If you work in an environment in which there is a high risk of suffering a catastrophic injury, you might have questions about the disability benefits that you may receive from the Connecticut workers’ compensation program if you suffer such an injury. This is a valid concern because it could affect your job, your social life and even routine tasks may become challenges.
Furthermore, you may require multiple surgeries and ongoing physical therapy, which will lead to not only mounting medical bills but also financial hardship due to the lack of income.
Workers’ compensation coverage for disabilities
If you suffer an injury that causes disability, the nature of the injury and the impact it has on your ability to work will determine the compensation that you will receive. The following are the different categories of disability benefits, and the typical compensation paid — based on your current wage and the level of your impairment, wage loss and loss of earning capacity:
- Temporary partial disability: An example is an arm or leg fracture that will only disable you to do your normal job, but still leave you able to do office work or something else while you recover. If the wages for this temporary job are lower than your normal wage, you will receive a portion of the shortfall.
- Temporary total disability: If you suffer a back injury or another injury that disables you completely for a specific period such as an eight-week period of no activity, your compensation for that period will be a percentage of your average weekly wage.
- Permanent partial disability: This type of injury causes a disability that renders you partially impaired without a chance of recovery. An example is occupational hearing loss, which is permanent but still allows you to continue working. A determining schedule indicates the period for which you will receive a portion of your average weekly wage.
- Permanent total disability: This is the worst-case scenario and involves an injury that prevents you from ever returning to your regular job. You will have to file a physician’s report with your employer’s insurance provider who will assess the report and determine whether you are eligible for lifetime benefits, or for a specified alternative period.
Rehabilitation
Your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance provider may offer vocational rehabilitation, which could equip you with new skills that can offer the opportunity to continue working in a different field that accommodates your disability. With the support and guidance of an experienced workers’ compensation attorney, you might be able to secure this service along with the other benefits you deserve.