Permanent and Partial Disability

Permanent and Partial Disability

If you are injured on the job for any reason, you are entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. Workplace injuries can dramatically impact your ability to do your job and earn the living to which you have become accustomed. When you have sustained a work injury, you deserve benefits to compensate you for the long-term effects. At Noonan Perillo & Thut Ltd., we understand the hardship a workplace injury can cause you and your family. Our attorneys are skilled in handling workers’ compensation claims and ensuring you get the full compensation you deserve.

Permanent Partial Disability (PPD) Benefits Under Workers’ Compensation Law

If you are injured at work you are entitled to permanent partial disability (PPD) benefits as part of your workers’ compensation claim. Permanent partial disability benefits are intended to compensate an injured worker for the permanent nature of a work injury. These benefits can be awarded even when an employee makes a full recovery from the injury. An injured worker can be compensated for permanent partial disability in several different ways.

The first and most common type of recovery for permanent partial disability is based on a scheduled injury. Section 8(e) of the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act assigns a specific weekly value to most body parts (i.e. arm, hand, leg, foot). An employee who makes a good recovery from their injury and is able to return to his/her prior employment without restrictions is likely to receive an award of permanent partial disability benefits based on a scheduled injury. In these cases, the injured worker is entitled to a certain percentage of the number of weeks of compensation assigned to the body part that was injured. The specific number of weeks to which an employee is entitled is determined on a case-by-case basis, but takes into consideration the nature and extent of the injury, treatment rendered and time lost from work.

If you are unable to return to your prior job or prior line of employment because your injury results in permanent work restrictions, your permanent partial disability award may be based on a wage-differential. The wage differential allows the injured worker to recover two-thirds of the difference in wages between what the employee could be earning in his/her prior job and what the employee is earning, or is capable of earning, in his/her new job.

Finally, if your injury on the job prevents you from returning to work in any capacity, the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act allows for permanent total disability benefits. Permanent total disability benefits allow the injured worker to collect temporary total disability for life. These benefits are subject to cost of living increases.

Workers’ compensation laws are complicated and having a knowledgeable attorney on your side can dramatically improve the process. If you sustain a workplace injury, hiring an experienced workers’ compensation attorney as soon as possible is recommended so that you get full compensation for your injury and lost wages. Our attorneys offer free initial consultations to discuss your case and answer your questions. We work on a contingency basis, meaning we only get paid if we recover compensation for you. Contact us today.