Workers Compensation

THE SIX BASIC BENEFITS FOR WORKERS' COMPENSATION INJURIES

1. Medical Care
2. Temporary Disability Benefits
3. Permanent Disability Benefits
4. Supplemental Job Displacement Benefits (if your date of injury is in 2004 or later).
5. Vocational Rehabilitation (if your date of injury is before 2004)
6. Death Benefits

1. Medical care: Paid for by your employer to help you recover from an injury or illness caused by work. You employer must pay for all reasonable medical care necessary to cure or relieve the effects of your job injury. You can go to your own doctor if you have "pre-designated" that doctor with your employer before the injury. Otherwise, you can choose your own doctor after thirty days. Your employer must pay for all reasonable medical care related to your job injuries. I will see to it that you receive competent medical care for your work related injuries.

2. Temporary disability benefits: Payments if you lose wages because your injury prevents you from doing your usual job while recovering. Bi-weekly payments are made to you while your condition has not yet stabilized (become permanent and stationary). Currently, TD benefits pay 2/3 of your wages up to $986.69 per week while your medical condition has not yet stabilized. The amount you receive is dependant on your wages preceding the injury. If your claim is denied, I will vigorously contest any unreasonable denial requesting an immediate hearing if and when appropriate so you can get your just temporary disability benefits. I may advise you to apply for state disability benefits to keep the money coming in while we fight for your rights.

3. Permanent disability benefits: Payments if you don't recover completely and left with a permanent disability. Permanent disability benefits are dependant upon your permanent disability rating relating to your job injury. They range from $0 to 278,248.98 (99% disabled) or $986.69 per week for life (100% disabled). Doctors vary in issuing permanent disability ratings so it is very important to know the doctor's rating reputation before you submit to the examination. My job is to know the docor's reputation before he or she decides your fate and advise you accordingly.

4. Supplemental job displacement benefits (if your date of injury is in 2004 or later): Vouchers to help pay for retraining or skill enhancement if you don't recover completely and don't return to work for your employer. Instead of vocational rehabilitation, we now have (for injuries after 2004) a voucher system which pays you for retraining if you meet the eligibility requirements. The amounts the vouchers reimburse you for training vary from $4,000.00 to $10,000.00 depending your permanent disability rating.

5. Vocational rehabilitation (if your date of injury is before 2004): Job placement counseling and possibly retraining if you are unable to return to your old job and your employer doesn't offer other work.

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