Temporary Total Disability benefits may end because of the passage of time, because of a decision you make, or because the insurer believes you are not doing enough to return to work. This article summarizes the various reasons your benefits may end.
As discussed in the previous blog, Temporary Total Disability (TTD) benefits compensate you if you cannot work at all for a length of time because of a workplace injury. These benefits last for a maximum of 130 weeks for injuries that occurred on October 1, 2008 or later.
Temporary Total Disability benefits will end due to the passage of time, in some cases. If you receive 130 weeks of benefits and are not in a retraining program, the TTD benefits will end. If you do take a retraining program and 90 days pass after the program ends, your TTD benefits will end. TTD benefits also end 90 days after you receive notification that your have reached maximum medical improvement, or immediately after you are released to return to work with or without restrictions. Upon return to work, you must notify the insurer right away.
TTD benefits will end if you make certain life decisions while receiving benefits. If you decide to withdraw from the labor market even though you are able to work with or without restrictions, you are no longer eligible for benefits. If you decide to retire for reasons other than your workplace injury, you are no longer eligible for benefits.
The insurer may decide to end your TTD benefits as well. Once you are released by your doctor to return to work, the insurer expects that you will (a) return to your pre-injury job or (b) find another job if your pre-injury employer cannot accommodate your restrictions. To continue receiving benefits while able to work, even with restrictions, you must diligently search for appropriate jobs. If you are offered a job that you can perform within your restrictions, a refusal to take the job could result in termination of benefits. If you fail to diligently search for jobs, the insurance company could decide to terminate benefits as well.
People receiving TTD benefits who have been searching for jobs, who are having trouble finding an appropriate job, and who receive notice that the insurer is terminating benefits should consider contacting an attorney. The insurance company must give you notice in writing before ending your Temporary Total Disability benefits. The next blog will discuss the notification you must receive before benefits are terminated.
Need help getting workers’ compensation benefits for your injury? Joe Osterbauer, Esq. and the Osterbauer Law Firm stand up for injured Minnesota workers’ rights. Joe’s 27 years of workers’ compensation experience and his team’s speedy service combine to get clients the results they need. To schedule a free consultation, visit Osterbauer Law Firm online or call Joe’s office at (612) 334-3434.
