Workers’ Compensation 101

Have you ever spotted a “WARNING IF YOU ARE INJURED ON THE JOB” sign hanging on the wall of your job’s break room? The State of Colorado requires all public and private employers to provide Workers’ Compensation coverage and to provide notice of these benefits in a common area at all times. Even though many employers comply with these rules and regulations, a large number of employees never take the time to learn about Workers’ Compensation benefits.

Although it’s not uncommon for an injured employee to ignore Workers’ Compensation laws until his or her hour of need, we strongly wanted to take this opportunity to inform our readers of the types of benefits available to injured workers. Read on to learn more about the most common types of Workers’ Compensation benefits provided to Colorado’s injured workers.

Temporary Total Disability (TTD)

Being injured on the job can take away from your ability to perform your duties and earn a living. For example, sustaining burns on all or part of your hands could result in your inability to be functional in the office or in the field. Breaking a bone, hurting your back, or numerous other injuries could make it impossible for you to work and earn wages. Should this happen to you, you may be eligible for TTD benefits. Just as the name suggests, the State of Colorado defines this type of benefit as being assigned to workers who are temporarily, but totally, disabled. This means that at some point in the future, you will recover your ability to work, but in the meantime your injuries prevent you from working or your employer does not have modified work to accommodate your disability. Under those circumstances, most injured workers will receive two-thirds of their average weekly wage.

Temporary Partial Disability (TPD)

In some instances, you may become injured in a way that detracts from your ability to perform certain job-related functions, but where you were still able to perform limited duties. This might also mean that you’re able to work for a limited number of hours per day or per week, which reduces your wages. If you have been released to work with restrictions, which the employer accommodates through modified duties or for a reduction in hours, you may be entitled to receive temporary partial disability benefits. This benefit is designed to supplement your reduced wages so that you and your loved ones are taken care of financially as you recover and usually pays two-thirds of the difference between your average weekly wage and your modified pay rate.

Permanent Partial Disability (PPD)

The State of Colorado defines PPD as when all functionality has been lost to a part of the body or a part of the body’s systems (i.e., the digestive system) as the result of a work-related injury or illness. If your treating physician determines that you have not fully recovered from your injuries, he or she may determine the degree of any permanent impairment sustained due to your injuries. That measure of permanent impairment is then used to determine in injured worker’s PPD award. In many cases an injured worker’s temporary total disability (TTD) rate (remember TTD from above?) will affect the amount of the PPD award, so it’s important to consult a Denver workers’ compensation attorney about your case shortly after your injury so your attorney can make sure that all of your benefits are maximized.

Permanent Total Disability (PTD)

If it is determined that your work-related injury or illness permanently prevents you from being able to perform any work for any wages, you may be entitled to PTD benefits. In most cases, this benefit pays two-thirds of your average weekly wage after your treating doctor has determined that you have been discharged from any medical treatment that is expected to help you recover from your injuries.

Regardless of whether your injury is partial, total, temporary, or permanent, you deserve to get the compensation the law requires. Reach out to Mintz Law Firm today to receive a free case consultation and to work with one of our skilled workers’ compensation attorneys.