How Permanent Total Disability Benefits Work in California?

Suffering an injury at work is among the worst things that could happen to an employee. These injuries are usually hard to deal with, and most of them will cause some sort of setback. However, one way of dealing with these injuries is by filing a workers compensation claim. To do so, simply notify your superiors right after getting injured and ask them to file a claim on your behalf.

But, not all injuries are the same. Some injuries could have a long lasting effect on a person and prevent them from working or enjoying life. These injuries are usually related to disabilities.

If you have been permanently disabled by a work-related injury, you are eligible to seek workers compensation benefits (maybe even a pension) to help you with your everyday life. Here is how permanent total disability benefits work in California.

Know The Basics

Every work-related injury could be caused by a single event. These events usually involve:

• Slip and fall
• Burns
• Poison exposure
• Exposure to radiation
• Electrocutions

If the person is lucky enough to survive, he or she could be left with a disability. There are 4 types of disabilities:

• Temporary total
• Temporary partial
• Permanent partial
• Permanent total

Permanent total disability occurs when a worker has received an injury which cannot be cured. This injury prevents the worker from performing the same type of work as before the injury. The injured individual is eligible to file a claim and obtain disability benefits. These benefits will help the individual by providing him with a percentage of their average weekly payment for the rest of their life (usually around 66 percent of the average weekly payment).

Note: in some states, these benefits terminate when the person reaches the official retirement age. Be sure to talk with disability benefits attorneys in Los Angeles and seek their legal advice and guidance.

Life Pension

Some injured individuals obtain a life pension. This is a set amount of money that the injured individual will receive periodically (usually once or twice a month), and that will help the injured individual with their costs of living. Sometimes, this amount could increase if the injured individual’s costs of living increase.

At the same time, the disabled individual can also obtain continuing medical benefits. These involve getting:

• New hearing aids (if your injury resulting in a hearing loss)
• New walking aid (if your injury prevents you from walking)
• New prosthetic devices (if your injury caused you to lose a limb)

Once your claim is successful, you will receive a notice that you have been awarded a lifetime pension. Be sure to contact your attorney as soon as you receive the injury to start the process as quickly as possible. You will be left without any income, so getting your compensation quickly could be critical for you and your family members.

If you do not have an attorney on speed dial, why not give the Los Angeles disability benefits attorneys at Law Offices of Kropach & Kropach a call? They will help evaluate your case, file all paperwork on your behalf and do everything for free (initially), only charging you for their services once you obtain your compensation.

Do the right thing for yourself and your family. Call our attorneys today, and let us help you secure your disability benefits.