What is Temporary Total Disability in Workers' Compensation?
Missouri law requires most employers to obtain workers’ compensation insurance. Covered employees who become totally but temporarily disabled because of an on-the-job injury may be entitled to benefits.
If you were hurt at a Columbia workplace, the skilled workers’ compensation team at the Law Office of Matt Uhrig can help you receive the compensation you deserve. Because you may not be able to pursue recovery outside this state-provided system, it is in your best interest to consult with an experienced attorney before proceeding.
Seeking Employee Benefits After an Accident or Illness
Workplace accidents are strikingly common. According to the Missouri Department of Labor, workers in the state suffered more than 78,000 nonfatal occupational injuries in 2012.
An employee injured on the job may be entitled to workers’ compensation. This is an insurance system designed to help both workers and employers. The insurance pays for the medical care and lost wages for employees who were hurt on the job. In exchange, employers are generally immune from civil lawsuits brought by injured workers.
All entities in the state with five or more employees are required to carry workers’ compensation insurance. Employers in the construction industry must carry the insurance if they have one or more employees.
Applying Based on Temporary Total Disability
When an individual is injured on the job and is unable to work, he or she may file a claim for workers’ compensation. There are several types of benefits, including permanent total disability, temporary total disability, and partial temporary disability.
Temporary total disability benefits are available to injured individuals who are unable to work for a limited amount of time. For example, an employee recovering from surgery required because of an on-the-job accident may be eligible for temporary total disability benefits. They may be available until a doctor clears the worker to return to work.
The benefits cover the employee’s medical expenses and part of his or her normal wages. Workers who receive temporary total disability benefits are entitled to two-thirds of their average weekly earnings. In addition, the insurance pays for all of the medical expenses, including payment to doctors and other professionals, prescription drugs, and necessary medical devices or equipment.
In most cases, Missouri law prevents employees who were injured on the job and covered by their employers’ workers’ compensation plan from suing their companies in court, even if the company acted negligently. There are some exceptions, but they are rare.
Because workers’ compensation benefits may be the only available source of recovery for an injured person, it is important to talk to an experienced attorney before making a decision about pursuing these, or other, forms of assistance. A lawyer can explain your rights, ensure that you are eligible for benefits, and investigate whether your injury falls within an exception.
Talk to a Missouri Lawyer About Your Work Injury Claim
If you were hurt on the job, you may be entitled to worker’s compensation benefits. But before you file a claim on your own, you should understand your rights. Matt Uhrig and his team can help you identify the best plan of action for pursuing compensation.