While you are injured and receiving treatment, workers’ compensation will take care of your medical expenses. If vocational rehabilitation is required to get you back up to full health, that will be covered under workers’ compensation as well.
While you are out of work, disability pay will cover what you would normally make if you were working. You will receive this compensation until you can return to your regular work—or until your employer offers you some form of light-duty, suitable work once you reach medical stability. You are entitled to receive temporary total disability compensation for a maximum of 312 weeks within a 12 year period of time dating back to the day of the injury.
During your time and travel for medical treatment, you may be paid benefits for time away from work while receiving medical treatment. You may also receive travel reimbursement for any expenses related to travel to and from your treatment.
You are entitled to medical care and treatment for your work injury or illness for as long as it is needed. There is no time limit for this right. The medical provider, however, does have to submit any bills for services rendered to the workers’ compensation insurance company within one year of the treatment date.
If your medical provider concludes that you can go back to work on light duty, and your employer does not offer light duty work, you are still entitled to continue receiving temporary total disability benefits until you are ready to return to full duty work—or until you reach the maximum 312 week entitlement. You cannot refuse an offer from your employer of light duty work without good reason. If you refuse, you can be denied your temporary disability compensation.
Because navigating the process of receiving workers’ compensation can be complex, and because you are entitled to many benefits as an injured worker, it is highly advantageous for you to consult an attorney who specializes in workers’ compensation if you find yourself injured or ill due to work. Your attorney will ensure while you are out of work that you are receiving the compensation that you are entitled to.