What is an Injured Worker Entitled to?

If your injury or illness is covered by workers compensation, you are entitled to benefits. For a temporary disability, employees are entitled to lost wages and medical bills. If the injury is permanent, employees are entitled to a lump sum payment.

Lost wages
Eligibility for lost wages usually starts soon after you miss a few days of work. Some states have a waiting period before you are entitled to receive benefits. Other states allow employees to get benefits from the first day they were injured.

If you are temporarily disabled by an injury or illness, you are entitled to benefits that compensate you for not being able to work. Because you are not taxed on workers' comp benefits, you are entitled to about two-thirds of your average wages. This should equal your regular wages with taxes taken out. Some states will give you more than two-thirds, however, most states have limits on the amount you can get. If your wage is high, you may receive a pay cut under workers' comp.

If you can work on a reduced schedule or at another lower-paying job, you are entitled to the difference between what you made before your injury or illness and what you make after. For example, if you made $700 a week before your injury, and after your injury you make $300 a week, then you are entitled to $400 a week to make up the difference in salaries for as long as you are in that position.

Medical bills
Workers' comp benefits pay for medical coverage including transportation, doctors, hospitals, prosthetic aides, dentists, chiropractors and physical therapy.

Permanent disability
Employees who are permanently disabled usually will receive a lump sum payment. The amount of the payment depends on the type of injury and whether you are totally disabled or partially disabled. Some state laws set a lump amount for certain injuries. For example, if you lose an arm, you may be entitled to a certain predetermined amount of money.