What Are the Four Types of Workers’ Compensation Benefits?

The four types of workers’ compensation benefits are medical, disability, rehabilitation, and death benefits for dependents.

Employers purchase workers’ compensation insurance policies to provide benefits for employees in the event of an injury at work. Your employer, as well as a Georgia workers’ compensation lawyer in your area, can explain what your plan covers and how you can receive a monetary recovery.

If you or a loved one were hurt at work, it’s vital to understand the different types of potential benefits available. What are the four types of workers’ compensation benefits? Find out below.

1. Medical Benefits for Your Treatment

When you are injured at work and file a workers’ compensation claim, you should receive compensation for your medical costs. These include:

• Doctor visits
• Hospital stays
• Medical tests
• Prescription medications
• Medical equipment, such as wheelchairs or crutches
• Physical therapy
• Mileage reimbursement for travel to and from doctor appointments

Any costs that result from your work-related injury should be covered through workers’ compensation. You should be covered until you are fully recovered and able to return to work. However, you will need to see the right medical provider to qualify for compensation.

Choosing From the Provider Network

In Georgia, your employer must provide a list of “at least six physicians or professional associations or corporations of physicians” for you to choose from for medical care.

The doctors or other providers in this network typically contract with the employer or insurance company to provide discounted services.

These providers must also be reasonably accessible to you. You also have the option to make one change between physicians as long as they are still covered under your employer’s policy.

2. Disability Benefits Through Workers’ Compensation

If your injury affects your ability to work, you may be eligible for disability benefits through workers’ compensation. These benefits typically fall into one of four different categories:

Temporary Total Disability

Many injured workers can receive temporary total disability for a certain time. In Georgia, you must be unable to return to work for at least seven days to qualify for temporary total disability payments.

If you are away from work for at least 21 consecutive days, you will also receive payment for the first seven days you are away.

Temporary total disability benefits equal two-thirds of the average weekly wage you were earning before your work injury (capped at $675 per week). You also can’t receive these benefits for over 400 weeks unless you have a catastrophic injury.

Temporary Partial Disability

Sometimes, you are still able to work after a work-related injury, but at a lower capacity. You might have to work fewer hours, take on a less demanding role, or earn a lower wage because of your work injuries. If this happens, you can receive temporary partial disability benefits.

Temporary partial disability benefits are paid at two-thirds of the difference between the average weekly wage you were making before and the average weekly wage you can now earn. This number cannot exceed $450 per week. It can also only be paid for up to 350 weeks from the date you were injured.

Permanent Total Disability

Under workers’ compensation, you should receive treatment until you’ve reached maximum medical improvement (MMI). At that point, the doctor treating you will evaluate your situation. If they determine you have a permanent disability, you will likely receive permanent total disability benefits.

Permanent total disability benefits are often paid at the same weekly rate as temporary total disability, but for life. In some situations, you might be able to get a lump sum settlement to account for your future payments.

Only very serious and severe injuries, such as loss of two limbs or total blindness, qualify for permanent total disability.

Permanent Partial Disability

Permanent partial disability payments are paid at the same as the temporary total disability rate for a certain amount of time. How long you will receive these benefits depends on:

• The body part that is disabled
• The percentage of disability for that body part
• The maximum number of weeks the state of Georgia allows benefits for that body part

A Georgia workers’ compensation attorney can help you determine what your benefits should be based on your disability.

3. Rehabilitation Benefits for Career Support

Your work injury might prevent you from returning to the same position or place of employment at all. If this happens, workers’ compensation benefits should help with vocational rehabilitation and other career support services.

Rehabilitation benefits are meant to help you maintain employment through the necessary training or other services needed to return to work.

4. Death Benefits for Dependents

No one wants to think about getting killed from a work injury. However, if it happens, it’s good to know that any dependents will be taken care of.

Workers’ comp provides death benefits to the deceased worker’s minor children, spouse, and other dependents they may have. These are provided at two-thirds of the worker’s average weekly wage before their accident.

Death benefits also cover funeral and burial expenses. For more information about comp death benefits, contact our workers’ comp attorneys today.

Understanding the Role of Compensation Policies and Insurers

A compensation insurance policy outlines the terms, policy period, and policy premium set by the compensation insurer or current insurer. The policy form and policy issuance define the coverage for workplace injuries, including benefits for an injured worker or a deceased worker’s family.

Business owners must understand the liability insurance policy details to ensure proper protection for their employees and business operations. Compensation insurance benefits are determined by factors like loss experience, prospective rating, and judgment rating.

These elements help set fair rates and identify the best policy term for a given type of worker or business environment. Staying compliant with the compensation insurance program helps employers and employees face job injury claims smoothly.

The Importance of Medical Providers and Authorized Care

After a work-related accident, injured workers must seek care from medical providers authorized by the compensation insurer. This ensures that medical expenses and medical treatment are covered.

Medical care, including treatment for severe injuries and long-term conditions, is a primary component of medical benefits offered to the injured employee. Authorized providers are responsible for keeping medical costs in check while delivering quality care.

If an injured worker sees an unauthorized provider, the insurance company may deny reimbursement for medical bills. Choosing the right medical provider is essential for accessing full compensation benefit coverage under the employer’s compensation policy.

Vocational Rehabilitation and Career Support for Injured Workers

When workplace injuries lead to a limited capacity to return to prior duties, vocational rehabilitation benefits become essential. These types of benefits include skill enhancement and support in learning new job skills to re-enter the workforce.

Vocational rehabilitation benefits are often necessary for injured workers with partial disability or permanent disability who cannot return to their former roles. A compensation lawyer can help injured employees access benefits for career support and ensure the compensation claim covers all rehabilitation benefits.

These services may include financial reimbursement for training during the policy term. With proper support, injured workers can regain independence and stability after a job injury.

Benefit Limitations Through Workers’ Compensation

Although workers’ compensation can help you get back on your feet, it doesn’t fully compensate you for what was lost. The wage benefits are only a portion of what you were making before, and the weekly cap can mean you are receiving a lot less than you were before at a high-paying job.

You also cannot collect for any pain and suffering that came along with your injuries. The advantage of workers’ compensation benefits is that you do not have to prove fault or pursue a lawsuit to get compensation.

This is meant to protect both you and your employer from expensive legal cases. That being said, workers’ comp is not perfect. You may run into issues with your employer or the insurance company. A workers’ compensation lawyer can help you seek the benefits you need and deserve after your work injury.

How Workers’ Compensation Is Calculated

You have a limited amount of time to file a workers’ compensation claim. Your attorney can work with this statute of limitations and help you calculate what you should be paid. Your workers’ compensation is calculated based on several factors, including:

• Class code: These are assigned by the National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) or your state. Each employee gets a unique code based on the type of work they do.
• Payroll: Business owners will need a certain amount of workers’ comp insurance based on every $100 of payroll.
• Experience modification number: This amount takes into consideration your business’s experience and loss history. The safer your business, the lower your experience modification number. These numbers can change based on state requirements.

Why Hire a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer From John Foy & Associates?

Hiring the right legal team can make a major difference in the outcome of your workers’ compensation claim. Here’s what you gain by choosing John Foy & Associates:

• Over 20 years of experience: Our firm has a long track record of success representing injured workers across Georgia.
• Skilled negotiators: We know how to stand up to insurance companies and fight for the full compensation you’re entitled to.
• Thorough case evaluation: We review every aspect of your situation to pursue all types of benefits available to you.
• Help with denied claims: If your compensation claim has been denied, we can handle the appeals process and fight for your rights.
• Access to trusted medical providers: We can help you get care from authorized providers who understand the documentation required for workers’ comp.
• Maximized financial recovery: Our goal is to recover everything you’re owed, including medical costs, weekly wages, and permanent disability benefits.
• Support through every step: From start to finish, we handle the paperwork, deadlines, and communication so you can focus on healing.

Talk to a Georgia Workers’ Compensation Lawyer for Free Today

John Foy & Associates has been helping injured workers get the benefits they need to cover medical expenses and more. We have extensive knowledge of workers’ compensation law. To get started, call us for your FREE consultation.

Whether you’re dealing with medical bills, lost weekly wages, or have questions about your claim, our experienced team is here to guide you every step of the way. We understand how overwhelming workplace injuries can be. Visit our FAQ page to learn more.