When an employee is injured on, or becomes ill from the job, he or she becomes eligible for a number of benefits. First of these is necessary Medical Treatment. The most immediate concern in cases of occupational injury or occupational disease is the health and physical well-being of the employee.

In addition, the employee may be incapacitated from work for a period of time, during which he or she may be eligible for wage replacement and other benefits.

When an employee is unable to perform ANY job, he or she is eligible to receive Temporary Total Disability benefits. These are weekly benefits at a rate calculated based on the employees earnings prior to the injury.

When an employee is able to perform SOME type of work, but not the original full-duty work which caused the injury or illness, he or she may receive Temporary Partial Diability benefits. These may be the same weekly rate as temporary total benefits, if the employee is unable to find a light duty job, or else will be paid as a percentage of the difference between the employee's wages before the injury and their wages after the injury.

When and employee suffers a permanent disability as a result of a work-related injury or illness, he or she may receive Permanent Partial Disability benefits, which serve as compensation not for lost earnings but for having suffered a permanent partial disability to some part(s) of the body. These benefits are for a specified number of weeks at the employee's compensation rate.

More detailed information on these available benefits can be found in the WCC Information Booklet.

Questions about this material, the Code, or procedures of the Commission should be directed to the office of the Chief Commissioner.