Q: Does your employer have workers’ compensation insurance?

A: In most cases, Pennsylvania employers are required to carry workers’ compensation insurance. Although there are civil and criminal penalties available in cases where they fail to so and a worker gets injured, it certainly is better if you know that ahead of time. Too often I have had injured workers come to me to represent them only to learn after we file a Petition that the employer did not insure for these kinds of accidents. We can win these battles and then lose the war when we cannot collect the award made by the Judge. You can contact the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation for Pennsylvania directly to obtain information on whether your employer is covered and complying with the law at www.dli.state.pa.us.