When an employee gets hurt on the job, receiving workers’ compensation benefits can be quite helpful. This award may be essential to relieving financial and physical strain.
If you or a loved one are looking to receive such benefits, it is important to understand which workers’ compensation you qualify for because it determines how much compensation you will receive. There are three main types of workers’ compensation, and each has its own calculation method.
Temporary disability
Temporary disability looks at an employee’s payment level before the incident and pays a percentage of that amount. The administration provides the benefit once an employee has been out of work for three days and keeps paying until an individual reaches the maximum medical improvement level. At that point, depending on the individual’s condition, it may be possible to qualify for a type of permanent disability.
Permanent partial disability
Once a worker reaches the maximum medical improvement level, the physician evaluates the condition. If the individual still has a level of impairment that prevents complete function, the doctor provides a total body impairment rating. The percentage coincides with an amount on the compensation schedule, which ranges from $750 to $515,000. The benefit may be paid in a lump sum or spread out over time.
Permanent total disability
If a physician finds an injured employee to be permanently disabled, permanent total disability may be available, even if the individual returns to work. For those able to go back to work, there are specific thresholds in place to ensure the fair distribution of this benefit. Those who qualify receive two-thirds of the average amount of their weekly pay.
These are the main workers’ compensation benefits; however, there are additional assistance options available to disabled workers. The Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry provides a full list of benefits and their details. If you suffer from a work-related injury, make sure you fully understand your options for financial compensation.