Injuries sustained on the job can cause a variety of challenges. Workers can break a leg if they fall. They may develop soft tissue injuries that require weeks of rest. They may require medical care and either a leave of absence or light-duty job responsibilities until their symptoms improve.
Thankfully, workers’ compensation can provide financial relief to professionals unable to work because of job-acquired medical conditions. They can request medical benefits that pay for their treatment. They may also be eligible for disability benefits to cover some of their lost income.
In most cases, benefits continue until a worker fully recovers. What happens if they don’t recover but instead stop responding to treatment?
The disability may be permanent
Sometimes, permanent disabilities are immediately obvious. Amputations and spinal cord injuries cause functional limitations that are impossible to overlook. Other injuries might improve with time and treatment.
Eventually, doctors may determine that the worker has stopped responding to treatment. Severe fractures, repetitive strain injuries and a variety of other medical conditions may improve somewhat without fully resolving. In such cases, workers may have permanent partial disabilities.
They may be able to return to work, but they may not command the same wages that they previously earned after ending their treatment. In such scenarios, they may be eligible for permanent partial disability benefits. Their medical benefits may change as well.
Injured employees trying to navigate confusing and complicated workers’ compensation claims may require support throughout the process. Hiring a lawyer could make it easier for workers to optimize their benefits and focus on recovering instead of handling red tape.