When you’re hurt at work, you need to know what you’re entitled to, without wading through legal language. This chart lays out the main Pennsylvania workers’ comp benefits in plain English. It’s a starting point. Your real numbers depend on your pay, your injury and your case, and that’s where Philly Injury Lawyer comes in.
Types of Benefits
| Benefit | What it pays | How long |
|---|---|---|
| Medical | All reasonable treatment for the work injury | As long as treatment is needed for the injury |
| Total disability | Weekly checks while you can’t work | No set limit, but can be reviewed after 104 weeks |
| Partial disability | Two-thirds of the difference between your old and new pay | Up to 500 weeks |
| Specific loss | Set weeks of pay for losing a body part, its use, sight or hearing | Number of weeks set by law |
| Disfigurement | Pay for serious, permanent scarring of the head, neck or face | Up to 275 weeks |
| Death | Weekly benefits for dependents, plus funeral costs | Depends on the dependent |
Weekly Rates for 2026 Injuries
| Your average weekly wage | Your weekly benefit |
|---|---|
| $774.43 or less | 90% of your average weekly wage |
| $774.44 to $1,045.50 | $697.00 |
| $1,045.51 to $2,091.00 | Two-thirds of your average weekly wage |
| Over $2,091.00 | $1,394.00 (the maximum) |
These rates apply to injuries on or after January 1, 2026, and are published each year by the Department of Labor & Industry. See How Is Workers’ Comp Pay Calculated?
Specific Loss: Weeks of Benefits
| Body part lost, or use permanently lost | Weeks of pay |
|---|---|
| Arm | 410 |
| Leg | 410 |
| Forearm | 370 |
| Lower leg | 350 |
| Hand | 335 |
| Eye (sight) | 275 |
| Hearing, both ears | 260 |
| Foot | 250 |
| Thumb | 100 |
| Hearing, one ear | 60 |
| Index finger | 50 |
| Great toe | 40 |
Specific loss benefits are paid at your weekly rate, and a set healing period is added for many body parts. Partial hearing loss is paid based on the percentage of hearing lost.
Death Benefits
| Who is left behind | Share of the worker’s wages |
|---|---|
| Spouse, no children | 51% |
| Spouse and one child | 60% |
| Spouse and two or more children | 66⅔% |
Funeral expenses are also paid, up to a limit set by law. See Wrongful Death Lawyer in Philadelphia.
Key Deadlines
| What | When |
|---|---|
| Tell your employer, to be paid from day one | Within 21 days |
| Tell your employer, or lose your claim | Within 120 days |
| Insurer accepts or denies | Within 21 days of notice |
| File a Claim Petition | Within 3 years of the injury |
| Appeal a judge’s decision | Within 20 days |
| Settlement paid after approval | Within 30 days |
What’s Your Claim Worth? Call Us
This chart can’t tell you everything your case is worth, especially if you also have a third-party claim. Call (215) 735-4800 for a free review. We Win or It’s Free®.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the maximum workers’ comp benefit in Pennsylvania in 2026?
$1,394.00 per week for injuries on or after January 1, 2026.
How long can I get workers’ comp in Pennsylvania?
Total disability has no set end date but can be reviewed after 104 weeks. Partial disability is capped at 500 weeks. Medical benefits continue as long as treatment is needed for the injury.
Are specific loss benefits paid on top of my weekly checks?
They’re paid on their own schedule after a healing period. How they combine with wage-loss benefits depends on your case.
Pennsylvania Law in Plain English
All of these benefits come from Pennsylvania’s Workers’ Compensation Act. The weekly maximum and minimum change every January, based on the statewide average weekly wage.
