Most people expect their work injury to be temporary. You get hurt, get treatment, recover and eventually everything returns to normal.
But that’s not always the case. Sometimes the pain lingers, or recovery takes longer than expected. Maybe your condition never fully improves. When a work injury turns into a long-term issue, it affects not only your health but also your ability to work and provide for your family.
Long-term cases can become complicated
A work injury may be considered long-term when it results in lasting symptoms, requires ongoing treatment or leaves you with permanent limitations. Common examples include chronic back pain, joint damage or nerve injuries. These conditions can restrict your ability to perform your usual job duties.
At some point, your treating physician may determine that your condition has reached maximum medical improvement (MMI). This means further treatment may help manage your symptoms, but it’s unlikely there will be any more significant improvement in your recovery.
How this affects workers’ compensation benefits
Once your condition is deemed long-term or reaches MMI, your workers’ compensation claim may shift from temporary benefits to a more permanent form of compensation.
If you can return to work but have a lasting impairment, you may qualify for permanent partial disability. This is based on the extent of your impairment rather than your work status.
If your injury prevents you from returning to your former position, but you can still work in some capacity, even though it’s a lower-paying job, you may be eligible for working wage loss compensation. If a physician releases you to work, but you can’t find suitable employment, then you may receive non-working wage loss compensation.
In more serious cases, where your injury prevents you from performing any sustained, gainful employment, you may qualify for permanent total disability benefits.
Furthermore, workers’ compensation may continue to cover ongoing medical treatment related to your work injury. However, it’s not uncommon for disputes to arise over whether certain treatments are necessary or related to the original injury, especially as time goes on.
If your workplace injury isn’t improving, and you’re unsure of your next step, it may be worth contacting a legal representative so you can make informed decisions about your health, your work and your financial future.