If a worker wishes to receive income benefits after an on-the-job accident, they must fulfill certain requirements. For instance, worker’s compensation laws define the disabilities that could make a person eligible for income benefits. These conditions fall into the two categories of temporary total disabilities and permanent partial disabilities.
After a serious injury while at work, consult a knowledgeable worker’s compensation lawyer to learn what benefits may be available in your case. The legal team at Smith Hulsey could explain the various disabilities in Winder worker’s compensation claims and help you pursue the compensation that you are entitled to.
There are two scenarios in which an injured person can receive worker’s compensation benefits. If a person is deemed completely disabled and unable to perform their job duties after a workplace accident, they may be entitled to receive temporary total disability income benefit.
Alternatively, an injured worker could receive income benefits if they have work restrictions that their employer cannot accommodate. For instance, if the worker is placed on a five-pound weight restriction, the employer must pay income benefits as long as they are unable to accommodate that restriction.
Temporary total disability is when an authorized treating physician has taken an employee completely out of work. This means that the person is totally disabled or cannot do work of any type.
Our experienced lawyers have helped Winder residents claim temporary total disability benefits for various types of injuries. Common conditions that fall under this category include but are not limited to:
Additionally, a person with any type of injury that requires a surgical procedure or that results from repetitive, laborious work is often eligible for temporary total disability benefits.
Permanent partial disability is another income benefit that an injured worker can receive. In workers’ comp, each body part has a percentage and monetary value prescribed to it. When a worker injures a particular body part and seeks income benefits, they will be given a permanent partial disability (PPD) rating. There are a certain number of weeks that a person can receive benefits depending on their rating and which body part is injured.
For instance, there is a maximum of 225 weeks of income benefits given to upper extremities. If someone has a rotator cuff tear and has to have surgery on their shoulder, their PPD rating will be applied to that maximum of 225 weeks. For a 10% rating, the person can receive income benefits for 10% of 225, or 22.5 weeks.
When it comes to assessing a disability for worker’s comp benefits in Winder, it is crucial to work with a skilled attorney. An injured worker does not have to accept the first PPD rating that they receive. An experienced local attorney could conduct different types of functional capacity evaluations and independent medical assessments to ensure that a person is given an accurate rating for their disability.
When a person has permanent restrictions due to a work-related disability, there are two options. They can either draw benefits for the entire 400 weeks under the Workers’ Compensation Act, or a lawyer could help file for catastrophic designation. For the second option, an attorney at our Winder office could work with a vocational expert to pursue lifetime income and medical benefits for the permanently disabled person.
If you have suffered a serious job-related injury that prevents you from working, consult a knowledgeable attorney on what benefits may be available in your situation. The lawyers at Smith Hulsey could explain the types of disabilities in Winder worker’s compensation claims and help file the appropriate documents depending on your condition. Call us today to learn more about how we could help you.
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