Special Alert – Governor Wolf Suspends Parts of Section 413 of the Workers’ Compensation Act

As part of his ongoing effort to reduce the effects of the COVID-19 virus on Pennsylvania’s workers’ compensation system, Governor Wolf recently announced he was suspending parts of Section 413 of the Act. The changes allow for insurers seeking to suspend or modify benefits after a claimant’s return to work to file the Notification of Suspension/Modification form without including a signed and notarized affidavit, which is normally required.

This is the only aspect of the Section that has been altered. Insurers remain obligated to comply with the remainder of the Section by mailing the Notification form to the claimant within seven days of the date compensation has been suspended or modified. A claimant may still contest a suspension or modification of benefits provided a challenge is requested on the form and that it is filed within 21 days of receipt of the form from the insurer.

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