North Carolina and South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Attorney
Being injured on the job is a serious matter because an injury or medical condition caused during employment can result in permanent or total disability. This type of injury can cause an injured employee and their loved ones a lot of worry and stress. That is why the workers’ compensation laws protect employees who have been injured on the job by providing benefits and compensation after a workplace injury.
Attorney Brian Steed Tatum understands the difficulties that injured workers face after being hurt on the job. He applies his dedication and expertise to ensure that his clients receive the maximum benefits allowed for their injuries as quickly as possible.
Workers’ Compensation Disability
Workers’ compensation benefits help workers disabled by a workplace injury. Benefits are given to injured workers who are totally disabled as well as to injured workers, if their disability is temporary or even partial. The benefits vary depending on how severe the disability is and how long it is likely to last.
- Permanent Total Disability (PTD): These benefits are available for workers who have been permanently or totally disabled after a work-related accident. If an injured worker cannot return to his previous employment and cannot work in any other job due to his disability, then the injured worker qualifies for permanent total disability benefits. In this instance, the injured worker can receive two-thirds, or 66%, of his or her pre-injury average weekly wage for life.
- Temporary Total Disability (TTD): These benefits are available if the injured worker is totally disabled and unable to return to work for a limited time because of the injury. The injured worker is entitled to receive benefits while he or she is deemed disabled, but the benefits are discontinued after the injured worker has recovered. TTD benefits pay the injured worker two-thirds, or 66%, of his or her pre-injury wages until he or she is well enough to return to work.
- Temporary Partial Disability (TPD): An injured worker who can work in a limited capacity for a reduction of income may be eligible for TPD benefits, which are available if an employee is injured but still able to work in some capacity. The amount of TPD benefits they are entitled to is two-thirds, or 66%, of the difference between their pre-injury wages and post-injury wages. These benefits are available until the injured worker has completely recovered and can work for his or her pre-injury wages.
- Social Security Disability Claims: An injured worker may be entitled to Social Security disability benefits as well as workers’ compensation benefits depending on his or her medical condition. If the injured worker becomes disabled under the Social Security Administration’s standards, he or she may be eligible for Social Security disability. According to the Social Security Administration, a disability for an adult means that the individual is unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity because of a physical or mental impairment, which has lasted, or is expected to last, for more than one year.
When an employee is receiving workers’ compensation benefits and is entitled to Social Security benefits, these benefits may be reduced. Social Security has a maximum amount that an individual is allowed to receive in both SSD and State Workers’ Compensation benefits.
Consult an Experienced Workers’ Compensation Attorney
No matter what type of injury you have suffered, the workers’ compensation benefits process can be lengthy and complicated. You should focus on healing and not worry about your lack of income because you are out of work due to an injury suffered on the job.
At the Tatum Law Firm, we want to help take the stress out of your recovery. We are committed to serving clients by assisting them with their workers’ compensation claims in North Carolina and South Carolina. Our experienced and dedicated workers’ compensation attorney, Brian Steed Tatum, will carefully pursue your claim and diligently follow up with your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance carrier to ensure that your rights are protected.
If you or a loved one has been injured and are suffering from a disability due to a workplace accident, please contact our offices for assistance at (704) 307-4350 or online for a free case evaluation.