Terms and Policies You Need To Know

At the Bialke Law in Coon Rapids, I focus on helping Minnesota accident and injury victims get the compensation they are owed. The workers’ compensation system has developed standards by which to define “disability,” either partial or total, temporary or permanent.

Each state has its own schedule of benefits for each type of loss, so an attorney can help you understand the schedule and what to expect in the process.

Temporary Partial Disability (TPD)

Temporary partial disability (TPD) benefits are paid if, as a result of your injury, you are earning a lower weekly wage than before you were injured. TPD benefits are calculated based on your gross weekly wage at the time of your injury and your current gross weekly earnings.

Payment is equal to two-thirds of the difference between what you were earning at the time of your injury and your current wages. Generally, you will be paid TPD benefits until you are released to return to your previous job without a wage loss.

Temporary Total Disability (TTD)

If you are unable to work due to your injury, you will be paid Temporary Total Disability benefits. Payments are equal to two-thirds of your gross average weekly wage at the time of your injury and are paid at the same intervals as your regular paychecks.

TTD benefits generally end when:

• You have been paid the maximum number of weeks of benefits (see table below)
• You are not participating in a vocational rehabilitation program
• You have returned to your previous job or other suitable employment

Permanent Partial Disability (PPD)

Permanent partial disability (PPD) benefits are paid to compensate for the permanent functional loss of use of a part of your body. These benefits are based upon a disability schedule (usually called the PPD) Disability (or impairment) ratings are assigned as a percentage of disability to the body as a whole, and there are guidelines required when determining the rating.

To determine the benefits that are payable, the total percentage rating is multiplied by a specific dollar amount. Ratings cannot exceed 100 percent of the whole body for any one injury. Permanent partial disability benefits are payable after temporary total (TTD) benefits end and can be paid concurrently with temporary partial (TPD) and permanent total (PTD) benefits.

If, as the result of your work injury, you are never able to return to gainful employment, you may be eligible for PTD benefits. The amount of the PTD benefit is two-thirds of your gross weekly wage at the time of your injury, payable on a weekly basis for the remainder of your life, or age 67, depending upon the date of injury.

Death/dependency benefits the spouse, children and/or other dependents of an employee who dies as the result of a work-related injury or illness is eligible for dependency benefits.

Free Consultations For Injury Victims

Additional workers’ compensation information is available through the Minnesota Department of Labor or by reaching out via online form. Call my Fridley office for a free consultation at 763-571-2410.