JENKINTOWN PERSONAL INJURY ATTORNEYS

The Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Act provides for the payment of reasonable and necessary medical benefits which are related to an injury sustained on the job. One question that is frequently asked of our Philadelphia Workers’ Compensation Attorneys is whether an employee can be reimbursed for travel expenses incurred obtain medical treatment?

In most situations, travel expenses are not reimbursable. If the medical treatment is local to the employee, then the employer and/or insurance company is not liable for travel expenses. If the employee chooses to treat with a non-local medical provider, then the travel expenses are still not reimbursable unless the particular treatment cannot be provided locally.

The definition of “local” is subject to debate but in one reported decision, Holly v. WCAB (Lutheran Home), the Court held that travel over 100 miles one-way not considered local.

The Workers’ Compensation Lawyers at Mednick, Mezyk & Kredo, have been successful in obtaining transportation expenses for clients who undergo a procedure that does not allow them to drive afterwards, such as epidural steroid injections. A physician’s note is usually required.