What are TPD benefits?
Similar to TTD benefits, an employee is eligible for TPD benefits while healing from a work injury. An injured worker is eligible for TPD when his/her work restrictions impacts upon their ability to earn their full average weekly wage.
What is the difference between TPD and TTD benefits?
The difference between TPD and TTD is that you must be completely off of work in order to receive TTD benefits. In the event that an injured worker works a partial week, and earns less than their AWW, the TPD benefits will apply.
How are TPD benefits calculated?
TPD benefits are calculated using a more complex formula than its TTD counterpart. The TPD calculation must also factor in any wages earned during the week in question. Please call for further details in relation to this topic.
Is there pain and suffering in Workers Compensation?
Yes and No. Pain and suffering are no specifically compensated. There is no direct compensation available for the financial hardships a work injury may cause, nor for the frustration in dealing with the workers compensation carrier, doctor offices, etc. Rather, an injured worker gets compensated for present and future pain, weakness, effects of surgery, etc. by means of an assessment of permanent partial disability (PPD), loss of earning capacity (LOEC), or by means of a retraining program.
What are PPD benefits?
Permanent Partial Disability benefits are awarded to an injured worker who has sustained permanent damage from the effects of a work injury. The amount of benefits to which an injured worker is entitled is determined by a PPD rating. The PPD rating is expressed as a percentage, and should be assessed by your treating doctor/surgeon at the point when you have reached a healing plateau from the work injury or work exposure. PPD benefits are typically paid out on a monthly basis (i.e. 4.33 weeks of payments, sent out in one lump sum check each month).
What is a healing plateau?
A healing plateau is another way of describing that you have reached a point in your medical treatment where your condition is no longer improving. It is often referred to as the point of maximum medical improvement (MMI). Generally speaking, a healing plateau is reached when your doctor is ready to release you from his/her care. However, it is still possible to reach a plateau and still be getting treatment. If your treatment is intended to relieve pain, as opposed toimproving function (e.g. if you are receiving steroid injections 2 years after a low back fusion procedure), then you are likely treating for a permanent condition.
How are PPD benefits calculated?
Like TTD benefits, PPD benefits are capped. The maximum allowable PPD rate is dependent upon the year of your injury. In addition, the calculation is body part specific, and pays out at a lower weekly rate than TTD. The Department of Workforce Development (DWD) assigns a certain number of applicable weeks to various maladies. The percentage of PPD assessed by your treating doctor is then multiplied to the number of weeks applicable to your specific condition, in order to determine the monetary amount of your PPD benefits.