Disability Lawyer Memphis TN
Each state has its own workers’ compensation laws, including Tennessee. Although there may be some variations to state statutes, these laws have been put in place to protect injured workers and require employers to carry workers’ compensation insurance to cover any employee who suffers a work-related injury or illness.
At Darrell Castle & Associates, PLLC, we have been assisting injured workers for more than 30 years in obtaining the compensation they are entitled to. Medical costs, such as doctor’s visits, hospital stays, surgeries, physical therapy, and medications are all covered under workers’ compensation. Injured workers are also entitled to disability benefits if they are unable to work. These benefits can be temporary or permanent.
Temporary Partial Disability
If a worker has suffered an injury or illness that is job-related, they may qualify for temporary partial disability (TPD) benefits. These benefits are paid if the worker is temporarily unable to work while they recover from the injury or they are still able to either work part-time or with some limited ability. The average benefit payment is approximately two-thirds of what the worker earned prior to their injury. This benefit is usually paid until the employee has recovered and they are able to return to their same hours and duties as they were prior to the injury.
Temporary Total Disability
In some cases, the employee is unable to work at all, but will eventually be able to return to their position and hours. In these cases, the worker may qualify for temporary total disability (TTD) and also average approximate two-thirds of the employee’s regular wage.
Permanent Partial Disability
If the injury or illness has left the employee with a permanent disability that only partially interferes with their ability to work, they may be eligible for permanent partial disability (PPD) benefits. PPD means that the employee is partially disabled (scarring and disfigurement also apply) but they are still able to work. The amount of PPD benefits is determined by the extent of the disability, although many states treat amputation or the loss of an eye as a permanent total disability (see below).
Permanent Total Disability
There are cases where the employee is left with such a serious permanent disability from their injury that they are unable to work at all. In these situations, the employee will likely qualify for permanent total disability (PTD). These benefits are usually two-thirds of what the employee’s regular wage was prior to the injury and are paid throughout the employee’s lifetime.
Call a Memphis TN Disability Lawyer for Assistance
When an employee has been injured and is being treated by a doctor, the doctor will classify the level of disability the employee has suffered. Any determination of whether the disability is permanent is made when the patient has reached their medical maximum improvement (MMI) and their condition cannot be improved upon any further.
If you have been injured on the job or have been diagnosed with a work-related illness or condition, contact a disability lawyer Memphis TN clients trust from the Darrell Castle & Associates, PLLC to find out how we can help you get the benefits you deserve.