Lawyer for Pennsylvania Act 534 Claims
What is The Act 534 Benefit?
Act 534 benefits aka “Act 534/632” applies to an employee of a state penal or correctional institution under the Bureau of Corrections of the Department of Justice and any employee of a state mental hospital or Youth Development Center under the Department of Public Welfare, who is injured by the act of an inmate or person who has been committed to the institution, or an employee of the Department of Public Welfare who volunteers for the firefighting force and is injured while carrying out firefighting duties, etc.
Who is Covered Under Act 534?
Under Pennsylvania Act 534, all the workers of state hospitals, youth development centers, department of human service, state centers, Pennsylvania penal and correctional institutions, and mental hospitals are covered in case of an injury at work.
The Pennsylvania Heart and Lung Act cover enforcement officers employed by the state police department, correctional centers, law enforcement agencies, investigation firms, judiciary, and more.
What is the Criteria to Receive Benefits?
You may have a Pennsylvania Work Comp claim but not an Act 534 or Heart & Lung Act claim. For a Heart and Lung claim to be available, the injury must occur during the performance of one’s duties. Under Act 534, the injury must be due to “an act of any inmate or any person confined in such institution.”
How Much Can You Get from Act 534 Benefits?
An employee or injured worker eligible for Act 534 or Heart and Lung compensation is entitled to full, base salary. The employer pays the salary. Workers’ Comp benefits that may be payable are either paid directly to the employer by the insurer or must be turned over by the injured worker to the employer (i.e., State).
Can You Receive Benefits From Act 534 (Heart and Lung Benefits) at the Same Time as Workmens’ Comp?
Yes, you can receive your Heart and Lung or Act 534 benefits and PA work comp benefits at the same time. The work comp carrier will pay the state what is owed in work comp (2/3 wage loss) while the injured worker receives full salary.
What to Do if Your Act 534 Claim is Denied
You have the right to a “Due Process” hearing. If you are covered under the Heart and Lung Act or Act 534, you are entitled to a due process hearing if your benefits are denied or prior to any termination of benefits.
