by the Compensation Law. In disputed cases, the injured employe
is informed of his rights under the law and in many cases is as-
sisted in filing the proper petition, so that his case may be heard by a
referee. Adjusters connected with the Bureau frequently represent
the claimants at the hearings before the referees and the Workmen’s
Compensation Board. Fatal cases are investigated by the Bureau's
adjusters to determine if there are any dependents who are entitled
to the payment of compensation. The Bureau also notifies Consular
Officers representing foreign countries, but who are located in this
sountry, in case of fatal accidents to any of their subjects in order
that they may determine if there are any non-resident alien de-
pendents who may be entitled to payments of compensation. All
petitions are filed with the Bureau at Harrisburg and the cases are
then referred to the referee for the district in which the accident
securred, or where the claimant resides, or to the Workmen’s Com-
pensation Board. When cases are disposed of by the referees, copies
of the decisions are mailed by the Bureau to the claimant and the
defendant in every case. If an appeal from the decision of the
referee is taken by either side, the case is referred to the Workmen's
Compensation Board. All petitions for lump sum payments are
referred to and disposed of bv the Board.
CASES ADJUSTED BY VOLUNTARY AGREEMENTS
In approximately 96 per cent of the cases in which compensation
is paid the payments are made voluntarily by agreement executed
by the injured employe and employer, or insurance carrier. These
agreements are carefully checked by the Bureau before being ap-
proved in order to determine whether the injured person is securing
the full benefit of the law. In every fatal case the amount of com-
pensation payable to dependents is calculated by the Bureau before
agreements are approved, thus fully protecting the interests of all
parties concerned. Cases in which disputes arise while compensa-
tion is being paid or where payments are arbitrarily discontinued
are frequently investigated by the adjusters connected with the
Bureau and assistance given in adjusting these cases. Receipts
covering all compensation payments are filed with the Bureau and
a final receipt is required when disability terminates and compen-
sation payments cease. The final receipt must give the date when
disability terminated, the total amount paid and the wage at which
the injured person returned to work. This information is required
in order that the Bureau may determine if the injured person has
received the full amount of compensation payable and whether there
is any liability on the part of the employer for the payment of com-
pensation for partial disability because of any loss in earning power
due to the accident. All applications for lump sum payments are
investigated to determine the merits of such claims. Assistance is
also frequently given in securing the appointment of guardians in
sases where compensation is payable to minor dependents.
An employe injured in the course of employment should notify
the employer or person in charge immediately after the accident.
The employer is required to furnish reasonable medical, surgical
and hospital services, medicines and supplies during the first 30 days
after disability begins. If the employer upon application made by