If you were injured while on the job, you have probably been inundated with phone calls from your boss, your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance company, and maybe even medical care providers. All of these parties want to know exactly what happened that caused your injury (or injuries), how it happened, and if you had any injuries or conditions prior to the work incident. Everyone wants to know about your diagnosis and prognosis, and especially when you will be back to work.
Some of the terms that you may hear during these conversations and interviews include the following: “permanent partial disability,” “permanent total disability,” and “temporary total disability.” In the realm of workers’ compensation, your injury falls into one of these categories, and it is important to get a handle on what each category entails. Here is a quick guide to the different types of disabilities that workers suffer with on-the-job injuries.
Permanent Partial Disability
Permanent partial disability (PPD) benefits are paid to people who are not totally disabled but who have some type of lasting impairment. In some cases, the disability may preclude an employee from returning to work or require an employee to resume modified or lower-paying work. PPDs are generally long-lasting conditions, and are the most common type of workers’ compensation injuries.
Permanent Total Disability
Any type of disability that prevents you from working at all – on a permanent basis – is considered a permanent total disability (PTD). If you can work to some degree, even if it is not at your former job or even in your former industry, the powers that be will not classify your disability as a total disability. Permanent total disability cases are sometimes very difficult to prove if not completely obvious (such as loss of limbs, paralysis, loss of eye, etc.) You and your workers’ compensation attorney will need to gather very extensive and persuasive medical evidence to demonstrate that your work injury has caused your inability to work at all.
Temporary Total Disability
TTD is a disability that prevents you from working at all – but only for a limited period of time. In these cases, injured workers often will adapt to their total disabilities and learn new ways to re-enter the workforce.
Contact Us Today
If you are unable to work, or cannot earn as much as you used to because of a disability, you may be entitled to compensation. It is important to seek experienced legal help as soon as possible, since filing a claim takes time and certain deadlines must be followed. Workers’ compensation benefits are great, but you must ensure that you receive the benefits to which you are entitled. To learn more about compensation and benefits for disabilities, contact us at Petro Cohen, P.C. for a free phone consultation.
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