One common error that may affect an injured worker's right to future benefits is an incorrect description of injury on the paperwork regarding the claim. Within three (3) weeks of first treating for a work injury, the injured worker should receive a Notice of Temporary Compensation Payable or Notice of Compensation Payable in the mail. On that notice, the injured worker should make sure the work injury is described accurately in the box marked "Injury Information." Similarly, before signing a Supplemental Agreement, the injured worker should make sure the work injury is described accurately in the box marked "Injury."
In 2010, a Pennsylvania court decided that an injured worker was barred from filing a petition to correct the description of injury because she had not collected wage loss benefits within the last three (3) years. (Fitzgibbons v. WCAB (City of Philadelphia), 999 A.2d 659 (Pa. Commw. 2010)). As a result, the workers' compensation insurance company was not required to pay for any future medical treatment or wage loss related to any injury other than an elbow injury, the only injury indicated on the initial notice. Meanwhile, the injured worker still needed treatment for neck, back, hip, leg, and knee injuries, all of which were allegedly related to the work injury.
This scenario is just one example of the many traps you unknowingly may fall into without seeking the proper legal advice about your claim from the outset. Therefore, even when you think you are not experiencing any problems with your workers' compensation claim, you should always call our law firm (412-288-6000) for a free legal consultation in order to ensure that your claim is being processed and documented properly.
Joshua Bloom 
Jonathan Colton 