Workers’ compensation helps protect people hurt while they’re on the job. They may be eligible for medical benefits to pay for their treatment. If their injuries require time off for medical recovery, then they may also be eligible for disability benefits.
Typically, injured employees can rely on workers’ compensation to pay for any of the necessary treatment expenses. They do not have any patient responsibility costs associated with their care. The doctor overseeing their treatment establishes a treatment plan and then makes adjustments as necessary based on how they respond. In some cases, the final medical determination may be that the worker’s injury has not responded to treatment.
What happens in scenarios where employees are unlikely to make a full recovery because they stop responding to treatment while they still have symptoms?
The injury may be permanent
If a physician believes that an injured worker has not responded to care, they may adjust the treatment plan in some cases. Other times, they may reach the conclusion that the employee is unlikely to make a full recovery.
They may notify the state that the worker has achieved maximum medical improvement (MMI). A designation of MMI has implications for a workers’ compensation claim in progress. The employee may no longer be eligible for continued treatment benefits.
The employee may be eligible for permanent partial disability benefits. If their condition constitutes a scheduled loss, they may receive a lump-sum payment. Other times, they may be eligible for partial disability benefits to address the change in their earning potential. Total disability benefits may also be an option if the worker is unlikely to ever resume gainful employment.
They can also potentially receive continued medical benefits that cover their symptom management care, such as medication. When a worker is unlikely to make a full recovery while dealing with the aftermath of a job-related medical condition, they may need help obtaining benefits to replace their lost income and cover their continued medical needs.
Consulting with a workers’ compensation attorney can help injured employees understand their rights. A lawyer can be very beneficial in cases where workers must negotiate a permanent disability settlement or respond to an unfavorable medical determination during a claim.