4 Types of Workers’ Compensation Benefits

• July 1, 2024
• Attorney David Mann
• Workers' Compensation Workplace Accidents

In some parts of the country, the adoption of a system that fixes the amount of benefits paid by employers while providing medical and income benefits for injured workers is over 100 years old. Georgia has a few years to go before the centennial – it didn’t adopt workers’ compensation until 1920, the 42nd state to do so. The rise of industrialization and the corresponding increase in work-related injuries eventually made the old common law system of employer liability obsolete in every state.

Instead, it became obvious that meeting the needs of injured workers and their employers was better served if each side made a tradeoff, so that the employers no longer bore the cost of work-related injuries because they could buy insurance to cover the losses. Employers gave up their common law defenses, but gained monetary limits on their liabilities. Employees gave up their right to sue, but gained quick and certain amounts of compensation.

The system in Georgia allows for the following 4 types of workers’ compensation benefits (but only one type of benefit is payable at a time):

Temporary Disability Benefits (TTD)

Temporary total disability (TTD) benefits are available if an approved physician determines an injured worker cannot work for a period of time. The benefits are paid at up to two-thirds of the worker’s average weekly wage earned at the time of the injury or illness and cannot total more than $800 a week. Unless the injury is “catastrophic” (loss of a limb, severe burn, etc.), payment of benefits is limited to 400 weeks from the date of injury.

Temporary Partial Disability (TPD)

Temporary partial disability (TPD) benefits are available if the injured employee can return to work but only at a job that involves lighter duty and less pay. The benefits are paid at up to two-thirds of the difference between the worker’s average weekly wage before and after the injury, up to $533 a week. Payment of benefits is limited to 350 weeks from the date of injury.

Permanent Partial Disability (PPD)

Permanent partial disability (PPD) benefits are provided to workers to sustain a permanent physical loss, such as a loss of a toe, loss of a finger, or vision loss.  If the loss is verified by a licensed physician, the worker can receive 66% of their weekly wage, up to $693.08.  The length of time one can receive PPD benefits depends on the type of injury, described in what is called a “schedule.”  For example, if the worker loses a foot, they can collect PPD for up to 135 weeks. If a middle finger is lost, the injured worker can collect PPD for up to 35 weeks.

If the injured worker’s PPD is not listed in the schedule (usually referred to as being unscheduled) and also involves head injuries, spine injuries or other internal organs, they will receive benefits based on their percentage of disability times 300 weeks.

Permanent Total Disability (PTD)

Permanent total disability (PTD) payments are given to injured workers when they have reached maximum medical improvement (MMI) and a licensed physician has determined that they are totally and permanently disabled.  The injured worker will receive monetary benefits outlined in PPD, but they will get it for the rest of their life.  Injuries which may trigger PTD benefits include total blindness or other severe injuries.

Summary of 4 Types of Workers’ Compensation Benefits

Workers’ compensation law can be complex, even if your injuries seem not to be severe.  Certain injuries can manifest weeks or even months after the workplace accident.

Besides the 4 listed above, workers’ compensation benefits can also pay for medical treatment after the injury.  In Georgia, workers’ compensation will also reimburse injured workers for ambulance fees, medical testing, prescription medication, hospitalization, and any necessary therapy treatments.

In addition, workers’ compensation can also pay for rehabilitation and career training if the injured worker cannot return to their previous occupation and has to look at other career options.  Last, if the accident results in the death of the employee, the surviving family may also get benefits.

Our Workers’ Compensation Attorney Can Help

If you have any questions about this topic, think your workers’ compensation benefits have been wrongly calculated or denied, or have lost a loved one to a workplace accident, we can help. The Mann Law Firm has more than 50 years of experience in representing clients in Georgia workers’ compensation claims. Contact us today by calling 478-707-2125 in Macon, Dublin, Warner Robins or Milledgeville, or use our online form. We have the knowledge and the expertise to ensure that your rights are fully protected.