Evaluating Your Options

How To Determine How Long Your Workers' Compensation Benefits Will Last

27 April 2021

Dale Watkins

Workers' compensation insurance exists so that employers do not have to be held personally responsible for the injuries of their employees. Instead, the workers' compensation insurance provider pays for medical bills and lost wages. However, while some injuries are simple and can be recovered quickly, others can take years to recover from. You might wonder how long your workers' compensation benefits might last and should consult with a workers' compensation attorney.

Workers' Compensation Benefits Do Not Last Forever

The best way for workers' compensation benefits to end is for you to reach a full recovery. Then, you will be able to return to work. However, you may have an injury in which you will never fully recover and you may reach a point of Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI). Your doctor will determine when you have reached this point.

After you have reached your MMI, the next question is whether you will need additional work restrictions. You may then return to work as long as your employer is able to comply with your work restrictions.

Claim Denials

Another reason your benefits might end is because of a claim denial. Just because you receive benefits initially, this doesn't mean that your claim will not be denied later. Your employer and the insurance provider might be actively looking for an excuse to deny your claim. In this situation, you will want to speak with a workers' compensation attorney.

Benefits Are Often Temporary

If you are from a state where worker's compensation benefits are temporary, you may no longer receive compensation even if you are still injured. After a designated number of weeks injured, you will no longer receive benefits except for benefits you receive as a result of the permanent impairment rating (PIR).

The PIR takes into account the percentage of your body that is injured. If you have a permanent partial disability, you will be paid for a number of weeks based on the PIR assigned by your doctor. If you have a permanent total disability, you will receive benefits until the age or time set by the state you're in.

Because of how long you will receive benefits even when you are permanently disabled, it is important to make sure that your claim is not denied. You might have your claim denied because you are accused of not being injured or accused of having injuries that are not work-related. However, a workers' compensation attorney can help you prove your case.

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