What Are the Four Types of Workers’ Compensation Benefits?

According to the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL), the four types of workers’ compensation benefits are: medical benefits, wage replacement benefits, vocational rehabilitation benefits, and other benefits like death benefits. Each provides specific coverage and support to workers who have suffered workplace injuries or illnesses.

If you suffered a work-related injury and you are looking for a more in-depth explanation of workers’ compensation benefits, you can read more about workers compensation claim information here provided by our personal injury law firm, The Kryder Law Group, LLC Accident and Injury Lawyers.

Four Types of Workers’ Compensation Benefits

What Are Workers’ Compensation Benefits in Illinois?

According to Illinois law, employers are required to carry workers’ compensation insurance benefits for their employees. This means that if an employee suffers a work-related injury or illness, they may be entitled to receive benefits under the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act (820 ILCS 305, et al.).

If a workplace accident resulted in an employee’s death, certain surviving family members may be eligible to receive death benefits.

What is the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission?

The Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission (IWCC) is the state agency responsible for overseeing and enforcing workers’ compensation laws in Illinois. This includes ensuring that employers have workers’ compensation insurance, resolving disputes about workers’ compensation claims between employees and employers, and administering benefits to injured workers.

Medical Benefits in Workers’ Comp Claims

Medical benefits, the most common workers’ compensation, cover medical costs and expenses for work-related injuries or illnesses:

• doctor visits,
• hospital stays,
• surgeries,
• physical therapy, and
• medications

Employees can select their own doctors for their initial visit through the IWCC, but further appointments must be with an employer insurance company-approved doctor. For specialized treatment, approval from the employer’s insurance carrier may be necessary.

Wage Replacement Benefits

According to the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission Handbook, wage replacement benefits are available to workers unable to work due to work-related injuries or illnesses. The amount of lost wages received depends on the type of disability.

Temporary Total Disability Benefits

Temporary total disability (TTD) refers to permanent disability, a period when an employee cannot work, during which they receive 66.6% of their average weekly wage, within set limits.

Temporary Partial Disability Benefits

Temporary partial disability (TPD) allows employees to work light duty and earn less than usual. Injured employees receive 66.6% of the difference between pre-injury and pre injury job and current earnings, with TPD subject to certain limits.

Permanent Partial Disability Benefits

In Illinois, workers with permanent disabilities, either total or partial, may qualify for one of four types of PPD benefits based on wage differences, injuries, or disfigurement.

Permanent Total Disability Benefits

Injured employees eligible for PTD benefits can receive 66.6 percent of their average weekly wage for the rest of their lives.

What Is Maximum Medical Improvement?

Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI) occurs when an injured employee’s condition stabilizes with no further expected improvement. In Illinois, when injured workers reach maximum medical improvement, their benefits will be reassessed.

Vocational Rehabilitation Benefits: Aiding in Employee Recovery

Vocational rehabilitation benefits aim to assist injured workers in acquiring new skills or finding suitable employment that accommodates permanent disabilities from work-related injuries or illnesses.

• vocational rehabilitation services,
• counseling and supervising job searches,
• job retraining, and
• on-the-job training

Death Benefits

If a worker dies from a work-related accident, their dependents may receive death benefits to cover funeral and burial expenses, medical expenses and provide financial support. Such benefits depends on the number of dependents and the worker’s average weekly wage.

A workers’ compensation lawyer can assess your eligibility for death benefits if a loved one died in a work accident or from a work-related illness.

Free Consultation

Contact us today for a free consultation to discuss your case. The Kryder Law Group, LLC Accident and Injury Lawyers has been fighting for the rights of injured workers in Illinois for decades and is dedicated to helping you receive the compensation you deserve.