Medical Benefits Explained

June 24, 2023

The thought of sorting through all of the rules, exceptions and overall giant ball of red tape that goes along with filing a Workers’ Compensation claim can be extremely overwhelming. In fact, it is probably the last thing an injured worker wants to think about after he or she has suffered an injury at work. However, it is crucial to act quickly after you have suffered a work injury. One of the first steps you should take is to contact a reputable Baltimore Workers’ Compensation lawyer who can negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf and ensure that your legal rights are protected at all times.

Depending on the type of injury, there are various types of Workers’ Compensation benefits available. Some of the benefits described below go directly to the employee to compensate for lost wages or long-term injuries. Others will go towards paying for medical expenses, rehabilitation, retraining and other benefits that are needed for the employee’s recovery.

Types of Medical Benefits

The following are examples of the most common medical benefits that injured employees are entitled to through Workers’ Compensation:

• Medical/Hospitalization Benefits: An employee is entitled to these benefits if he or she has suffered an accidental injury on the job. Benefits include:
  – Hospital and nursing services
  – Medication
  – Crutches and other medical equipment needed to treat the injury
  – Artificial arms, feet, hands, legs and other prosthetic devices
• Temporary Total Disability Benefits (TTD): These are the benefits an employee is entitled to receive for the period of time he or she is unable to work. They are temporary in nature due to the likelihood that the employee will return to work. The amount of TTD benefits is generally two-thirds (2/3) of your average weekly pay.
• Permanent Partial Disability Benefits (PPD): Once the claimant has reached maximum medical improvement after being on temporary disability, and the injury persists that is “partial in character and permanent in nature,” the worker is entitled to compensation. The amount of compensation given depends on a number of things, including the body part that was injured. If a body part is considered completely disabled after the injury, the injured worker receives a certain number of weeks of compensation. A Baltimore Workers’ Compensation lawyer can explain this in full detail.
• Permanent Total Disability Benefits (PPD): When an employee is severely injured they may be completely unable to return to work under any circumstances. If this is the case, and the injury results in total disablement, the worker is entitled to two-thirds of the average weekly wage. Payment will be made for as long as the worker lives, or until he or she is no longer permanently disabled.
• Temporary Partial Disability Benefits (TPD): These benefits are paid to an employee who has returned to the workforce, but not in his or her original capacity. There may still be a medical restriction preventing him or her from turning to the original responsibilities. The employer must pay 50% of the difference between the average weekly wage of the employee and the wage earning capacity of the employee in the same employment while temporarily partially disabled.
• Survival of Compensation: If an injured worker dies from an event unrelated to their injury, the family of the deceased worker may collect the unpaid compensation. The amount of money depends on whether the injury resulted in Permanent Total Disability or Permanent Partial Disability and an experienced Workers’ Compensation lawyer can help determine the compensation that should be transferred to the surviving dependents.

Baltimore Workers’ Compensation Lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton Advocate for Injured Workers

If a workplace injury has left you temporarily or permanently unable to work, contact Baltimore Workers’ Compensation lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton. We are dedicated to providing top-notch legal counsel and we will not stop fighting for you until your needs have been met and you receive the benefits that you deserve. For a free consultation, call us at 844-556-4LAW (4529) or contact us online.