Workers’ Comp Benefits and Classifications
July 26, 2024
Key Benefits Under Workers’ Compensation
If you’ve been injured on the job, understanding the benefits you’re entitled to under a Buffalo, NY workers’ comp claim can be crucial in ensuring you receive the support and compensation you need. We’re committed to helping our clients navigate the complexities of workers’ compensation and ensuring they understand their entitlements. Workers’ compensation is designed to provide a range of benefits to employees who suffer work-related injuries or illnesses. These benefits typically include:
- Medical Benefits: Medical benefits include coverage for all necessary medical treatment related to your work injury. This also includes doctor visits, hospital stays, medications, and medical equipment and may cover the cost of travel to and from medical appointments.
- Disability Benefits: Disability benefits ompensation for lost wages if you’re unable to work due to your injury.
- Rehabilitation Benefits: Rehabilitation benefits cover vocational rehabilitation if you need to retrain for a different job due to your injury. This may include physical therapy and other forms of rehabilitation.
- Death Benefits: Death benefits are provided to the dependents of a worker who dies from a job-related injury or illness. This includes a portion of the deceased worker’s wages and may cover funeral expenses.
Disability Classifications
In Workers’ Compensation systems, cash benefits for injured workers are typically determined based on the extent of the injury and its impact on the worker’s ability to perform their job. The disability classifications used to determine these benefits can vary by jurisdiction, but they often include the following categories:
- Temporary Total Disability (TTD): Workers who are temporarily unable to work due to a workplace injury or illness may be classified as having a temporary total disability. They are typically entitled to receive a portion of their pre-injury wages as compensation until they are medically cleared to return to work.
- Temporary Partial Disability (TPD): If a worker can return to work in a limited capacity or with restrictions due to their injury, they may be classified as having a temporary partial disability. In such cases, they may receive a partial wage replacement to make up for the difference in earnings.
- Permanent Total Disability (PTD): Workers who sustain severe injuries or illnesses that permanently prevent them from performing any gainful employment may be classified as having a permanent total disability. These individuals may receive ongoing cash benefits for the remainder of their lives.
- Permanent Partial Disability (PPD): When a worker sustains a permanent injury or impairment but can still work in some capacity, they may be classified as having a permanent partial disability. The specific benefits and duration of payments vary depending on the severity and type of impairment, often determined by a medical evaluation.
- Scheduled Loss of Use (SLU): Some jurisdictions use a “scheduled loss of use” system for specific body parts, such as limbs or extremities. If a worker experiences a permanent loss of use or impairment of one of these body parts due to a workplace injury, they may be entitled to benefits based on a predetermined schedule.
- Non-Scheduled Loss of Use (NSLU): This category covers permanent impairments or disabilities that do not fit within the scheduled loss of use system. NSLU benefits are typically determined based on the extent of the impairment, age, and earning capacity of the injured worker.
Contact Our Workers’ Comp Lawyer Today
If you’ve suffered a work-related injury, it’s important to seek professional legal help to ensure you get the full benefits you deserve. We encourage you to reach out to us at Hurwitz, Whitcher, & Molloy for guidance and support. Our team of expert Workers Comp Lawyers in Buffalo, NY, positions us to advocate effectively on your behalf.
