What Are the Four Types of Workers’ Compensation Benefits?

According to the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL), the four types of workers’ compensation benefits are: medical benefits, wage replacement benefits, vocational rehabilitation benefits, and other benefits, such as death benefits. Each type of benefit provides specific coverage and support to workers who have suffered workplace injuries or illnesses. We will discuss each type of workers’ compensation benefit in more detail.

Because Illinois employers are required to carry workers’ compensation insurance, a worker who suffered an on-the-job injury may be entitled to recover some or all of these benefits (except for death benefits if they survived the incident).

If a workplace accident resulted in an employee’s death, certain surviving family members may be eligible to receive death benefits. If you suffered a work-related injury and you are looking for a more in-depth explanation of the four types of workers’ compensation benefits, read on for more information.

Introduction to Workers’ Compensation Benefits

Workers’ compensation benefits are a crucial safety net for employees who suffer an injury or illness due to their job duties. These benefits provide financial assistance and support during a difficult time, allowing injured workers to focus on recovering and returning to work.

According to Illinois law, employers are required to carry workers’ compensation insurance for their employees. This means that if an employee suffers a work-related injury or illness, they may be entitled to receive benefits under the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act (820 ILCS 305, et al.).

What is the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission?

The Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission (IWCC) is the state agency responsible for overseeing and enforcing workers’ compensation laws in Illinois. This includes ensuring that employers have workers’ compensation insurance, resolving disputes between employees and employers, and administering benefits to injured workers.

Medical Benefits

Medical benefits are the most common type of workers’ compensation benefits. These benefits cover all reasonable and necessary medical treatment and medical expenses related to a work-related injury or illness. This includes:

• doctor visits,
• hospital stays,
• surgeries,
• physical therapy, and
• medications

The IWCC allows employees to choose their own doctors for their initial visit, but subsequent appointments must be made with a doctor approved by the employer or their insurance carrier. If an employee requires more specialized treatment, they may need to receive approval from their employer’s insurance carrier before seeking medical care.

Wage Replacement Benefits

Wage replacement benefits, also known as disability benefits, provide income to workers who are unable to return to work due to a work-related injury or illness. These benefits can help cover lost wages while an employee is recovering and unable to work.

Although wage replacement benefits won’t pay an employer the hourly wage or salary they were earning prior to the workplace accident, it will at least provide them with a portion of their wages. This way, the injured worker still has some income while they take time away from work to focus on recovering.

Disability Benefits: Understanding Temporary and Permanent Disability

According to the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission Handbook, how much an employee receives in wage replacement benefits depends on whether the employee is receiving temporary total disability (TTD), temporary partial disability (TPD), or permanent partial disability (PPD), permanent total disability (PTD).

Temporary Total Disability Benefits

Temporary total disability means that the employee is totally unable to work for a certain period of time. Injured workers can receive 66.6 percent of their average weekly wage, subject to minimum and maximum limits.

Temporary Partial Disability Benefits

Temporary partial disability means that the employee is able to work “light duty, on a part-time or full-time basis, and [earn] less than [they] would earn.” Injured employees can receive 66.6 percent of the difference between what they were earning before the injury and what they are currently earning. TPD is also subject to minimum and maximum limits.

Permanent Partial Disability Benefits

Sometimes an injured worker will reach maximum medical improvement and suffer from some form of permanent disability, total or partial. There are four types of PPD benefits in Illinois that are determined by wage differences, injuries, or disfigurement. Our team of personal injury lawyers at The Kryder Group, LLC Accident and Injury Lawyers has years of experience helping injured workers file workers’ compensation claims and can explain what you might be able to receive.

Permanent Total Disability Benefits

Injured employees eligible for PTD benefits can receive 66.6 percent of their average weekly wage for the rest of their lives.

Whether you suffered temporary or permanent disability on the job, an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer can help you file a workers’ compensation claim so you can get the wage benefits you need for your work-related injuries.

Vocational Rehabilitation Benefits: Aiding in Employee Recovery

Vocational rehabilitation benefits include:

• vocational rehabilitation services,
• counseling and supervising job searches,
• job retraining, and
• on-the-job training

The goal of these benefits is to help injured workers learn new skills or find suitable employment that accommodates any permanent disabilities caused by the work-related injury or illness.

Death Benefits

If a worker dies due to a work-related accident, their dependents may be eligible for death benefits. These benefits can help cover funeral and burial expenses, as well as provide financial support to the deceased worker’s spouse and children. The amount of death benefits received is dependent on factors such as the number of dependents and the deceased worker’s average weekly wage.

If your loved one was killed in a work accident or contracted a terminal illness from work, a workers’ compensation lawyer on our team can determine if you qualify for death benefits.

Contact The Kryder Law Group, LLC Accident and Injury Lawyers Today

If you or a loved one has suffered a work-related injury or illness, it is important to understand your rights and the benefits available under the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act. The experienced workers’ compensation lawyers at The Kryder Law Group, LLC Accident and Injury Lawyers can help you navigate the complex process of filing a claim, negotiate with an insurance company, and ensure that you receive the proper benefits for your situation.

Free Consultation

Contact us today for a free consultation to discuss your case. The Kryder Law Group, LLC Accident and Injury Lawyers has been fighting for the rights of injured workers in Illinois for decades and is dedicated to helping you receive the compensation you deserve. Let us handle the legal process while you focus on your recovery. Contact us now to get started.