One of the most pressing concerns for any injured worker is money. If you cannot work because of a job-related injury, how do you pay your bills? Florida’s workers’ compensation system provides wage replacement benefits, but the amount you receive and how long you can receive it depends on factors that are worth understanding before you need them.
Temporary Total Disability
If your injury prevents you from working at all, you may qualify for Temporary Total Disability benefits, or TTD. These payments equal 66 and two-thirds percent of your average weekly wage, calculated based on the 13 weeks before your injury. Benefits continue until you are released to return to work, reach Maximum Medical Improvement, or hit the 104-week cap.
Temporary Partial Disability
If you can work in a limited capacity but are earning less than 80 percent of your pre-injury wage, you may qualify for Temporary Partial Disability benefits, or TPD. These payments help bridge the gap between what you were earning before and what you are earning now. Like TTD, these benefits are subject to the 104-week limit.
The 104-Week Cap
Florida law caps most temporary wage benefits at 104 weeks. Once you reach that limit, benefits stop regardless of whether you have fully recovered. This is one reason why settling your case with a full understanding of your long-term medical needs is so important.
Permanent Impairment Benefits
If you are assigned a permanent impairment rating at Maximum Medical Improvement, you may be entitled to Permanent Impairment Income Benefits. The number of weeks of benefits you receive is tied to your impairment rating, which is calculated using a state-approved guide. These payments are also a fraction of your average weekly wage, and the formulas can be complex.
What the Insurance Company May Get Wrong
Carriers sometimes miscalculate your average weekly wage by using an incomplete picture of your earnings. Overtime, bonuses, tips, and multiple jobs can all factor into the correct calculation. If your benefits seem lower than they should be, that is worth investigating with an attorney.
William Heller Is Ready to Fight for You
Attorney William Heller has dedicated over 35 years to helping injured workers in South Florida receive the benefits they deserve. He is AV-rated since 2005, the highest distinction for professional excellence, and he is not afraid to go to trial when insurance companies refuse to do right by his clients.
You have nothing to lose and everything to gain by making the call. If you have been hurt at work, contact William Heller today for a free consultation at (954) 921-7171.