To qualify for permanent total disability, you will need to prove that your injuries are severe enough that you can never work again.
Each year millions of Americans are injured while on the job. However, some workplace injuries are more severe than others, and some injured workers may be out of commission for a long time, even permanently. What happens if you are unable to return to your job due to your work-related injury?
If you are not able to work again due to the seriousness of your injury, you may be eligible for permanent total disability (PTD).
Permanent Total Disability
If you can no longer work due to your work-related accident, PTD is a specialized workers’ comp program that provides long-term financial support. This includes part-time employment, work in a different field, or a lower-paying job. PTD is two-thirds of your wages for the rest of your life, with a maximum weekly amount imposed by the state.
Qualifications for Permanent Total Disability
To qualify for permanent total disability, you will need to prove that your injuries are severe enough that you can never work again. Types of permanent disability injuries can include:
- Blindness
- Dismemberment
- Brain Damage
- Loss of Hearing
- Spinal cord injury
- Paralysis
Eligibility for PTD
To be eligible for PTD, your treating doctor will determine that your condition has improved at much as it can. In Missouri, this critical point is called maximum medical improvement, or MMI.
MMI is the point at which the physician feels you will no longer benefit from medical care. Once you reach this point, your doctor will examine you to determine whether your injuries have left you with any permanent disabilities.
PTD is only for those with the most serious and debilitating conditions. All other permanent disabilities are considered partial disabilities.
Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
At the Law Office of James M. Hoffmann, we are a highly skilled legal firm specializing in workers’ compensation cases. We have successfully assisted many individuals in the St. Louis area seeking benefits for workplace injuries, including PTD. We understand the trauma and devastation a permanent disability can cause, and we will work tirelessly to pursue the compensation benefits you and your family deserve.