Accountability for Worker Comp Carrier

[almser]

My brother was injured at work back in December 2011. He did as was required by his employers worker's comp doctor with no improvement for 2 1/2 months. He was hospitalized as a result of the medication prescribed by workers comp doctor for 3 weeks. Once discharged from hospital, the 90 days were up and he was seen by his family doctor who took him out of work because of work injury and referred him to orth. specialist who also took him out of work due to work injury. He returns to ortho specialist this coming week after having diagnostic studies that doctor ordered. When should my brother receive his workers comp benefits? Do the workers comp ins carriers count the 21 days as business days meaning Monday to Friday? The ortho doctor says by his physical examination that there is definitely an issue with injury that was most likely accelerated by the phyical therapy prescribed. He has heard nothing from workers comp carrier. He called last week to ask about benefits and was told by adjustor she would call him. Isn't there any accountability for workers comp carrier? Don't they have to follow guidelines?

[BvIA]

Wage replacement, or TTD is calculated on a 7 day work week.
Yes, there are laws/statutes both parties are bound by.
If there is a delay/denial in payment of benefits, it's a good idea to consult with a certified WC attorney.\

[Timothy Belt]

I would once again note that PA does not have certified WC attorney's so you can not consult with one; however, my understanding is that is scheduled to change within the next year. That being said, there are rules and they are often ignored. If your brother is not satisfied with the carrier's response, he should certainly consider talking with a workers' compensation attorney. A legitimate workers' compensation attorney is unlikely to charge any fee until he or she actually obtains wage loss benefits for your brother, so there really is no down side to contacting them.

Wage replacement, or TTD is calculated on a 7 day work week.
Yes, there are laws/statutes both parties are bound by.
If there is a delay/denial in payment of benefits, it's a good idea to consult with a certified WC attorney.\