Educators and paraprofessionals play a vital role in our Southwestern Pennsylvania communities, shaping the future of students here and across the Commonwealth. But teaching isn’t without risks. From slips and falls in hallways to lifting or pulling injuries, to student related injuries, to stress-related conditions and repetitive injuries from long classroom hours, teachers and paraprofessionals can and do suffer workplace injuries.
If you or a loved one is a teacher or paraprofessional injured on the job, it’s important to understand how teachers workers’ compensation works in Pennsylvania so you can protect your health, livelihood, and financial stability.
Common Workplace Injuries for for Teachers, Paraprofessionals, and Education Professionals
According to the 2024 Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Annual Report, there were 6,873 reported workplace injuries among education service workers in Pennsylvania in 2024. This includes teachers, classroom aides, and other staff working in educational settings
The most common injuries among education professionals include:
- Slip, trip, and fall injuries in classrooms, hallways, and playgrounds.
- Back, neck, and shoulder strains from lifting supplies, moving desks, or helping students.
- Repetitive stress injuries from prolonged standing or typing.
- Student-related incidents, including bites, scratches, or other altercations.
- Exposure to illnesses in school environments.
- Stress-related conditions linked to workload and classroom demands.
Even seemingly minor injuries can keep an educator out of the classroom for weeks—or even end a teaching or paraprofessional career if untreated.
How How Teachers Workers’ Compensation Works in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania law requires school districts and most educational institutions to carry workers’ compensation insurance. Teachers, paraprofessionals and education professionals injured in the course of their employment may be entitled to:
- Medical benefits for treatment, medication, therapy, and hospital care.
- Wage-loss benefits if you cannot work or must work in a reduced capacity.
- Specific loss benefits if you lose the use of a body part (such as a finger, hand, or eye).
- Death benefits for surviving dependents in the event of a fatal injury.
Importantly, Pennsylvania workers’ compensation is a no-fault system. Teachers do not have to prove that the school district was negligent—only that the injury occurred in the course of employment.
Steps to Take After a Teaching Workplace Injury
- Report the injury immediately.
Notify your school administrator or supervisor right away. Pennsylvania law requires that you report your injury within 120 days, but the sooner the better.
- Seek medical attention.
Your district or institution may have a posted list of approved panel physicians. If all requirements are met, you may need to be treated by one of these providers for the first 90 days. Emergency treatment, however, should never be delayed.
- File a workers’ compensation claim.
Your employer is responsible for reporting the injury to its workers’ compensation insurance carrier, which will then decide whether to accept or deny the claim.
- Contact an experienced workers’ compensation attorney.
School-related injuries are sometimes minimized or challenged by insurers. An attorney like Mitch Dugan can help ensure your claim is properly documented, challenged if denied, and provides all the benefits you deserve.
What If Workers’ Compensation Claim Is Denied?
If your claim is denied or benefits are delayed:
- Contact an attorney immediately.
Experienced workers’ compensation lawyers like those at Dugan & Associates can fight for the benefits you deserve.
- File a claim petition.
This allows your case to be heard by a Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Judge.
- Prepare for the hearing.
You’ll need medical records, evidence of your injury, and sometimes testimony from doctors and vocational experts.
What if Your Workers’ Compensation Claim Was Accepted BUT There Are Additional Problems with the Insurance Carrier?
Even though your claim was accepted, the insurance carrier may schedule you for an exam with their doctor or a vocational expert. They may also try to force you back to work or even attempt to modify, suspend, or terminate your teachers workers' compensation benefits.
Below are four common occurrences injured teachers and paraprofessionals experience with worker’s compensation insurance carriers. In all four instances, you should consult with a workers’ compensation lawyer immediately.
- Insurance Medical Exams (IMEs) are when the insurance carrier wants you to be seen by one of their doctors in hopes their doctor will say you’ve recovered or can return to work at full duty or in some capacity
- Notice of Ability to Return to Work or Job Offer is when either your doctor or the insurance doctor releases you to return to work in some capacity and the insurance carrier attempts to stop or reduce your checks.
- Vocational Evaluations (VEs) occur when you are released to modified duty by either your doctor and/or the insurance carrier’s doctor and your employer can’t accommodate the restrictions. The insurance company then asserts there are other jobs you can perform to stop or reduce your workers’ compensation checks.
- Petitions to Modify, Suspend, or Terminate Benefits are when the insurance company attempts to reduce or stop your checks and/or medical benefits. These petitions are common but should be taken seriously.
Protecting Your Future as an Injured Teacher, Paraprofessional, or Other Education Professional
Recovering from an injury sustained while teaching and working as an education professional isn’t just about healing physically—it’s also about securing your family’s financial future. Teachers workers’ compensation benefits may cover:
- Medical treatment for injuries and related conditions.
- Lost wages during recovery.
- Ongoing benefits if you cannot return to full classroom duties.
- Vocational rehabilitation if your injuries prevent you from returning to teaching.
But keep in mind: insurance companies often challenge claims, schedule independent medical exams, or try to reduce your benefits as we highlighted earlier. Having strong legal representation can make the difference in whether you receive full compensation.
We Listen and Fight for for Teachers, Paraprofessionals, and Other Educational Professionals in Pennsylvania
At Dugan & Associates, we know the challenges teachers and paraprofessionals face both inside and outside the classroom. When you’re hurt on the job, navigating the workers’ compensation system can be stressful and overwhelming. That’s where we step in. We have decades of experience representing injured workers across Southwestern Pennsylvania. We understand the complexities of the workers’ compensation system and know how to maximize your benefits.
If you or a loved one is a teaching professional and was injured on the job, contact us today by completing the form below or calling us at 412-353-3572 to schedule a free consultation.
We listen and genuinely care about your well-being. If there is no recovery of compensation, there is no fee. Let us put our experience to work for you—always fighting for the check you deserve.
