Many employees take consolation in knowing that their employers will pay for medical treatment and lost wages after an accident on the job. However, some employees will still be unable to work months or even years after the injury occurs.
If you're one of these employees, you should know that workers’ compensation will continue to cover some of your injury costs as long as you're unable to earn a living.
Duration of Workers' Compensation Benefits for Florida Employees
Since every injury is different, the amount of time an employee can collect workers’ compensation varies from person to person. In general, the time limit for workers’ compensation benefits depends on kind of injury you suffered and how much it
affects your ability to work.
There are also different time limits for each type of workers’ compensation benefit. For example, you may see a longer or shorter window of benefit payment when collecting:
- Temporary disability. Florida workers' compensation law allows an injured worker to receive up to a maximum of 104 weeks of temporary compensation. The employee must remain on a "no work" status—or under limitations which an employer cannot accommodate—in order for benefits to be claimed for the week.
- Medical benefits. Medical benefits don't expire as long as the need for the care is related to the industrial accident. However, you must receive "authorized" medical care at least once every 12 months for workers' compensation to cover the costs.
- Permanent partial disability. If an employee is still unable to work after temporary benefits have expired, or the patient has reached maximum medical improvement, he or she is entitled to impairment income benefits. Payment may continue until the specific time limit established for the degree and type of disability or until the death of the employee.
- Permanent total disability. If the injury results in total lifelong disability, an employee can collect 66.67 percent of his or her average weekly wages as long as he or she is unable to perform any kind of work. Payment of these benefits may continue until the employee reaches age 75. Payments will be discontinued if it's discovered the employee is physically capable of performing employment within a 50-mile radius of his or her home.
If you've suffered permanent effects from an accident on the job, we can help you obtain a fair workers' compensation settlement. Simply fill out the quick contact form on this page today to schedule a consultation with our work injury attorneys at no cost to you.
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