying that workers’ compensation benefits may be available to employees who have been exposed to COVID-19 in the workplace. Employees seeking such benefits must follow the standard workers’ compensation claim process (see below).
Government or Lead Agency
Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry
Dates Available
Open indefinitely
Eligibility Requirements/Restrictions
Workers’ compensation benefits are available only to those who have sustained work-related illness or injury (or to the families of those who have died as a result of such illness or injury). An employee seeking workers’ compensation benefits based on known or suspected COVID-19 exposure can do so in either of two ways:
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The employee can notify his/her employer to file a typical workers’ compensation claim, which requires the employee to provide medical evidence of exposure to COVID-19; or
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The employee can notify the employer to file an “occupational disease” workers’ compensation claim, which requires the employee to show that exposure to COVID-19 is greater in the employee’s occupation/industry than it is for the general population.
If the employee’s claim is denied, the employee can file a claim with the Commonwealth’s WC Office of Adjudication.
Application Deadlines (If Applicable)
There is no specific date by which employees must file their workers’ compensation claims. However, prompt reporting is absolutely critical. Employees who wish to seek benefits based on COVID-19 exposure should notify employers of their claims as soon as is practicable, as failure to do so could result in delay or denial of benefits.
Contact for More Information
Bureau of Workers’ Compensation Helpline Telephone (Toll-Free): 800-482-2383
Bureau of Workers’ Compensation Helpline Telephone (Local/Out of State): 717-772-4447
Bureau of Workers’ Compensation Helpline (for Hearing-Impaired Employees): PA Relay 7-1-1
List of Additional Information
A brochure providing basic information about the workers’ compensation system and claims process is available online here:
Information on the history of the program is available here:
The Department of Labor and Industry’s press release regarding workers’ compensation and COVID-19 is available here:
© 2021 Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP. This does not constitute legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. In some jurisdictions, this publication may be considered attorney advertising. Past representations are no guarantee of future outcomes.