An injury on the job can be a frustrating setback. Professionals in the middle of a shift or a major project may have to leave to undergo medical treatment. If the injury is severe enough, they may not be able to return to work for some time.
Occasionally, the injuries sustained while on the job are significant enough to cause permanent functional limitations for the injured party. Amputations, brain injuries, spinal cord injuries and even repetitive strain injuries may not result in a full recovery.
Many people have lingering functional limitations even after they undergo treatment. In such cases, workers may experience a permanent reduction in their income and may have medical complications that persist for life.
How can workers’ compensation help when a professional sustains permanent job-related injuries?
Workers may qualify for key benefits
Employees are eligible for several valuable workers’ compensation benefits after an on-the-job injury. Many professionals rely on the medical coverage available through workers’ compensation to pay for their treatment.
Otherwise, they might be responsible for copays and deductibles that force them to pay for some of their treatment out of pocket. Medical benefits can persist for as long as symptoms last, although treatment benefits may end when a worker’s condition stops improving with treatment.
Those with long-term symptoms may also be eligible for disability benefits. Many employees only need temporary disability benefits. There are temporary total disability benefits available for when professionals need to take a short-term leave of absence from their jobs. There are also temporary partial disability benefits if employees must move to different positions that provide lower pay.
There are similar benefits available if a medical professional determines that the worker has permanent injuries that are unlikely to respond to treatment. In many cases, workers may be eligible for permanent partial disability benefits.
The degree of impairment and the affected body part combine to guide the benefits provided to workers who have long-term symptoms caused by a job-acquired medical condition. In some cases, the medical challenges a worker experiences might prevent them from maintaining any gainful employment. They may be eligible for permanent total disability benefits.
People who cannot work because of a medical issue related to their employment may be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. Learning about benefits and having support while requesting them can make it easier for employees to get the support they require for job-related medical challenges.
