Workers’ compensation can provide important support for injured workers, helping them pay for medical care and support their family while they cannot earn the same income. Many workers wonder how long their workers’ compensation benefits will last. What should you know?
How long do medical benefits last?
Medical benefits cover all necessary medical treatment related to the work injury or illness. These are provided for as long as necessary, as determined by medical professionals, to treat the injury or illness related to the job.
How long can Supplemental Earnings Benefits last?
Supplemental Earnings Benefits (SEB) support workers who can return to work but earn less than 90 percent of their pre-injury wages due to their injury. These benefits can last up to 520 weeks. This means that—unless you return to full duty or can once again earn your pre-injury wages – you can receive support for up to 10 years.
How long do disability benefits last?
The duration of disability benefits depends on the type of disability. For example, temporary total disability (TTD) benefits are available as long as the worker is completely unable to work because of their condition. Workers can receive these benefits until their doctor clears them to return to work or they reach the point where their condition will no longer improve.
If a worker suffers a permanent injury, they can receive disability benefits based on the impact of their injury. Workers who permanently lose function in part of their body can receive permanent partial disability (PPD) benefits. The duration of PPD benefits can vary. It generally depends on the specific body part injured and the impact of the injury. For example, workers who lose use of a toe may receive benefits for up to 10 weeks, while losing the use of an arm could lead to up to 200 weeks of benefits.
Permanent total disability (PTD) benefits typically last as long as the worker cannot return to work. This means that they can last for the lifetime of the worker unless their condition improves and they can return to work.
The duration of workers’ compensation benefits in Louisiana depends on each worker’s circumstances. Understanding these details can help employees plan their recovery and return to work, while also ensuring they maximize the benefits available to them.