For most who get up and go to work each day it is hard to imagine something happening there that might make it impossible to work for a period of time.  In addition to concerns regarding one's condition, worries about potential financial hardship is also scary to think about. Fortunately, most employers in the state of Pennsylvania are required to purchase workers' compensation policies so that injured or ill employees can apply for benefits. Though the requirement that businesses purchase the policies makes benefits potentially available, it does not guarantee that an injured worker will receive them. In cases where the benefits are not immediately granted, injured workers may pursue an appeal.

Recently the Commonwealth Court made a ruling in one of these cases.

The woman seeking workers' compensation was injured when she took care of her son, while living with him, under a state-paid contract. The 33-year-old man stabbed the woman in her chest and throat repeatedly, with a 12-inch kitchen knife. The incident came to a close after the woman's husband stepped in.

Following the incident the woman said she suffered from psychological and physical injuries and applied for workers' compensation benefits. That request was granted and the woman was awarded $460 a week. After that decision was reversed by the state Workers' Compensation Appeal Board, on the basis that the injury was not work-related, she followed up in the Commonwealth Court. In making its recent decision in favor of the woman, it cited the fact that as a part of her job she was required to live with her son.

The road to securing workers' compensation benefits is not always a smooth one. When the benefits are granted however, most workers likely feel that the effort is worth it.

Source: PennLive, "Woman stabbed by own son must get workers comp, Pa. court says," Matt Miller, Jan. 8, 2014