Workers Compensation: Partial Disability
Temporary Partial Disability
Temporary partial disability (TPD) is a wage-loss
benefit payable to employees who are back at work
but earning less than their pre-injury gross weekly
wage. In many states, it is payable at two-thirds of
the difference between what the employee earned at
the time of the injury and the current earnings.
Permanent Partial Disability
Permanent partial disability (PPD) benefits are
payable for the permanent functional loss of a body
part such as the back, arm or leg.
In many states, the amount that a worker receives
in compensation is dependent on how large of a
percentage of the body is injured. The total
percentage rating is multiplied by a specific dollar
amount or a number of weeks to determine the
benefits that are payable. Ratings cannot exceed 100
percent of the whole body for any one injury. In
some states, permanent partial disability benefits
can be paid concurrently with other disability
benefits.
To find out what you are entitled to earn for
partial disability in your state, you can visit
your state's workers’ compensation page. If you have been
denied benefits or feel that you are not earning a
fair partial disability payment, contact a competent
workers’ compensation lawyer. A workers’
compensation attorney can help you determine the
amount you should receive under the laws of your
state.
Federal Workers
Federal employees are subject to federal workers’
compensation laws, not those of the state in which
they reside. The injured federal employee is
entitled to continuation of pay from the employing
agency for up to 45 days of disability. If the
disability continues for more that 45 days, then
compensation for lost wages is payable after a
three-day waiting period in a non-paid status. No
waiting period is required if the disability causing
the wage loss lasts longer than 14 days from the
time compensation begins.
For permanent disability, workers' compensation benefits
are based on loss of earnings capacity and schedule
awards for the loss or loss of use of specified
members, organs and functions of the body when there
are permanent effects of a job-related injury. If
the employee has no dependents, disability
compensation is generally payable at the rate of
two-thirds of pre-disability gross wages tax-free.
If the employee has one or more dependants,
compensation is payable at the rate of three-fourths
of pre-disability gross wages, tax-free. |
