What Are the Types of Workers' Comp Benefits?
Workers' compensation is a beneficial part of any job that helps employers avoid costly legal battles and protect employees from the financial burden associated with workplace injuries or illnesses. Workers' comp benefits vary depending on the state, but there are some common types of workers' compensation benefits available to workers in most states.
These include medical treatment benefits, disability benefits, supplemental job displacement benefits, and death benefits related to workplace injuries or illnesses. In this article, we will take an in-depth look at each type of benefit and discuss how workers can access them should they be injured while working.
Workers' compensation and its benefits
Workers' compensation is a type of insurance that provides workers with financial benefits if they are injured or become ill as a result of their job. Its purpose is to provide workers with protection against the potentially high costs associated with workplace injuries or illnesses, and it can be used to help workers recover from an injury while providing them with access to necessary medical care.
The amount of workers' compensation benefits available depends on state laws, but in general, these benefits may cover medical expenses related to the injury or illness, disability payments for lost wages due to being unable to work as a result of the injury or illness, and possible death benefits if the worker passes away due to a workplace injury or illness.
Workers' comp is an important benefit for workers across all industries, as it offers workers a safety net in the event of a work-related injury or illness.
Types of workers' comp benefits
Medical Treatment Benefits
Medical treatment benefits are provided to workers who suffer injuries or illnesses related to their job. These benefits cover the costs of medical care, visits to specialists, medications, and more. In some cases, workers may be eligible for additional payments (known as “mileage”) for transportation to and from a medical appointment.
Disability benefits
Disability benefits provide workers with a source of income when they cannot work due to an injury or illness caused by their job. Disability benefits can be paid in one lump sum or over a period of time depending on the specifics of each individual worker’s case.
A portion of disability benefits is often set aside for vocational rehabilitation services so that workers can gain skills to increase employability upon returning to work after their disability ends. There are two types of disability benefits: temporary total disability and permanent total disability.
Temporary Total Disability
Usually lasting anywhere from several weeks to multiple months, Temporary Total Disability (TTD) helps injured workers financially while they recover and heal.
How are temporary disability benefits determined?
Your weekly benefit is set at two-thirds of your average wages each week. For those who earn a fixed salary, this amount will be calculated as two-thirds of the standard weekly salary. But if your income varies from one week to the next, then the total earnings over a twelve-month period will be calculated and you will be awarded two-thirds of that figure instead. Most claimants are eligible for benefits up to 104 weeks in duration.
Permanent Total Disability
If you have been injured on the job and are unable to fully recover, Permanent Total Disability (PTD) benefits may be a viable option for you. This form of compensation is designed to aid those who have sustained impairments that are not expected to improve over time.
How are permanent disability benefits determined?
When figuring out an injured worker's PTD rating, several criteria must be taken into account; namely medical records, the salary of the person when they were hurt, and their age in combination with the job. The law necessitates a health care provider to assess the employee’s PTD using rules from American Medical Association Guides. As PTD benefits are weekly payments, it is logical that as the disability percentage increases so will payment duration.
Supplemental job displacement benefits
Supplemental job displacement benefits are available to workers who suffer permanent disability as a result of their work-related injury or illness. These benefits provide workers with resources for career counseling and job training, as well as reimbursement for tuition fees and other educational expenses.
Death Benefits
Death benefits are provided to the surviving dependents of workers who lose their lives due to a work-related injury or illness. This type of benefit helps families cover funeral costs, loss of income, and other related expenses.
Workers’ comp benefits can be an important source of financial security during difficult times caused by workplace injuries or illnesses. It is important to remember that these types of benefits are not guaranteed, so if you need help filing a claim, please consider getting the help of highly skilled workers' comp specialists who can assist in filing in the most efficient way possible for your case. We hope that all workers remain safe while on the job but if you need help or have questions, please contact us.
Cole, Fisher, Cole, O’Keefe + Mahoney is Central California’s leading workers’ compensation and social security disability law firm. With over 30 years of successful experience, we are committed to securing maximum benefits for our clients in the Fresno, California area. Schedule a free consultation today.