How Does Workers’ Compensation Address Permanent Partial Disabilities?

 Posted on December 14, 2021 in Workers' Compensation

Work-related injuries can occur in a variety of situations. Accidents can take place in the workplace, or a person may suffer from illnesses or health conditions caused by exposure to certain conditions or the ongoing strain placed on their body by work-related tasks or activities. In these cases, a person may qualify for workers’ compensation benefits, including coverage for their medical expenses and wage benefits that address their loss of income. When a work injury results in a permanent disability, the benefits a person can receive will depend on the parts of their body that were affected and the level of impairment they have experienced.

Permanent Partial Disability (PPD) Benefits

If a workplace injury results in the loss of a body part or any loss of use of one or more parts of the body, this is considered to be a permanent disability. Since only certain parts of the body will be affected, and a person will most likely retain some function in other parts of the body that will allow them to continue working in a position that fits their limitations, these are known as “partial” disabilities. Generally, if a person will permanently be unable to perform activities that they could do before they were injured, they will qualify for permanent partial disability (PPD) benefits.

In most cases, the amount of PPD benefits a person will be received is calculated by determining an appropriate number of weeks of pay based on the body part that was injured. The Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act details a “schedule” of injuries and the appropriate number of weeks of pay that may be paid for the loss of certain body parts. These include:

• Thumb - 76 weeks
• Index finger - 43 weeks
• Middle finger - 38 weeks
• Ring finger - 27 weeks
• Little finger - 22 weeks
• Hand - 205 weeks
• Arm - 253 weeks
• Amputation of arm above the elbow - 270 weeks
• Amputation of arm at the shoulder - 323 weeks
• Big toe - 38 weeks
• Any other toe - 13 weeks
• Foot - 167 weeks
• Leg - 215 weeks
• Amputation of leg above the knee - 242 weeks
• Amputation of leg at the hip - 296 weeks
• Hearing loss in one ear - 54 weeks
• Hearing loss in both ears - 215 weeks
• Eye - 162 weeks

If a body part was lost due to issues such as amputation or paralysis, a person will be eligible to receive benefits based on the total number of weeks of pay for that body part. However, in cases where a person experienced a partial loss of use of a body part, the applicable number of weeks of pay will be multiplied by the percentage of loss of use. For example, if a person suffered 50 percent hearing loss in one ear, they would receive 50 percent of 54 weeks or 27 weeks of pay.

Workers’ compensation will pay 60 percent of a person’s average weekly wage (AWW) for the appropriate number of weeks based on a permanent partial disability. AWW is the average gross income a person earned in the 52 weeks immediately prior to their injury. If the person in the example above earned an AWW of $1,500, they would receive 60 percent of this amount, or $900, for 27 weeks of pay, making for a total benefit of $24,300.

Contact Our Peoria Workers’ Compensation Disability Benefits Attorneys

If you have been injured while working and experienced disabilities, Kanoski Bresney can help you pursue a workers’ compensation claim to ensure that you receive the full amount of benefits you deserve. Contact our Springfield workers’ comp lawyers at 888-826-8682 to schedule your free consultation today.

Source:

https://www2.illinois.gov/sites/iwcc/Documents/handbook.pdf