Permanent Partial Disability Benefits
In many situations, a worker never fully recovers from a work injury. Fortunately, if a worker never fully returns to the pre-accident level of skill and efficiency, permanent partial disability benefits are available. Permanent partial disability (PPD) includes any long-lasting injury or symptoms resulting from on-the-job injuries, and helps to bridge the financial gap where your injury partially affects your ability to earn a living.
How are permanent partial disability benefits calculated?
Permanent partial disability benefits are addressed once a doctor states that you have reached maximum medical improvement. Permanent partial disability benefits are generally calculated in three ways:
- Percentage loss of use: The amount of PPD is negotiated in terms of a percentage loss of use of a particular body part, which is then multiplied by the number of weeks assigned to that body part in the statute. Finally, the compensable number of weeks is then multiplied by the permanent partial disability rate (60% of your average weekly wage) to determine the settlement number.
- Wage differential: If your injury prevents you from returning to your original employment and you instead must obtain a new, lower-paying job, you are entitled to receive a wage differential of 66.66% of your pre-injury pay.
- Disfigurement: If your injury or its treatment resulted in a permanent, serious change to your appearance, the disfigurement will be assigned a number-of-weeks value, capped at 162 weeks, which is then multiplied by 60% of your average weekly wage.
For a more detailed discussion regarding your unique situation, we encourage you to schedule a free consultation with an attorney at any of our offices, located in Aurora, Champaign and Chicago. We can listen to the facts of your situation and provide an honest assessment of your best course of action.
To learn more, or to find out how we can help you with your case, contact Woodruff Johnson & Evans Law Offices online or by phone at (630) 585-2320 and schedule a free, no-obligation consultation.
