Benefits Available to Injured Workers
Three categories of benefits are available to workers who are injured on their job. Expand the sections below to learn how they can help your particular claim.
Your employer is responsible for providing medical treatment through an insurance carrier which includes, but is not limited to, the following:
- An authorized primary doctor and specialist(s) when medically necessary.
- All authorized medically necessary care and treatment related to your injury such as:
- doctor’s visit
- hospitalization
- physical therapy
- medical tests
- prescription drugs
- prostheses
- attendant care
- Mileage reimbursement for travel to and from your authorized doctor and the pharmacy.
Helpful Hints:
- Report your injury or illness as quickly as possible to your employer. Your employer may authorize a doctor at the time of your accident, but the insurance carrier must authorize follow-up treatment.
- If your accident results in emergency treatment, be sure to tell the emergency room staff you hurt yourself on the job, and give them a contact name and phone number of your insurance carrier or your employer.
- Do not go on your own to your private doctor for treatment. The insurance carrier must authorize the doctor who is to treat you.
- If your employer or insurance carrier does not respond to your request for medical treatment, you can contact the Employee Assistance and Ombudsman Office for assistance at the number listed below.
- Do not skip appointments. This may cause your benefits to stop.
- If you are billed for medical treatment contact either your carrier or our office at the number listed below.
The rate, amount, and the duration of compensation for all disability types are detailed in the workers’ compensation law. The links below can help you determine which benefits you may be entitled to for your workplace injury.
Temporary Total Disability (TTD) - Cannot Work
Temporary Total disability (TT):
- If your doctor says you cannot work, because of your work-related injury or illness, you should receive money equaling 66 2/3% of your regular wages at the time you were hurt, subject to a statewide maximum reimbursement amount.
- You will not receive temporary disability benefits for the first 7 days of disability, unless you are disabled more than 21 days due to the work-related injury as determined by the authorized doctor.
- Certain severe injuries may entitle you to 80% of your regular wages for up to 6 months after the accident.
- For an estimate of your benefits, please click here.
You can receive up to a total of 104 weeks of temporary disability benefits.
Temporary Partial Disability (TPD) - Released To Restricted Duty
Temporary Partial disability (TP):
- When the doctor states you can return to work with restrictions, you may be eligible to receive Temporary Partial Disability Benefits if you are unable to earn 80% of the wages you were earning at the time of your accident.
- For an estimate of your benefits, please click here.
You can receive up to a total of 104 weeks of temporary disability benefits.
Impairment Income Benefits (IIB) - At Max Medical Improvement & Rating Assigned
Impairment Benefits (IB)
When your doctor states you are at Maximum Medical Improvement, your condition is not expected to improve significantly, and the doctor will have you evaluated for possible permanent work restrictions and an impairment rating.
- If you receive a permanent impairment rating greater than 0%, you will receive money based on that rating.
- For an estimate of your benefits, please click here.
Permanent Total Disability (PTD) - Can Never Work Again
If after reaching Maximum Medical Improvement your injuries are so severe, as defined by law, that you are left permanently unable to work, you may receive permanent total disability benefits.
For assistance in estimating PT benefits, please contact the Bureau of Monitoring and Audit at 850-413-1608.
If a work-related death occurs within one year of the date of accident or five years of continuous disability, the following benefits may be due and payable up to a maximum of $150,000:
- Funeral expenses up to $7,500
- Compensation to dependents, as defined by law
- Educational benefits to the surviving spouse