Getting hurt at work and having workers' compensation means never having to use your own funds for medical expenses as long as it's related to your job. It can also mean that you can take time to recuperate away from work. You may only be paid a certain percentage of your usual pay, but it is tax-free and paid on a weekly basis. You should understand that these benefits are only temporary, and when the time comes, you may face some changes. Read on to learn more.
Will your temporary benefits end?
Workers' comp can be used in many ways, but the weekly partial pay and medical expenses won't go on forever. If your illness or injury is still causing you to miss work after some time, then you should understand that your temporary benefits may be coming to an end. The insurance carrier will ask you to undergo a special kind of medical exam so that more can be learned about your condition and how much longer you will need benefits. This exam, called an independent medical exam, is a milestone in your benefits path because it may help determine whether or not you have an injury that is never going to heal or a chronic illness brought on by work.
No improvement expected
Once the results of your independent medical exam have been released, you may be ruled to be at maximum medical improvement (MMI). This term is widely used in situations that deal with someone's physical health and insurance coverage. It means that no further improvement is expected and that you have a permanent disability.
What happens next if you are not at MMI?
Not all exams result in a ruling of MMI. If you are being asked to return to work and you are still unable to do so, then you might need some legal help. Speak to a workers' comp lawyer and find out how to fight for your benefits and your job, since failing to return to your position could get you fired. On the other hand, your exam may have shown that you need more time, but that eventually you are expected to improve enough to return to your job.
What happens next if you are at MMI?
A permanent disability means that you might be offered a lump sum settlement and a lifetime of medical care. In some locations, you can expect rehabilitation services that include job retraining and search support and you may also be eligible for federal help through Social Security and Medicare. You will need to take special care with your settlement negotiations, so speak to an attorney to learn more.
Attorneys like those at Dawson & Associates, LLC can help.
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