WORKERS’ COMP FOR LOST WAGES

The Law Offices Of Adam Baron Advocates for Injured Employees in Florida

When we go to our jobs each day, the last thing we expect is to suffer severe and debilitating injuries. Unfortunately, employees can experience significant harm as the result of unsafe working conditions.

Fortunately, the workers’ compensation system provides a way for injured individuals to receive benefits that reimburse them not only for their medical expenses but also for the wages they lose as a result of their harm. Dedicated workers’ compensation lawyer Adam Baron has helped many employees in Coral Springs, Naples, and elsewhere in South Florida file claims and seek the workers’ compensation benefits that they need.

Asserting Your Right to Reimbursement for Lost Wages

The first step in recovering reimbursement in a workers’ compensation case is to file a claim with your employer. It is important to take action to pursue the full scope of benefits available to you for your injuries as soon as you think that you have suffered a work-related accident or illness. After receiving your claim, your employer’s workers’ compensation insurer will likely speak with you and request that you see an agreed-upon physician for an examination. Based on the examination, the insurer will determine the nature and extent of your injuries.

How Much Does Workers’ Comp Pay for Lost Wages?

Before awarding you benefits, the workers’ compensation insurer will determine the severity of your harm. There are two factors that the insurer will consider. First, it will determine whether your injury is temporary or permanent.

• Wages for Temporary Injuries – If an injury will heal in time, allowing you to return to work, your benefits award will be limited to the time you were healing.
• Wages for Permanent Injuries – If the injury is permanent, your benefits will last for a considerably longer period in order to compensate you for your inability to return to work.

Wage Reimbursement for Total vs. Partial Disability

The second factor looks at whether your injury is partial or total. In other words, it addresses whether the injury affects only a certain portion of your body and wellbeing or whether the injury affects your whole body.

Wages for Temporary Total Disability – If the insurer determines that you have a temporary total disability (TTD), you are entitled to lost wages in the amount of 2/3 of the weekly wage you received at the time of the injury, plus an allowance for any dependents.

Wages for Temporary Partial Disability – Benefits for a temporary partial disability (TPD) will be provided if you are working reduced hours or at a reduced wage due to your harm. Your benefits payment is calculated by taking the difference between the weekly wage you received at the time of the injury and the reduced wage you receive while in a TPD period.

Wages for Permanent Partial Disability – For a permanent partial disability (PPD), the injured worker will receive reimbursement for having suffered a loss of physical function. Benefits may be available in monthly installments or in a lump sum amount.

Wages for Permanent Total Disability – A permanent total disability (PTD) is the most severe type of injury in the workers’ compensation system. Benefits are paid in the amount of two-thirds of the average wages paid each week, plus an allowance for any dependents.

Call an Experienced Work Injury Lawyer in Coral Springs