Workers’ compensation insurance provides benefits for employees if they get injured at work. Employees can file a claim to supplement their incomes and cover their medical bills.
The type of disability benefits available to employees depends on the severity of the injury and the anticipated recovery time.
Total and partial disability
Depending on the extent of the employees’ injuries, some may be able to return to work by performing modified duties before reaching full recovery. Employees who work in a limited capacity or less demanding positions might have to take a pay cut. Partial disability can provide additional income to supplement any lost wages until workers return to full duty.
On the contrary, if employees cannot return to work in any capacity, total disability can supplement their incomes by paying up to two-thirds of their salary.
Temporary or permanent benefits
Disability is also categorized by how long employees receive the benefits. Doctors overseeing patients’ care determine if and when employees are capable of returning to work. Many injuries are short-term, and employees recover enough to return to work in some capacity. These employees receive temporary disability that expires when they reach maximum medical improvement.
Sometimes injuries are so severe that employees do not fully recover and can receive permanent disability benefits. These payments provide supplemental income until employees reach age 72 and become eligible for retirement benefits.
Workers’ compensation provides long and short-term disability benefits for employees on a total or partial basis, ensuring all employees can support themselves despite their injuries.