A serious job-related injury can leave you unable to return to work for weeks, months, or even years. In some cases, an injury or illness may be so debilitating, it prevents you from ever returning to your previous employment.
To help workers who suffer lost wages and income due to work-related injuries, illnesses, and medical conditions, California’s workers’ compensation system provides both temporary and permanent disability benefits to eligible individuals. Disability benefits are paid based on a percentage of the worker’s average weekly wages and are available for set amounts of time depending on a variety of factors, including the severity of the injury and the ability of the individual to conduct light-duty or modified work.
Continue reading to learn more about disability benefits through the workers’ compensation system or contact Glauber Berenson Vego today to learn how our Glendale disability claims lawyers can help you. We are available to answer your questions and provide the personalized guidance you need.
When you are unable to work temporarily due to an injury or medical condition, workers’ compensation pays temporary disability benefits.
Typically, these benefits are:
In most cases, you can receive temporary disability benefits as long as your doctor determines that you are unable to work or unable to work at full capacity. Your doctor will conduct ongoing evaluations every 45 days to decide whether you can return to work or not.
As an experienced attorney could explain, the maximum amount of time you can continue receiving temporary disability benefits in Glendale is 104 weeks in a 5-year period. However, if you suffer a severe condition that qualifies, you could receive temporary disability for up to 240 weeks.
Qualifying severe conditions that entitle you to receive temporary disability benefits for up to 240 weeks include:
If you are unable to return to work at all due to your injuries, you will receive temporary total disability (TTD) benefits. If you can return to light-duty work or work in a modified capacity, you will be eligible for temporary partial disability (TPD) benefits, which are calculated based on the lost wages you sustain due to working fewer hours.
Many injured workers do not make a full recovery after treatment. In this case, the injured worker will be eligible for permanent disability benefits through the workers’ compensation system. To be eligible for permanent disability benefits, you must receive a disability rating of 1 – 100%; if your rating is below 100%, you are considered partially disabled, and if it is 100%, you are considered totally disabled. Disability ratings are provided by treating physicians and are generally based on the individual’s ability to compete on the open labor market.
The amount and duration of your permanent disability benefits is based on your disability rating:
For injuries that are permanent, you will receive a disability rating (also known as a “whole person impairment” rating) as set forth in American Medical Association guidelines. Your disability rating is calculated during a medical evaluation provided by your doctor. During this evaluation, your doctor will examine each area of your body that was affected by your work-related injury or illness and provide an impairment rating. The final rating is based on individual analysis of the various body parts. This is your “whole person impairment.”
While the whole person impairment determines your physical disability level, it does not necessarily consider impairments beyond your activities of daily living, or ability to care for yourself. To determine the full value of your permanent disability, including your loss of working capacity, various factors are considered.
Some of these factors include your:
At Glauber Berenson Vego, our Glendale disability claims attorneys will work hard to obtain the maximum available benefits on your behalf. While we strive to recover efficient, favorable settlements for our clients, we are fully prepared to take your case to trial if necessary.
While any injury can result in lasting complications, some more frequently lead to lifelong disability.
Some examples of permanent injuries include:
These and other injuries can permanent impact your ability to work and earn a living for yourself and your family, but workers’ compensation can help. As an injured employee in the state of California, you have the right to seek compensation when you suffer serious, life-altering injures on the job. Glauber Berenson Vego is here to help guide you through this process and fight for the maximum benefits you are owed.
Find out more about available temporary and permanent disability benefits by calling our law office to schedule a free initial appointment with a Glendale disability claims lawyer. We have offices in Glendale, Downey, and Los Angeles and proudly serve clients throughout the San Fernando Valley, San Gabriel Valley and the Greater Los Angeles Area. For more than 30 years, our firm has been successfully representing the rights of injured workers and their families, and we are ready to help you, too.
We provide free initial consultations and contingency fees, meaning you pay no fee until we recover compensation for you. Our team offers legal services in English, Spanish, and Farsi and is happy to discuss your needs during a complimentary consultation and case evaluation.
Get in touch with us today at (626) 796-9400 or use our online contact form to set up your appointment today.
