Overview of Indiana Worker's Compensation Benefits
This Guide discusses the three main worker's compensation benefits available to workers in the State of Indiana. Generally, most worker's compensation cases will involve some form of compensation involving the three main type of benefits.
1
Temporary Total Disability Benefits
Temporary Total Disability benefits, also referred to as TTD benefits are a wage supplement. These benefits are paid to employees who have sustained a work-related injury that renders them unable to work. These benefits are paid at 2/3 of the employee's average weekly wage. The first TTD benefit will be made after the first week the employee is off of work. Should the employee be off of work for more than twenty days, then the employee will receive TTD compensation for the initial week of lost work. TTD benefits are offered to the injury employee in an attempt to offset the employee's lost wages. It is important to note that should an employer offer work that is within the employee's assigned restrictions, the employee has to accept the work because otherwise, the employer has no obligation to pay the TTD benefits.
2
Permanent Partial Impairment Rating
Permanent Partial Impairment also known as PPI is a rating assigned by the treating physician when there is a degree of permanency to the employee's injury. The PPI rating assigned by the treating physician will vary depending on the degree of permanency. The treating physician has to base the PPI rating on the AMA Guidelines, 5th Edition.
3
Medical Expenses
The third type of benefit available to injury employees is employer directed medical treatment. The employee is supposed to get the medical treatment necessary at the expense of the employer. The employer has the right to direct the employee's treatment. Employees who refuse to be treated by the physician chosen by the employer run the risk of jeopardizing their entitlement to this benefit. An employee can seek treatment with his or her own physician if such treatment is reasonably. However, in such situations, it is best to consult with a worker's compensation attorney to know your legal rights.
Additional Resources
If you have sustained an injury at work and feel that you are getting the run around, you may want to consult a worker's compensation attorney to discuss your legal rights. Knowledge is power in these situations.
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