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WorkersCompDeadline
Last verified May 4, 2026Verified statute

Pennsylvaniaworkers' comp filing deadline

Claim petition must be filed within 3 years after date of injury or death (Section 315, 77 P.S. §602). For continuous trauma (e.g., carpal tunnel), clock runs from last day of cumulative injury (typically last day of work). Section 315 is treated as a STATUTE OF REPOSE under Pennsylvania case law.

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Notice to employer

21d

Notice within 21 days of injury for full credit; absolute bar at 120 days unless employer had knowledge (Section 311, 77 P.S. §631)

Filing with the state

3yr

Claim petition must be filed within 3 years after date of injury or death (Section 315, 77 P.S. §602). For continuous trauma (e.g., carpal tunnel), clock runs from last day of cumulative injury (typically last day of work). Section 315 is treated as a STATUTE OF REPOSE under Pennsylvania case law.

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Last verified May 4, 2026

Exceptions and tolling

Statute-of-limitations rules have many exceptions that can extend or pause the clock. The most common in Pennsylvania:

  • Occupational disease — last exposure with repose

    For hearing loss and other cumulative claims, clock runs from last date of exposure or trauma. Section 315 functions as statute of repose, not subject to discovery-rule equitable extension in most circumstances.

  • Death claim deadline

    Survivors filing for death benefits typically have 3 years from date of death. This calculator does not yet handle death claims; consult a lawyer for those.

Attribution

Last verified
May 4, 2026
Editorial review
Statute linked to primary source
Primary source
https://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/LI/US/PDF/1915/0/0338..PDF