Workers’ compensation laws in Missouri require that employers pay for medical treatment for injuries sustained by workers while they are at work, but there is a lot more to workers’ compensation than just having your medical bills paid by your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance instead of your own health insurance. If your workplace injury leaves you temporarily or permanently unable to work, then workers’ compensation can give you payments equivalent to all or some of the money you would earn if you were working. If you have not received any payment for lost wages in connection with your workers’ compensation claim, a workers’ compensation lawyer can help you decide which steps to take next.
Disability Payments for Injured Workers
Which types of compensation for lost wages you can receive for your injury depends on the severity of the injury and on how long it will be before you can return to work. These are the different types of compensation that can help support you while you are unable to work or unable to perform all of your job duties.
- Temporary Total Disability (TTD) – You are entitled to this kind of disability compensation if your injury entails a finite recovery period during which you will be completely unable to work. The amount you receive is two-thirds of your weekly wage or 105 percent of the state average weekly wage, whichever is less.
- Permanent Total Disability (PTD) – This type of disability compensation is for workers who are so seriously injured that they are not expected ever to be able to return to work. As with TTD, the amount of PPD is two-thirds of the wage the injured worker was earning at the time of the injury or diagnosis or 105 percent of the state average weekly wage, whichever is less.
- Permanent Partial Disability (PPD) – This type of compensation is for workers who are still able to perform some of their job duties but will, in all likelihood, never again be able to do the more physically demanding aspects of their jobs. The maximum amount of PPD is two-thirds of your weekly wage or 55 percent of the state average weekly wage, whichever is less.
- Temporary Partial Disability (TPD) – You are entitled to this type of compensation if you can still perform some of your job duties, but you must refrain from physical exertion for a set period while you recover from your injuries. You can continue to received TPD until your doctor determines that you are well enough to resume your full work responsibilities. The amount of TPD is equal to two-thirds of your weekly wage.
Contact Walton Telken, LLC About Workers’ Compensation Cases
In workers’ compensation cases, straightening out the medical bills is just the beginning; the worst part is the financial insecurity of being unable to perform some or all of your work duties. If your employer has not paid you the compensation you are owed, a workers’ compensation lawsuit is the logical next step. Contact Walton Telken, LLC in St. Louis and Kirkwood for a consultation about your case.
