Understanding Workers’ Compensation Benefits in Alabama

Understanding Workers’ Compensation Benefits in Alabama

Injured workers in Alabama who suffer a compensable job-related injury may be entitled to several different types of workers’ compensation benefits. Unfortunately, many injured workers are never fully informed about what benefits are available to them. For that reason, even after a seemingly minor injury, it can be helpful to understand the basics of how Alabama workers’ compensation benefits work.

Medical Benefits

Workers’ compensation insurance is required to pay for all reasonable and necessary medical treatment related to a work injury or occupational illness. This includes doctor visits, diagnostic testing, surgery, prescriptions, and other approved treatment—without copays or deductibles. Injured workers are also entitled to reimbursement for mileage to and from authorized medical appointments, which can add up over time. These benefits covering medical care for a compensable job injury are lifetime unless: (i) the injured worker suffers a subsequent injury which worsens the condition or (ii) the injured worker settles their right to life time medical benefits.

Wage Loss Benefits

If a treating physician restricts you from working or limits the work you can perform while you recover, you may be entitled to temporary disability benefits after a three-day waiting period.

• Temporary Total Disability (TTD):
  If you are unable to work at all because your employer cannot accommodate your medical restrictions, you may receive weekly benefits equal to two-thirds of your average weekly wage.
• Temporary Partial Disability (TPD):
  If you return to work but earn less due to reduced hours or modified duties, TPD benefits may apply. In Alabama, TPD benefits equal two-thirds of the difference between your pre-injury average weekly wage and your current earnings.

Temporary benefits generally continue until you return to full-duty work or your doctor determines that you have reached maximum medical improvement (MMI).

Permanent Disability Benefits

Once MMI is reached, your physician will assess whether you have any permanent impairment resulting from the injury. If the injury results in permanent partial disability, compensation is based on several factors, including the impairment rating and possible permanent physical restrictions. In cases of permanent total disability (PTD), benefits may be payable for life unless resolved through a lump-sum settlement that may include future medical care.

Vocational Benefits

If you cannot return to your prior job after reaching MMI and your injury affects the body as a whole or a non-scheduled body part, vocational rehabilitation or consideration may be available to fully compensate an injured worker for loss of access to jobs because of their permanent physical limitations.

Death Benefits

When a worker dies as a result of a job-related injury or illness, surviving dependents may be entitled to workers’ compensation death benefits.

Workers’ compensation benefits can be complex, and the type and amount of benefits available depend on the specific facts of each case. Understanding what the law provides is often the first step in protecting your rights after a workplace injury.

If you have suffered a work injury and you have questions about your rights and benefits under Alabama’s workers compensation laws -don’t hesitate to contact and speak with one of the experienced Alabama Workers Compensation and Social Security Disability attorneys at Powell and Denny today for a free consultation. Appointments are available in person, or virtually via Zoom if more convenient.  Powell and Denny would appreciate the opportunity to help.

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Understanding Workers’ Compensation Benefits in Alabama