If you have suffered an injury while on the job, you are eligible to receive workers’ compensation benefits. Workers’ compensation includes medical benefits, which cover a portion of lost wages, and workers’ comp covers a portion of your lost wages. Usually, you are paid about two-thirds your regular salary. Whether you receive total disability or partial disability is dependent on the severity of your injury and your restrictions and limitations per the treating physician. Workers’ compensation will only accept the diagnosis and restrictions ordered by your treating physician, who is in the workers’ compensation network used by your employer. Differences In Total Disability And Partial Disability If you are receiving permanent total disability from workers’ compensation, you have been determined to be completely disabled because of your work-related illness or injury, so you can no longer work in the same capacity or the same job which you were trained to do. More often, claimants receive permanent partial disability. When someone receives permanent partial disability, he or she can continue in his or her regular line of work, but they are not able to do the job at full capacity or at the level they had done the job before. Common injuries that often lead to permanent partial disability include hearing damage and loss, carpal tunnel syndrome, back injuries, finger amputation, and vision damage. Determining The Severity Of Your Injury Your treating physician will perform tests to diagnose your injury. After treating your condition, it will be determined how you will be affected by the accident in long run. For example, if you are a machine operator and you lost a finger, you can still do your job, but you might be slower, and it will take you longer and your productivity will be impacted. However, if you lost your arm, you might not be able to return to operating that machine again. By evaluating those scenarios, your treating physician will be able to determine your disability rating, which then in turn, will be used by your employer and their workers’ compensation insurer to determine whether you are eligible for permanent total disability or permanent partial disability benefits because of your work-related injury. Consult With a Workers’ Compensation Attorney If you have suffered a workplace injury, you should consult with a workers’ compensation attorney. A workers’ compensation lawyer will investigate your accident and review the details of your case to determine if you are eligible for permanent total disability or partial total disability benefits. Your attorney will aggressively pursue your claim, helping you access the benefits that you need. Because workers’ compensation lawyers work on a contingency basis, you have nothing to lose. Complete the Free Case Evaluation Form on this page to have a workers’ comp lawyer in your state to go over your case and determine the best way to proceed with your accident injury claim. A statute of limitations applies, so time is of the essence. Waiting too long could cost you benefits. Additional Resources Can I Include Ambulance Bills in My Workers’ Comp Claim? Workers' Compensation Claims by Injury
