When you suffer a work-related injury or illness, workers' compensation provides benefits to help you recover and maintain financial stability while you're unable to work. Understanding the different types of benefits available can help you ensure you receive everything you're entitled to under your state's laws.
Medical Benefits
Medical benefits cover all reasonable and necessary medical treatment related to your workplace injury. This includes doctor visits, hospitalization, surgery, prescription medications, physical therapy, and medical equipment like crutches or wheelchairs. Your employer or their insurance carrier chooses the treating physician in most states, though some states allow workers to select their own doctors.
Medical benefits continue as long as treatment is medically necessary—there's typically no time limit or cap on medical expenses for work injuries. However, the insurance company may require utilization review to approve certain treatments or second opinions to verify medical necessity.
Temporary Disability Benefits
Temporary disability benefits replace a portion of your lost wages while you're recovering and unable to work. Most states pay approximately two-thirds of your average weekly wage, subject to minimum and maximum limits set by state law.
Temporary total disability (TTD) applies when you cannot work at all during recovery. Temporary partial disability (TPD) applies when you can work in a limited capacity but earn less than your pre-injury wages—you receive a percentage of the difference between your old and new earnings.
Permanent Disability Benefits
When you reach maximum medical improvement (MMI)—the point where your condition has stabilized and won't significantly improve with further treatment—you may be entitled to permanent disability benefits if you have lasting impairments.
Permanent partial disability (PPD) compensates you for permanent limitations that don't completely prevent you from working. Benefits are calculated based on the body part affected and the degree of impairment. Permanent total disability (PTD) applies when injuries prevent you from performing any gainful employment—PTD typically provides ongoing benefits for life.
Vocational Rehabilitation
Vocational rehabilitation helps injured workers return to suitable employment when they cannot return to their previous job. Benefits may include job retraining, education, resume assistance, job placement services, and sometimes tools or equipment needed for a new occupation. If your injury prevents you from returning to your former occupation, vocational rehabilitation can help you transition to new work.
Death Benefits
When a worker dies from a work-related injury or illness, death benefits provide compensation to surviving dependents. Benefits typically include funeral and burial expenses (up to a statutory limit) and ongoing payments to the surviving spouse and dependent children. Death benefits are usually calculated as a percentage of the deceased worker's average weekly wage and may continue until the spouse remarries or children reach adulthood.
Supplemental Job Displacement Benefits
Some states offer supplemental job displacement benefits in the form of vouchers for education or skill training when an injured worker has permanent restrictions and their employer doesn't offer modified or alternative work. These vouchers can typically be used for retraining at accredited schools or for licensing and certification fees.
How Benefits Are Calculated
Your average weekly wage (AWW) forms the basis for calculating most workers' comp benefits. This typically includes your regular wages, overtime, bonuses, and the value of benefits like employer-provided housing. Accurately calculating your AWW is crucial because it directly affects your benefit amounts.
Each state sets maximum and minimum weekly benefit rates, which are adjusted periodically. Even if two-thirds of your wages exceeds the maximum, you'll receive only the statutory maximum—making it important to understand your state's current limits.
When Benefits Begin
There's typically a waiting period of 3-7 days before disability benefits begin. If your disability extends beyond a certain period (often 14-21 days), you'll receive retroactive payment for the waiting period. Medical benefits, however, begin immediately—there's no waiting period for treatment.
Protecting Your Benefits
Report your injury to your employer immediately—most states require notification within 30 days, though some have shorter deadlines. Seek medical treatment promptly and follow your doctor's recommendations. Keep copies of all medical records, correspondence with the insurance company, and documentation of your wages.
If your claim is denied or your benefits are terminated prematurely, you have the right to appeal. Consulting with a workers' compensation attorney can help ensure you receive all benefits you're entitled to—most offer free consultations and work on contingency, meaning you pay nothing unless they recover benefits for you.