The process to receive permanent partial disability benefits is as follows
- Notify your employer of your injury. In many cases, notifying your employer of your injury and filing your claim will occur at the same time because the employer may have to submit paperwork when you arrive at the emergency room or hospital.
- File your claim. There is a deadline to file a claim. It is important to do so immediately after the injury occurs so that no deadlines are missed.
- Seek medical treatment. Document everything. Keep all of your medical records together so they are easy to find and submit when needed.
- After the initial course of treatment has been completed, you will be rated for a certain percentage of disability. This will include whether or not the disability is permanent or temporary and 100% or partial.
- At that time, it will also determine whether more treatment is needed and whether or not it will be an ongoing or permanent treatment plan.
- Establish the number of weeks you will be eligible to receive payments. This can range from 3 to 1000 weeks. In cases, where the disability is rated as permanent, the payments will be ongoing.
- If the disability is permanent, you may be offered a lump sum payment, otherwise you will receive weekly payments for the duration of the time period assessed.
There are many deadlines associated with disability or worker’s compensation claims. It is important to act quickly and document everything. Keep all of your records close in case they are needed.