If you have been injured at work but are able to perform light duty work, or you can work part-time during your healing process, you may qualify to receive temporary partial disability. These benefits can help offset some of your lost income until you are healed.
If you have concerns regarding your rights to compensation, or your Claim Form was denied, you should seek legal counsel immediately. ARichmondworkers’ comp attorney could carefully evaluate the details of your case and determine what you are entitled to receive.
Understanding Temporary Partial Disability Benefits
Injuries or illnesses acquired while performing job duties may enable you to receive workers’ compensation benefits. However, the type of benefits available will be dependent on the circumstances of your injury.
Some illnesses and injuries are only temporary. In other words, you are expected to return to work at some point.
Injuries and illnesses may also be considered partial. This means that you are still able to perform some level of work. Sometimes this comes in the way of light duty, and other times in reduced hours.
For instance, if your job requires a lot of walking but you fracture your leg at work, your employer may assign you to desk duties. Even if you work the same amount of hours but your pay is cut, you could be entitled to partial disability benefits.
Until you have healed or are able to return to your regular duties and hours, you may be eligible to receive temporary partial disability benefits. These benefits are usually two-thirds of the difference between what you made prior to the injury or illness and what you are now making part-time or on light duty.
This can be extremely helpful to those workers who can’t work their regular hours or perform their regular tasks. When you are at risk of losing income, this can help relieve a financial burden.
However, you should be aware that in some cases, an employer or their insurance carrier may try to deny benefits you are entitled to. As long as you can show that your illness or injury is related to your work, you have the right to be compensated.
For instance, if you have a back injury, your employer may try to say it developed outside of work. But if you have a job where you are constantly lifting heavy objects, this can help in establishing your work as the cause.
Or, if you developed asthma and you are exposed to toxic chemicals at work, this can be a way of demonstrating your illness is work-related. In some situations, you will need to acquire legal counsel.
Seeking Legal Help for Your Virginia Workers’ Comp Claim
Even though you may have the right to workers’ comp benefits, there is the risk you could be denied. When this happens, you should talk with Richmond workers’ comp attorney.
They can help assemble the evidence that you will need to prove your injuries or illness is related to your work. This may include lab results, copies of x-rays, and other medical documentation.
The process of acquiring benefits for a work-related illness or injury can sometimes be complicated. In addition, trying to receive benefits can become time-consuming, especially if they are delayed or your claim is denied.
The best way to protect your rights as a worker is to consult with a Richmond Workers’ Comp attorney. To better understand how the process works, order a copy of our free book the Ultimate Guide to Workers’ Compensation in Virginia. Don’t delay. Contact the Injured Workers Law Firm for a no-cost consultation – 877-755-7744 or 804-755-7755.
About the Author: Injured Workers Law Firm
The Injured Workers Law Firm is a Richmond, Virginia based firm solely focused on serving clients with workers' compensation claims in Virginia. If you have questions about your benefits or if you would like more information on the Virginia Workers’ Compensation system, order our book, “The Ultimate Guide to Workers’ Compensation in Virginia” , or call our office today (804) 755-7755.