Temporary disability benefits available to Colorado workers

If you are ever injured on the job in Colorado, you may be able to take advantage of the benefits offered by the workers’ compensation program, which is overseen by the state’s Department of Labor. Employees are eligible for two distinct types of disability benefits to offset the costs created by being injured; temporary disability and permanent disability. In this post, we will give a quick overview of temporary disability.

As the name implies, temporary disability is for employees whose injuries keep them from working for a while before they eventually return to the job. To receive temporary disability, a worker must lose four or more shifts or days of work. The benefits kick in on the fourth missed work day and payments continue every two weeks until their lawful termination.

There are two different kinds of temporary disability. One type is temporary total disability, sometimes referred to a TTD, which is for employees whose injuries completely prohibit them from working and earning their wages.

On the other hand, if a worker is able to return to work in a limited capacity, they may be able to receive temporary partial disability, also called TPD. TPD can be applied to help compensate workers who are unable to earn their full complement of wages while recovering from their injuries. For example, if you return to your job and your duties are modified to accommodate your condition, but you are being paid reduced wages, you may qualify for TPD that can cover the difference between your current and your usual income.

Your need for workers’ compensation will likely correspond to the severity of your condition. If you do file a claim and need your benefits for a prolonged period, it is vital that you adhere to all of the requirements as enforced by the Colorado Department of Labor.

But even if you do your best to follow the rules, you may still have your claim rejected or your benefits canceled prematurely. If this should happen, an experienced Denver workers’ compensation attorney could work on your behalf to contest the state’s decision in an effort to get you the payments to which you are entitled.

Category:

• WORKERS' COMPENSATION