Experienced NYC | Brooklyn | Queens | Bronx Workers’ Compensation Attorneys
Permanently Partially Disabled or Permanently Totally Disabled?
When you’ve been hurt on the job, and your injury is clearly permanent, requiring ongoing treatment for the rest of your life, the workers’ compensation board will have to make a decision as to how you will be classified—are you permanently partially disabled, or are you permanently totally disabled?
It’s important to understand that, until 2007, when a person was classified as permanently partially disabled (the vast majority of permanently injured workers are classified this way), that worker would be entitled to a weekly check for the rest of his life. In 2007, though, the state legislature increased the amount of permanent partial disability payments, but put a cap of 10 years on the award.
The change in the law, though, only applies to permanent partial disability. Under the law as revised, if you suffer injuries that render you permanently totally disabled, such that you cannot work in any capacity, you are still entitled to receive workers’ compensation benefits for the rest of your life. This provision recognizes that a permanently totally disabled person will likely be unable to engage in any gainful employment for the rest of his or her life.
Permanently Partially Disabled or Permanently Totally Disabled?
Queens | Brooklyn | NYC | Bronx Workers Compensation Attorneys
At Pyrros & Serres LLP, we provide comprehensive counsel to people with workers’ compensation and Social Security disability claims in Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx and across the greater New York City metropolitan area. Because of our reputation for effective advocacy, many of our new clients come to us as referrals from clients and other lawyers.
To learn more about the full scope of our practice, see our practice area overview page.
Pyrros & Serres LLP
Queens | NYC | Brooklyn | Bronx Workers’ Compensation Attorneys