Medical Expenses: Workers’ compensation pays for all “reasonable and necessary” medical treatment and related expenses. You must be treated by a doctor within your employer’s Medical Provider Network (MPN) and will receive standardized care according to set medical guidelines. However, you will not be responsible for any expenses related to this care, including co-pays, medication costs, and transportation to and from medical appointments.

Temporary Disability: Workers’ compensation also pays temporary disability benefits while you are unable to return to work due to your injury or condition. Temporary disability is available when your doctor determines that you cannot work due to your injury, and your employer does not offer suitable light-duty or modified work. You are entitled to temporary disability benefits until you return to work, are cleared to return to work, or your condition stabilizes and you become eligible for permanent disability benefits or a period of no more than 104 weeks within five years from the date of your injury.

Permanent Disability: Permanent disability benefits are available when your work-related injury or condition results in lasting impairments that prevent you from returning to work at full capacity or at all. Your doctor will provide you with an impairment rating between 0 and 100%; if you are between 1 and 99% impaired, you can receive permanent partial disability (PPD) benefits. If you are 100% impaired, you can recover permanent total disability (PTD) benefits. If you are between 70 and 99% impaired, you are entitled to receive a life pension benefit.

Job Displacement: Some injured employees who cannot return to work are entitled to receive job displacement benefits. These benefits are paid in the form of a supplemental job displacement voucher, which can be used to offset certain costs associated with job retraining, such as educational and training course fees, licensing costs, resume and/or job placement services, job-related tools, and computer equipment. You can only receive job displacement benefits if your employer does not offer alternative, modified, or regular work that pays at least 85% of your prior salary, lasts at least one year (12 months), and which is within a reasonable distance from your home.