Some injured workers are fortunate enough to fully recover after a workplace injury. Once the injury or accidents received adequate treatment and the worker is healed, they can go back to work and resume activities as if nothing happened.
This is the best-case scenario, but some injured workers in Missouri may not be so fortunate. For some, a workplace injury can leave a lasting mark on their lives and completely change them forever.
Workplace Injuries and Permanent Disability
When an injury can’t be completely healed and leaves a permanent effect on your body, that is legally known as a ‘permanent disability’. Workers’ comp benefits will cover the full medical costs you need, but some injuries may physically be impossible to fully heal.
Your worker’s comp doctor that administers the treatment will generally decide when you reach the maximum medical improvement, which is a term used to describe a case in which medically speaking, the injury or condition can reasonably no longer improve through treatment. For most people, an MMI means they can go back to work, while for others it may mean permanent disability.
There are two types of PD:
Permanent total disability – in this case, it means you are completely unable to work ever again because your condition is serious and debilitation. For example, a PTD would be a complete loss of sight or loss of both legs.
Permanent partial disability – meaning you may still be able to work some jobs, but not the job you used to have. For instance, if you break your arm, it heals, but you lose some strength and cannot grip or lift objects, that’s PPD. you may be able to work certain jobs, but if your previous employment was physically demanding, it’s likely you’ll not be able to resume it.
How Worker’s Comp Can Help
Workers comp has provisions in place to help injured workers who’ve been disabled as a result of their job, whether their disability is permanent or temporary.
If you have a permanent total disability, you will continue to receive worker’s comp benefits for the rest of your life, as this disability completely prevents you from working ever again. People with permanent partial disability will also receive benefits based on the severity of their disability. Even if these benefits aren’t designed for a lifetime, they can still provide some financial support until you find a form of employment more suitable for your condition.
Why Speak With a Lawyer?
No matter what kind of disability you have, it’s fair to say your life has been changed forever. As a result, you need to make sure you receive adequate worker’s comp benefits that will allow you to support yourself, either your entire life or until you find another job. To make sure your legal rights are protected right from the start of your claim, it is in your best interests to speak with an experienced workers’ compensation attorney. Give us a call 24/7 at (816) 399-3706 for a FREE consultation.
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