It is a felony in Pennsylvania for an employer not to have workers’ compensation insurance. Employees assume in good faith that the people for whom they work are doing the right thing. Unfortunately, with respect to insurance coverage for work injuries, that is not always the case.
If you are injured at work, you should promptly report the injury to your supervisor and ask him or her the name of the workers’ compensation insurance carrier. If they balk or push back, be respectful but insistent. Sometimes employers are reluctant to provide the information because they do not want the hassle or aggravation of a workers’ compensation claim. Too bad for them, you are hard at work, and it is your right to file a claim. If gentle nudging does not get you the name of the provider, red flags should go up. At that point, it is in your best interests to talk to an attorney at no obligation to see what next steps you need to make.
Lack of insurance does not prevent you from filing a claim but it certainly makes the navigation of a claim a little more complex than it would be if the employer would have done the right thing. The workers’ compensation attorneys at Abes Baumann have significant experience litigating and winning claims against uninsured employers.