Gabriel & Associates - Workers Compensation Page 2

If your physician allows you to return to part-time work or modified work while you are still recovering from your injury or illness, and if you are receiving less than your usual earnings, you may be entitled to temporary partial disability.

Permanent disability benefits

If your injury or illness results in a permanent impairment that reduces your ability to compete in the labor market, you may be entitled to permanent disability benefits. If you believe that this applies to you, you should first discuss the nature of your disability with your physician; and then your eligibility for permanent disability benefits with your employer or the insurance carrier. Permanent disability can be evaluated only after your physician determines that your condition has reached maximum improvement and further change is not likely. At that time your condition has become "permanent and stationary" and can be evaluated. Your employer or insurance carrier will send a request for a determination of the extent of permanent disability along with all of your doctor's reports to the disability evaluation bureau of the State Division of Industrial Accidents. A determination of how much permanent disability exists will be made and you will be advised of the amount of the benefit.

If you are not likely to be able to return to your usual job duties because of your injury, you may be entitled to rehabilitation benefits to assist you in returning to work. While you are enrolled in a rehabilitation plan approved by the State Division of Industrial Accidents Rehabilitation Bureau, the total cost of services and temporary disability is paid as part of your workers' compensation benefits.

You should be reimbursed by the insurance carrier or your self-insured employer for the reasonable costs of transportation to secure medical care and rehabilitation. We suggest you keep a record of the date and purpose of your trips, round trip mileage or public transportation costs, bridge tolls and parking costs, and send it to the insurance carrier or self-insured employer.

If the work-caused injury or illness results in death, benefits may be paid to qualified surviving dependents. The maximum death benefit is $95,000. There is a separate allowance for reimbursement of reasonable burial expenses up to $1,500.

Report it immediately to your supervisor so that you can receive appropriate medical care and proper reports can be made.

Contact your doctor to find out if a report was sent to the workers' compensation insurance carrier or your self-insured employer.