Types of Workers’ Compensation Benefits
What Are The Benefits Under Tennessee Workers’ Compensation?
Any person who is injured on the job is entitled to medical care and wage loss benefits. These benefits are granted without regard to fault, as long as the accident, injury or illness was work-related.
Many employees do not know their rights. Employers and insurers rely on that fact to deny claims, deny specific treatments or try to terminate benefits. The workers’ compensation lawyers of Blount Law Firm, PLLC, will help you fight for the benefits you deserve. Our firm has advocated for injured workers for more than 70 years.
Types Of Workers’ Comp Benefits
There are two main categories of workers’ compensation benefits:
Medical benefits – Your employer covers all reasonable and necessary medical expenses, including surgery, physical therapy, medications and medical equipment. The main drawback is that you must seek treatment with your employer’s “preferred” physicians instead of your own doctors.
Wage replacement – If you are off the job because of your work injury or illness, workers’ compensation pays part of your wages until you can return to your job. The temporary disability benefits are equal to two-thirds of your average weekly pay.
Why do you need an attorney? Employers commonly miscalculate wage loss benefits, shortchanging the injured worker. Insurers may refuse to pay for specific medical treatments. Or the employer may deny the claim altogether as not work-related or not a serious injury. Jimmy Blount and his team can step in to fight for the benefits you deserve.
Benefits For Permanent Disability
Most employees heal and return to work. But you may be entitled to ongoing benefits if your injury caused lasting impairment:
Permanent partial disability – This is compensation if you are able to return to work but suffered a permanent injury such as nerve damage, loss of fingers, eye injury or disfigurement. The amount is based on the part of the body and the degree of disability.
Permanent total disability – If your injuries prevent you from returning to your job or any job in the open market, your wage replacement benefits continue. You can collect permanent disability until retirement age (Social Security eligibility).
Insurers commonly downplay the disability rating at initial assessment to reduce payments, or require periodic “independent medical exams” to try to terminate benefits. Our lawyers make sure you are treated fairly. We can also negotiate a lump sum buyout of your disability claim if it makes medical and financial sense for you.
Death Benefits And Job Retraining
If a worker dies from job-related injuries, their spouse and dependent children are entitled to death benefits to replace the lost income and help with burial expenses. The state of Tennessee also provides scholarships to workers with work-related disabilities to learn new job skills to become self-supporting again. Our lawyers can help you access these benefits if you run into any resistance.
We Stand Up For Your Employee Rights
We offer a free consultation to address your concerns about work injury benefits. We will intervene for you and take legal action if necessary to get the benefits you need and deserve, contact us online.