This website contains information about:
workers’ compensation benefits:
workers’ compensation cash benefits:
workers’ compensation indemnity benefits:
temporary total disability:
If an injured worker is disabled for a period of more than seven days, he or she will be eligible to receive temporary total benefits at a rate of 70% their average weekly wage, not to exceed 75% of the Statewide Average Weekly Wage (SAWW) or fall below the minimum rate of 20% of the SAWW. These benefits are provided during the period when a worker is unable to work and is under active medical care.
Benefits are usually terminated when the worker is released to return to work in some capacity or if he or she has reached maximum medical improvement (MMI). MMI is a term that is used when additional treatment will no longer improve the medical condition of the injured worker. The worker, in some cases, may be left with either partial permanent injuries or total permanent injuries, details of which are addressed in the next two sections.
permanent partial disability: disability in which a wage earner is forever prevented from working at full physical capability because of injury or illness
When a job related injury or illness results in a partial permanent disability, benefits are based upon a percentage of certain "scheduled" or "non-scheduled" losses. A "scheduled" loss is one involving arms, hands, fingers, legs, feet, toes, eyes, ears or teeth. A "non-scheduled" loss is one involving any area or system of the body not specifically identified in the schedule, such as the back, the heart, the lungs. These benefits are paid weekly and are due after the date temporary disability ends.
permanent total disability: disability in which a wage earner is forever prevented from working because of injury or illness suffered
Sometimes when a work injury or illness prevents a worker from returning to any type of gainful employment, he or she may be entitled to receive permanent total disability benefits. These weekly benefits are provided initially for a period of 450 weeks. These benefits continue beyond the initial 450 weeks provided that the injured worker is able to show that he or she remains unable to earn wages.
Wages earned after 450 weeks offset the weekly computation in proportion to the income at the time of the injury. Permanent Total benefits are paid weekly and are based upon 70% of the average weekly wage, not to exceed 75% of the Statewide Average Weekly Wage (SAWW) or fall below the minimum rate of 20% of the SAWW.
Permanent Total Disability is also presumed when the worker has lost two major members or a combination of members of the body such as eyes, arms, hands, legs or feet. However, permanent total disability can also result from a combination of injuries that render the worker unemployable.
The Second Injury Fund (SIF), which is administered by the Division of Workers’ Compensation, makes benefit payments to injured workers who are totally and permanently disabled as a result of their last work-related injury combined with the workers’ pre-existing disabilities.
The Second Injury Fund was established to encourage employers to hire disabled workers. The employer only pays for the work related aspect of the total disability award. More Information about Second Injury Fund.
disability income insurance: insurance policy that pays benefits to a policyholder when that person becomes incapable of performing one or more occupational duties, either temporarily or on a long-term basis, or totally. The policy is designed to replace a portion of the income lost because of the insured's disability. Payments begin after a specified period, called the elimination period, of several weeks or months. Some policies remain in force until the person is able to return to work, or to return to a similar occupation, or is eligible to receive benefits from another program such as Social Security disability. Disability insurance payments are normally tax-free to beneficiaries as long as they paid the policy premiums. Many employers offer disability income insurance to their employees, though people are able to buy coverage on an individual basis as well.
death benefits;
workers’ compensation costs; employers’ cost of workers’ compensation; workers’ compensation insurance rates; workers’ compensation premiums;
workers’ compensation insurance; private carriers; competitive state funds; exclusive state funds; self-insurance; workers’ compensation underwriting results; experience rating;
work-related injuries; workplace injuries; occupational diseases; work-related diseases;
work-related tests; arising out of employment; course of employment; compensable; workers’ compensation coverage;
exclusive remedy; intentional injury; workers' compensation principle; limited liability; no-fault system;
date of injury; date of maximum medical improvement; statute of limitations;
settlements; compromise and release agreements.
Articles on the web by John F. Burton Jr.
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_hb6645/is_n4_v60/ai_n28633291/