Pennsylvania's workers compensation schedule has some of the highest week allotments in the nation: 410 weeks for an arm or leg, 335 for a hand, 275 for an eye, and 100 for a thumb. This calculator estimates your TTD and schedule loss benefits under 77 P.S., along with the 90-day panel rule, Compromise and Release procedures, and the binaural hearing loss formula.
Operated by Mustafa Bilgic, non-attorney individual. Schedule weeks from 77 P.S. Section 513. Max TTD = 100% of PA SAWW (updates annually). Verify at PA Department of Labor & Industry.
| Item | Pennsylvania rule | Authority |
|---|---|---|
| TTD rate | 66 2/3% of AWW | 77 P.S. 511 |
| Max TTD | 100% of SAWW (verify current $ at PA DLI) | 77 P.S. 511 |
| Waiting period | 7 days | 77 P.S. 306(a) |
| Retroactive threshold | 14 days | 77 P.S. 306(a) |
| PPD: Arm | 410 weeks | 77 P.S. 513 |
| PPD: Leg | 410 weeks | 77 P.S. 513 |
| PPD: Hand | 335 weeks | 77 P.S. 513 |
| PPD: Foot | 250 weeks | 77 P.S. 513 |
| PPD: Eye | 275 weeks | 77 P.S. 513 |
| PPD: Thumb | 100 weeks | 77 P.S. 513 |
| PPD: Hearing | Up to 260 weeks (binaural formula) | 77 P.S. 513 |
| Statute of limitations | 3 years from injury | 77 P.S. 315 |
| Doctor choice | Employer panel first 90 days; free choice after | 77 P.S. 306(f.1) |
| Settlement | Compromise & Release (C&R) with judge approval | 77 P.S. 449 |
Pennsylvania's schedule loss benefits under Section 513 are among the most generous in the United States. Compare PA's arm at 410 weeks with New York's 312 weeks, Illinois' 253 weeks, or Georgia's 225 weeks. This means a 20% loss of use of the arm in Pennsylvania equals 82 weeks of benefits, versus 62.4 weeks in New York and 50.6 weeks in Illinois for the same percentage of impairment.
The schedule benefit rate is 66 2/3% of AWW, subject to the same maximum as TTD. Pennsylvania also provides additional "healing period" weeks for certain scheduled injuries (10 to 25 weeks depending on injury type), which are paid before the schedule loss begins. This healing period is not available in most other states.
Pennsylvania's doctor choice rule is a hybrid. For the first 90 days, the employer may require the worker to treat with a physician from a posted panel of at least 6 providers. The employer must post this panel in a conspicuous place before the injury occurs. If the employer fails to post a valid panel, the worker may treat with any physician from the start.
After 90 days, the worker may switch to any licensed healthcare provider of their choice, and the employer remains obligated to pay for reasonable and necessary treatment. This transition from employer-controlled to worker-controlled medical care is unique to Pennsylvania and creates an important strategic decision point at the 90-day mark.
Uses 77 P.S. Section 513 schedule. Educational only.
Pennsylvania handles occupational hearing loss differently from most states. Rather than assigning a flat number of weeks per ear, PA uses the binaural hearing formula from the AMA Impairment Guides. Compensation for occupational noise-induced hearing loss can reach 260 weeks. Importantly, no benefits are awarded if binaural impairment is 10% or less, and impairment at or above 75% is presumed to be total hearing loss. This threshold-based approach means workers with mild hearing loss receive nothing, while those with moderate to severe loss can receive substantial awards. Workers in manufacturing, construction, and mining industries should be aware of these specific thresholds when evaluating their claims.
A Compromise and Release (C&R) agreement in Pennsylvania closes the entire claim in exchange for a lump sum. The worker gives up all future indemnity and medical benefits for the injury. A Workers Compensation Judge must review and approve the C&R, and the claimant must acknowledge understanding that they cannot reopen the claim. C&R agreements are common when the parties want finality, the medical picture is stable, and the lump sum adequately accounts for future medical exposure.
Unlike a supplemental agreement (which merely modifies the benefit status), a C&R is a complete resolution. Workers considering a C&R should have an independent assessment of their future medical needs because once signed and approved, there is no mechanism to reopen for additional benefits.
Pennsylvania's schedule under 77 P.S. Section 513 assigns 410 weeks for both arm and leg, 335 for hand, 275 for eye, and 100 for thumb. These are among the highest in the country and reflect PA's historically strong labor protection framework. Higher schedule weeks mean larger total PPD awards for the same percentage of loss compared to most other states.
For the first 90 days of treatment, the injured worker must treat with a provider from the employer's designated list of at least 6 physicians. After 90 days, the worker may switch to any licensed physician of their choice, though the employer is only obligated to pay if the treatment is reasonable and necessary.
A C&R agreement closes the workers comp claim entirely. The worker receives a lump sum and gives up all future rights to indemnity and medical benefits for that injury. A Workers Compensation Judge must approve the C&R after ensuring the claimant understands the consequences.
Pennsylvania has a 7-day waiting period. No wage-loss benefits are paid for the first 7 days of disability. If disability extends beyond 14 days, the first 7 days are paid retroactively.
TTD is paid at 66 2/3% of the pre-injury average weekly wage, subject to a maximum that equals 100% of the statewide average weekly wage. The SAWW changes annually. Verify the current maximum at the PA Department of Labor and Industry.
Under 77 P.S. Section 315, a claim must be filed within 3 years of the date of injury. Notice to the employer should be given within 120 days, though failure to give timely notice does not automatically bar the claim if the employer had actual knowledge.
PA uses the binaural hearing formula from AMA Impairment Guides. Compensation for occupational noise-induced hearing loss can be up to 260 weeks. No benefits are awarded if impairment is 10% or less under the binaural formula. Impairment at or above 75% is presumed total hearing loss.
No. Operated by Mustafa Bilgic, non-attorney individual operator. Educational research only. Consult a licensed Pennsylvania workers compensation attorney.