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As per the Governor's shut down we are working remotely, however rest assured that we are still working to protect your rights! Please email us at dbrilliant@bnlegal.com for Dina Brilliant and gneiman@bnlegal.com for Glenn Neiman or call us at (215) 638-7500 and leave a message as we are checking our messages.

A new Frequently Asked Question has been, "I have the Coronavirus, can I get workers' compensation benefits?" The answer is that, yes, you may be entitled to workers compensation benefits depending on the facts. This can be whether you have contracted COVID-19 through work, or whether you have lost a modified duty job through an employer closing or layoff. Email or call us to discuss the specifics of your case in regard to the Coronavirus or any other work injury.

October 29, 2009

Modification of Workers’ Compensation Benefits in PA, Based on IRE, May Require Job Availability to be Shown

by Glenn Neiman

In a case that has been working its way through the Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation system for some time now, the Supreme Court has accepted appeal in the matter of Diehl v. Workers’ Compensation Appeal Board (WCAB).

As was discussed in a previous blog entry, the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania concluded that a workers’ compensation insurance carrier need not prove job availability whether or not the IRE request is made within 60 days of the expiration of 104 weeks of total disability. Instead, if that time period is missed, the workers’ comp insurance company merely has to prove the Impairment Rating Evaluation resulted in an impairment rating of less than 50%.

The Supreme Court of PA has accepted appeal to determine whether evidence of job availability or earning power is required to change disability status from total to partial as a result of an IRE.

As always, we will keep you informed on further developments in this important area.