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• Specific Loss

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Specific Loss legal definition: Specific loss is a type of workers’ compensation benefit available to employees injured on the job in Pennsylvania. Specific loss benefits provide for compensation when work conditions cause:

• Hearing loss 

• Vision impairment

• Disfigurement

• Amputation

Specific Loss and Workers’ Compensation Cases?

The amount of compensation paid to injured workers who’ve suffered a specific loss is made pursuant to a defined schedule set by state statute. Examples of specific loss benefits include:

• Loss of a hand: Workers are entitled to 66 and two-third percent of wages for 335 weeks

• Loss of a forearm: Workers are entitled to 66 and two-thirds percent of wages for 370 weeks

• Loss of an arm or leg: Workers are entitled to 66 and two-thirds percent of wages for 410 weeks

• Loss of a foot: Workers are entitled to 66 and two-thirds percent of wages for 250 weeks

• Loss of a lower leg: Workers are entitled to 66 and two-thirds percent of wages for 350 weeks

• Loss of an eye: Workers are entitled to 66 and two-thirds percent of wages for 275 weeks

• Loss of a thumb: Workers are entitled to 66 and two-thirds percent of wages for 100 weeks

• Serious and permanent disfigurement of the head, neck, and face are entitled to 66 and two-thirds percent of wages not to exceed 275 weeks

In addition to compensation, specific loss benefits provide injured workers with a healing period. Like the amount of compensation payable to workers who’ve suffered a specific loss, the length of the healing period is determined by statute and range from six to 25 weeks.

If you or someone you care about suffered a serious on-the-job injury, a skilled workers’ compensation attorney can help navigate the process and maximize the specific loss benefits to which you may be entitled. 

Sources:

https://codes.findlaw.com/pa/title-77-ps-workers-compensation/pa-st-sect-77-513.html

https://www.dli.pa.gov/Businesses/Compensation/WC/conferences/Documents/2017%20Handouts/Understanding%20the%20Basics%20-%20Mental%20Injuries,%20Specific%20Loss%20and%20Scarring%20Presentation.pdf 

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