Employees will typically be classified as either temporarily or permanently disabled when injured or becoming ill on the job. The second type of benefits an injured worker can receive through a workers compensation claim is called permanent disability.Â
If an employee exhausts the period of time allowed during their healing period, and benefits under temporary disability have reached their maximum, the TD payments will end. If the employee’s healthcare provider determines that the employee is still unable to return to work, they will provide a written report that indicates that the employees condition is permanent and stationary (P&S).
Included in the physician’s report will be the date that the condition became P&S which will serve as the basis for the permanent disability eligibility. Once temporary disability ends, the insurance company begins issuing permanent payments. Most insurance companies perform an investigation, although there are differences in the requirements, to confirm the employee is considered permanently disabled. During this investigation period, the issuing insurance company usually considers the payments advances until the claim is formally agreed upon and accepted.
Although permanent disability payments are typically less than temporary payments, depending upon the state and specific circumstances of the case, the determination of permanent disability can present a variety of issues and problems including applications for permanent disability. Â Understand the legal limits and liabilities required by each state as well as how to put your employees back to work as soon as legally possible by speaking to a WCCOP representative today.
