Workers that get injured on the job and are eligible to receive financial compensation are given rates determined by the classification of injury the worker suffered. In the continual plight for increased compensation for workers with temporary total disabilities, many states’ Division of Workers’ Compensation departments continues to increase rates when and where they can, in an attempt to make the compensation a livable wage. 

What Are the Classifications of Disability?

Because no one injury is the same, in the United States’ disability system, there are categories that injury or illness victims can be registered. Although everyone in these categories is suffering in their own way, the category that an individual is placed in dictates how much financial support a disabled person is entitled to. As described by the National Academy of Social Insurance, the four classifications of disability are:

  • Temporary Total Disability (TTD)
  • Temporary Partial Disability (TPD)
  • Permanent Total Disability (PTD)
  • Permanent Partial Disability (PPD)

Temporary Total Disability

Thankfully, in the United States, we have a disability program in place that allows citizens to receive financial support if they fall under the government’s definition of “disabled.” Although there are also permanent disabilities, temporary total disabilities are considered to be injuries that completely eliminate an individual’s ability to work for a short period of time. While temporary disability can range from days to weeks, or months, typically, recovery is achieved by the injury victim. Typically, an individual with a temporary total disability is paid a percentage of their normal weekly pay until they are able to return to work. 

Temporary Partial Disability

Temporary partial disability (TPD) is a classification of disability that applies to injured workers who can only return to an adapted version of their role after an injury occurs until recovered fully. This disability compensation also applies to people who take on another job at their company that isn’t as strenuous or demanding. The bottom line in receiving this type of disability income is that the employee can still return to work, just not in the same capacity as they could pre-injury, and they eventually can return to their original role.

The rate you receive is calculated by the amount of money you used to make, and the smaller amount of money you can make now. The difference between those numbers, in most states, is what is considered when paying temporary partial disability compensation.

Permanent Total Disability 

Arguably the most severe category of the four classifications of disability, simply put, those in need of permanent total disability assistance can never work again to support themselves. Typically, those with such disabilities will never be able to or are expected to work in the same capacity they once did prior to their injury. 

Luckily, most people have the option to protect themselves against permanent disability injuries through a disability insurance policy which is a percentage of the policyholder’s average wage. However, this policy usually runs out when an individual reaches the age of retirement and they are eligible for Social Security. Additionally, a worker may not qualify for permanent total disability until their medical condition is considered stable on the off chance that they make a recovery or succumb to their injuries. This process can sometimes be tricky, and the lawyers at Nevarez Law Group strongly recommends hiring an injury attorney to finalize your disability claim. 

Permanent Partial Disability

Permanent partial disability is what is individuals are considered for when they have a permanent disability, but it does not prevent them from working entirely. Their injury may make it so that they can no longer successfully complete their past job, but there are other positions that can be achieved despite their disability. Employers cannot discriminate against an employee with a permanent disability, and giving an employee a modified version of their job is the responsibility of the employer. 

If you have suffered any classification of disability and feel you are not being compensated the way you are entitled to, Washington, D.C. workers’ compensation lawyers at Lightfoot Law, PLLC recommend seeking legal representation.