Worker’s compensation is a lifesaver for those who’ve been injured on the job. You won’t be stuck wondering how you’ll cover your bills, medical expenses, and basic necessities if you can’t go back to work right away. But here’s the problem: not all workers know what they’re entitled to, and insurance companies often use that lack of knowledge against them. The truth is, temporary disability benefits exist for a reason. If you’re injured and can’t work, you have a right to these payments.
Temporary Total Disability (TTD)
If your injury is severe enough that you can’t work at all, even temporarily, you may qualify for Temporary Total Disability (TTD). These benefits are designed for workers who are completely unable to perform their job duties while recovering.
TTD benefits provide two-thirds of your average weekly wage. There is a cap on these benefits, and in Florida, the maximum you can receive per week is $917. For catastrophic injuries, you might qualify for a temporary increase, with 80% of your wages being paid out for up to six months. But don’t assume your employer’s insurer will volunteer this information—you’ll need to fight for what’s rightfully yours.
Temporary Partial Disability (TPD)
Not every work injury will prevent you from working entirely. In many cases, you could be cleared to return to your job but with significant limitations, such as light-duty tasks. This is where Temporary Partial Disability (TPD) comes into play. It covers the gap between what you can earn and what you used to make.
Here’s how it works: If you can return to work but at reduced hours or in a modified role that pays less than 80% of your normal wage, workers’ comp will step in to cover part of the difference. For example, if you typically earn $800 per week but now only bring home $400, workers’ comp will pay 80% of the difference—in this case, $192. TPD is essential for workers who can still work but whose injury has left them in a significantly less profitable situation.
How Long Do Temporary Disability Benefits Last?
The duration of TTD and TPD benefits is something every injured worker should keep a close eye on. These benefits don’t last forever, and they are based on medical assessments. Specifically, your doctor will determine when you have reached maximum medical improvement (MMI), which is the point at which further recovery isn’t expected. Once you hit that point, your temporary disability benefits will stop, even if you haven’t fully returned to your pre-injury condition.
In Florida, you can receive temporary disability benefits for up to 260 weeks (five years), but most cases won’t last that long. If you’re lucky, you’ll be able to return to work long before then. But what if your injuries are permanent? You may qualify for Permanent Total Disability (PTD) benefits, which offer lifetime compensation or even a lump-sum settlement, but this process is more complicated and can involve additional legal hurdles.
When Claims Are Denied
Employers and insurance companies have a vested interest in denying or reducing claims. This is where the fight really begins. Your claim can be denied for countless reasons—insufficient evidence, missed deadlines, or disputes over the severity of your injury. And when that happens, the burden often falls on you to prove your case.
At Feldman Legal Group, we don’t back down from a fight, especially when it comes to protecting your rights as an injured worker. If your temporary disability benefits are being delayed, reduced, or outright denied, you don’t have to face this battle alone. Contact us today to get the compensation you deserve and secure the financial future you’ve worked so hard for.
(877) 946-8293
