Workers’ compensation benefits give injured workers the financial support they need to cover medical costs and lost wages while they are suffering from the effects of their work-related injuries. The amount of time you are eligible to receive benefits and the amount of money you may receive benefits will vary based upon the specific circumstances of your case. The Osterbauer Law Firm is here to help you obtain the workers’ comp benefits you deserve if you have sustained an on-the-job injury.
Wage Loss Benefits
There are three types of wage loss benefits available to injured workers. Which benefit you are entitled to will vary based upon the nature and extent of your injury and your ability to earn income. It may also vary based upon when your injury occurred.
1. Temporary Total Disability (TTD) Benefits
Injured workers may be eligible to receive temporary total disability benefits when they are unable to work due to injuries they sustained on the job. To be eligible for these benefits, you must be unable to return to your date of injury job or another position because of the restrictions limiting your ability to work.
2. Temporary Partial Disability (TPD) Benefits
Injured workers may be eligible to receive temporary partial disability benefits if they have returned to work since the time of their injury but are earning less money than they had been prior to the work injury.
3. Permanent Total Disability (PTD) Benefits
Injured workers may be eligible to receive to receive permanent total disability benefits if they have a disability that results in their inability to return to work and earn a steady wage.
Medical Benefits
The employer and/or insurance company are responsible for paying any and all medical bills and expenses for reasonable and necessary medical care. Medical care can include hospitalization, surgery, chronic pain management, and physical therapy, and more. The employer and/or insurer is also responsible for paying your parking and mileage expenses, for traveling to and from your medical appointments.
Rehabilitation Benefits
If an injured worker is deemed a “qualified employee” he or she may be eligible to receive services from a Qualified Rehabilitation Specialized or “QRC.” A QRC helps employees manage their medical care, restrictions and appointments and keep all parties appraised of the employee’s condition. In addition, in an injured worker is unable to return to his or her date of injury employer, a QRC will provide vocational services, such as assistance with job search, interview training, and more.
Retraining Benefits
If an injured worker is unable to return to his or her date of injury occupation and is working at a wage loss, he or she may be eligible to receive retraining benefits. The idea underlying retraining benefits is to offer the injured worker the opportunity for additional education or training to return him or her to suitable, gainful employment.
At the Osterbauer Law Firm, we can help you obtain the workers’ compensation benefits you are owed after sustaining a work-related injury. To arrange a free consultation on your case, give us a call today at 612.334.3434 or fill out our contact form.
