At Belt, Bruner, & Barnett P.C., our workers’ compensation lawyers in Alabama understand the constant worry and fear you face after a workplace accident and how important it is to have your questions answered as soon as possible. If you are the breadwinner for your family, you may be particularly concerned with how much your workers’ comp benefits will cover and whether it will be enough. We will help you find out.
If you were recently injured at work, you probably have a lot of questions like How does workers’ comp pay? Will your benefits cover all of your medical expenses? Will they cover all the paychecks you are going to lose while you are receiving medical care and recovering? Are you going to have to dip into savings to make ends meet? Your questions may feel never-ending.
While our experienced work injury lawyers cannot give you a specific amount off the top of our heads, we can carefully review your situation, explain your potential benefits, and discuss how much they may be worth. We can also review whether you should move forward with receiving on-going benefits or whether a workers’ comp settlement might be right for you. Call us today at (205) 933-1500.
Alabama Workers’ Compensation Benefits
If you are covered by workers’ compensation in Alabama and you are injured at work, then you may be eligible to receive compensation for:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Loss of use of a body part
- Temporary or permanent partial disability
- Temporary or permanent total disability
Calculating Income Benefits
You will receive temporary total disability benefits, also called income benefits, while you are unable to work. To calculate your income benefits, usually paid weekly or bi-weekly, you must first determine your average weekly earnings for the previous 52 weeks. Your employer will do this for you. However, you should have an experienced workers’ comp lawyer perform this calculation too in case there are discrepancies. Next, you multiply your average weekly earnings by 66 2/3 percent. So long as the resulting amount is neither less than Alabama’s minimum allowable weekly compensation nor more than the maximum allowable weekly benefits, then you will receive that amount each week in place of your lost wages.
If two-thirds of your average weekly benefits are less than the state’s minimum, then you will receive 100 percent of your average weekly earnings each week. If they are greater than the state’s maximum, then you will only receive up to the maximum amount.
Permanent or Temporary Partial Disability
You may be able to return to work at some point yet have to remain on light duty or at part-time. While you are working yet not entirely healed, you may be eligible for temporary partial disability benefits. If you face having a permanent disability and reduced earning potential because of it, you may seek permanent partial disability payments.
Temporary partial disability payments are 66 2/3 percent of the difference between your earnings at the time of your injury and the earnings you make now at your restricted capacity. You will need to calculate your average weekly earnings at the time of your injury and your average weekly income now, while on light duty or part-time. You will calculate the difference then multiply it by 66 2/3 percent. While your employer will perform this calculation, you have the right to have your own workers’ comp lawyer look this over.
For permanent partial disability, you can receive up to $220 per week. However, the amount you are entitled to will depend on a number of factors. You should speak with your workers’ compensation attorney about this type of workers’ comp benefit.
Contact an Alabama Workers’ Comp Lawyer for Help
If you or your spouse was injured at work, contact an experienced workers comp attorney as soon as possible. If you are covered by workers’ comp insurance, then you have to follow specific rules and procedures to obtain the benefits you are entitled to under the law. However, if you are not covered, you will need to look to legal alternatives to receive the compensation you need.
If you or a loved one were injured in a devastating accident, call the Alabama work injury lawyers from Belt, Bruner, & Barnett P.C. at (205) 933-1500 or use our online form. We offer a case evaluation free of charge and are ready to help you obtain full compensation for your losses. With offices in Birmingham, Mobile, Huntsville, and Montgomery, our workers compensation attorneys will quickly travel to investigate your case.
