Workers’ compensation benefits for permanent partial disability

After your work injury cost you the loss of a limb, you began accessing the benefits of the workers’ compensation program in Georgia. According to the Georgia State Board of Workers’ Compensation, your employer’s insurance company must cover medical bills and a portion of the lost wages.

But what will happen if you can never perform your job duties again? Catastrophic injuries often result in further benefits.

Permanent partial disability benefits

The state bases your weekly benefit amount on two-thirds of your average weekly wage. The loss of a body part will result in a number of weeks’ benefits. Different body parts are “worth” a certain number of weeks. For example, the loss of an arm is equal to 225 weeks of benefits. You would also receive benefits if you have permanently lost the use of a body part, including vision in one eye, hearing in one ear, or partial or full blindness or deafness.

Vocational rehabilitation

Perhaps you cannot stand and lift for hours anymore, but you have a good head for numbers, and you can type. The workers’ compensation program pays for job training so you can learn new skills based on your strengths and get back to work. You may be able to take some bookkeeping classes or learn other office skills and begin a new career.

While no amount of benefits can restore your previous abilities, you may be able to use the program to start a new chapter in your life. The key will be to maximize every resource available to you during your recovery and beyond.