No matter how safe a job might appear, there is always a risk of serious physical harm in the line of work. These jobs need to make sure that their workers are covered when these emergencies occur. If not, it can lead to serious issues for a worker’s well-being. For employees who suffer physical or emotional damages while performing their job, employers offer compensation that covers medical expenses and benefits for disability or death. Keep reading as we take a closer look at the types of compensation offered to employees in the state of Florida.
Medical Benefits
Medical benefits are the most usual form of compensation offered by employers to employees suffering from work-related illness or injury. These benefits aim to cover the cost of medical care essential for recovery and return to the pre-injury level of functioning. Any visits to your physician, medications, hospitalization, medical or surgical procedures, physical or occupational therapy, assistive or prosthetic devices, and other forms of reasonable medical care are included in the medical benefits offered to employees. To qualify for the above-mentioned benefits, you must seek treatment at a hospital or clinic that has been authorized by the employer or covered by your insurance provider. Emergencies are the only exceptions to this rule. It is important to remember that for the treatment of eligible injuries and illnesses, you do not have to cover out-of-pocket expenses on your own, such as insurance co-payments, deductibles.
Disability Benefits
Besides physical harm, loss of income is one of the most important forms of compensable damages. Employees need to have some sort of coverage in case something happens to them at work. It covers not only the past and present wages but also the potential future loss of income due to physical disability that might make returning to prior employment challenging. Employees are legally required to be paid during their recovery time. Depending on the extent and duration of disability, there are four categories of disability benefits:
Temporary Total Disability (TTD)
TTD refers to a disability that renders an employee temporarily unable to perform any work, with a possibility of recovery in the future. TTD benefits cover 66 percent of the average weekly wage up to the maximum compensation of $1,197 allowed by law. You can receive these benefits until maximum medical improvement (MMI) or when you get medical clearance to return to work. It’s important to keep track of these benefits to understand what you require to qualify. You want to make sure you are getting the proper coverage.
Temporary Partial Disability (TPD)
TPD refers to a disability whereby work is permissible and possible under certain restrictions. Meaning that the employee can provide some work, but they cannot overexert themselves. Doctors want to make sure that they aren’t going to worsen their injury. TPD covers 80 percent of the average weekly wage. Like TTD, these benefits end once MMI is reached.
Permanent Total Disability (PTD)
PTD is reserved for individuals who are unable to work again due to permanent loss of function. This must be inspected by the medical professional provided by the employer. They will implore whether the employee requires this type of compensation. Upon meeting the set criteria, you might be eligible to receive 66 percent of your average weekly wage for life. It’s important to continue recovering without having to worry about your wages.
Permanent Partial Disability (PPD)
PPD covers partial impairment that allows for certain types of employment that account for physical shortcomings. This is also another one that needs to require certain criteria to require. Once your doctor allows this, you are given the ability to earn your wages while also recovering from your injury. This compensation is based on the percentage of loss of function of the body and lasts until age 75 or death. Make sure to keep track of this paperwork in case your employer feels that they need a second opinion.
Death Benefits
This is a form of compensation offered to the dependents of an employee who died due to work-related illness or injury. It is important to note that there is a limit of one year from the date of the incident for all such cases. It covers limited funeral expenses, financial compensation, and other benefits to the living partner of the employee or other surviving family members. This type of expense can help your family members continue to live their lives without having to worry about the missing income.
Conclusion
Medical bills, disability benefits, and compensation for deceased employees are only some of the forms of workers’ comp available in the state of Florida for work-related illness and injury. Consulting an experienced lawyer knowledgeable in this area of law is crucial to obtaining adequate legal advice and representation in case of any disputes arising from the claim. They will review your case and make sure you get the compensation you rightly deserve. It’s important to reach out to a trusted legal team immediately after the incident to make sure you get justice.
