Settling a workers’ compensation case, shouldn’t cost you your job. Yet, some employers and insurers require claimants to sign side agreements forcing them to resign, preventing them from ever reapplying for work again or requiring confidentiality agreements to settle a claim.
 
Often insurers force these requirements on ready, willing and able employers.This is costing Pennsylvania nurses, teachers, firefighters, police, first responder and skilled trade workers while the Commonwealth is struggling to create incentives to fill such jobs.
 
My legislation would amend the Workers’ Compensation Act to prohibit employers from requiring such side agreements as a condition of a workers’ compensation settlement and would penalize employers and insurers if they are found to be in violation of this prohibition.
 
Pennsylvania workers deserve to be fairly compensated when hurt on the job. Injured workers face enough challenges without being forced into settlements that restrict their future ability to earn a livelihood, that throw away the value of their training, that restrict them in practicing their trades and that disqualifies them from filling much needed spots in the labor force.
 
I hope that you will join me in supporting these important worker protections.
 
 
 

Statutes/Laws affected:
Printer's No. 3501: P.L.736, No.338