right to workers’ compensation benefits under state law. But what types of benefits are available? Will the payments you receive cover the cost of medical care, or allow you to meet your financial obligations?
Income Replacement (Disability Coverage)
The benefit that most people think of when they have been hurt on the job is the disability payment, which is designed to compensate you for wages that you lose because of the injury or illness. As a general rule, your injury or illness will fall into one of four categories—it will be either temporary or permanent, and it will be either total or partial:
- A temporary partial disability will limit your ability to perform some, but not all of the duties of your job, and for a determinable period of time.
- A temporary total disability is one that keeps you from performing any aspect of your job, but one from which you are expected to make a complete recovery.
- A permanent partial disability is a condition from which you will not fully recover, but which only affects a portion of the duties you perform.
- A permanent total disability is an injury or illness that will not allow you to return to your current position in any capacity.
When you file a work comp claim, the insurance provider will make a determination, based on medical information, what type of injury or illness you have. If your claim is approved, you will be awarded benefits based on your level of compensation before your injury—most states look at the last 52 weeks average weekly wage. The benefit is usually 2/3rds of that amount, but is not taxable. The length of time you receive benefits will depend on the extent of your injury.
Medical Benefits
The medical benefits provided under most workers’ compensation laws customarily include hospitalization, as well as any procedure or test necessary to diagnose and treat your injury or illness. The laws vary from state to state, but many include doctor visits, medication, surgical procedures and costs of medical equipment.
Though many insurance companies cover non-traditional medical procedures, such as acupuncture or pain therapy, most workers’ compensation laws do not. The medical coverage under workers’ compensation does typically include benefits for rehabilitation or physical therapy, though.
Contact Aronberg, Kouser, Snyder & Lindemann, P. A., Attorneys at Law
Contact us by e-mail or call our office at 856-429-1700. Your initial consultation is free.
We take all workers’ compensation claims on a contingency basis. You won’t be charged any attorney fees unless we recover compensation for your losses.
Commitment | Experience | Results
Speak Your Mind