Most employers in Pennsylvania are required to carry insurance that covers expenses related to an accident that leaves an employee injured. These policies, called Pennsylvania workers’ compensation coverage, once allowed doctors providing treatment to dispense medications to patients, but a new law that went into effect will change that.

The Pennsylvania House of Representatives recently passed a piece of legislation that will limit the amount of medication that can be dispensed to patients seeking treatment through Pennsylvania workers’ compensation claims. According to an article from insurancenewsnet.com, Act 184 would limit the amount of time in which a doctor can give medication to a workers’ compensation patient to 30 days. It would also place a seven-day limit on a doctor’s ability to hand out Schedule II and III medications. The only exception would be a 15-day extension if a patient requires surgery. The new law prohibits doctors from giving patients over-the-counter drugs and places a cap on medication costs as well.

Experts say the move will not only reduce the number of drug injuries in the state that are a result of misuse and medication errors, but would also effectively slash prescription costs in the state by 15 percent, while also saving employers an estimated $33 million each year.

At Lundy Law, we understand the struggles injured workers face and that’s why our Philadelphia personal injury lawyers are hopeful the new law is successful in better protecting the health and safety of employees who are hurt in our state.