The injuries that result from an on-the-job accident can range from broken bones that heal in a few weeks, to severe injuries that render an employee unable to return to their job, or to work at all. Workers’ compensation insurance is in place to provide benefits for the expenses an employee may incur as a result of their injuries. When a work injury is so severe that it effects an employee’s ability to return to work, those benefits can expand to include long-term coverage for lost wages, or compensation to help an injury victim move into a new role.
Career-Ending Injuries
Career-ending injuries include any work-related conditions that disrupt an employee’s ability to return to the job they had before they were injured.
Examples of career-ending injuries include:
- Brain injuries
- Spine injuries
- Disfigurement
- Occupational illnesses
Disability Benefits
There are four classifications for injuries that result in disability: temporary partial disability, permanent partial disability, temporary total disability, and permanent total disability. The benefits an injury victim receives depends on how their injury is classified — for example, permanent disability patients can be eligible for long-term wage replacement benefits.
Supplemental Job Displacement
The workers’ compensation systems in some states have supplemental job displacement programs that help disabled workers transfer into a new career path through training and occupational counseling. Although an injury may have ended an employee’s ability to return to their old job, they can develop skills to start a new role. Supplemental job displacement benefits are reserved for employees who are permanently disabled and do not have options for other work with their pre-injury company.
The Smolich and Smolich legal team is committed to helping injured workers recover the compensation they deserve following an on-the-job accident. To learn about the benefits you may be entitled to, schedule a free consultation with our attorneys.
Call (916) 571-0400 or use our contact form to reach our firm and discover your options after a work injury.