Act 534/632 provides extra benefits for certain employees who are injured by a resident, patient, or inmate. Normally, Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation only provides ⅔ of average earnings and it does not compensate or cover pensions or annual leave. Like the Heart & Lung Act, Act 534/632 covers 100% of your lost wages. Unlike the Heart & Lung Act, which only applies to temporary injuries, Act 534/632 can exist for as long as the injury persists.

How Act 534/632 Benefits Affect Injured Workers in Pennsylvania

Act 632 covers employees of the State Penal or corrections institutes. Two years later, Act 534 amended Act 632 to include employees of State mental hospitals, Youth Development Centers, and County Boards of Assistance. As with the Heart & Lung Act, injured workers are entitled to 100% of their full salary. It also maintains regular employment status, protecting your full benefit and pension contributions. All medical costs are paid by the Commonwealth of PA.

Public Service Workers Covered by Act 534/632

Persons covered by Act 534/632 include:

  • Employees of State penal and correctional institutions
  • Employees of State mental hospitals
  • Employees of Youth Development Centers
  • Employees of County Boards of Assistance
  • Under certain conditions, other employees of the Department of Public Welfare.

Common Situations Where Act 534/632 Benefits Apply

Act 534/632 only applies to the employees listed above when an injury occurs at the hands of an inmate, resident, patient, or an applicant or recipient of public assistance benefits. The injury must have occurred while on duty.

Issues That Can Arise With Act 534/632 Benefits

Benefits can continue as long as you are ineligible to work, but sometimes the Commonwealth will seek to terminate benefits. Quatrini Law Group has represented injured State workers when their benefits are challenged by the Department of Human Services for Act 534 or the Department of Corrections for Act 632.

How Act 534/632 Benefits Work Alongside Workers’ Compensation

If you are eligible for benefits under Act 534/632, you receive 100% of your regular compensation – ⅔ will be paid from Workers’ Compensation and ⅓ will be paid by the Commonwealth. Another difference is that all of your attorneys fees under Act 534/632 are paid by the Commonwealth.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Act 534/632 Benefits

Who is covered in Pennsylvania under Act 534/632?

Act 534/632 covers employees of State penal and correctional institutions, State mental Hospitals, Youth Development Center, County Boards of Assistance, and under some circumstances, other employees of the Department of Public Welfare.

What benefits does Act 534/632 provide?

If you are injured in the line of duty by an inmate, patient, or resident, you are entitled to receive your full salary for the duration of your disability, rather than the partial wage replacement provided under workers’ compensation. Your regular employment status is also maintained, protecting your benefit and pension contributions.

Can my employer terminate my Act 534/632 benefits, and what can I do if they do?

Yes, your employer can seek to suspend or terminate your benefits. If your benefits are denied or discontinued and you believe the decision is wrong, you have the right to appeal. An attorney experienced in Act 534/632 cases can help you challenge the employer’s medical evidence, present your own medical testimony, and navigate the administrative and court proceedings necessary to protect your benefits.

Get Help With Act 534/632 Benefits in Pennsylvania

If you have been injured in the line of duty by an inmate, resident, or patient, contact Quatrini Law Group online or at 888-534-6016. Our consultations are free and we have offices in Greensburg, Latrobe, Pittsburgh, Altoona, Somerset, and Uniontown. If needed, we can come to you. Trust our team to help you through the process of getting the medical and monetary benefits you need to get well.