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Fort Lauderdale Workers' Compensation Lawyer > Blog > Workers' Compensation > Is Workers’ Compensation The Same Thing As Disability?

Is Workers’ Compensation The Same Thing As Disability?

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Anyone who has been injured at work can be in physical and emotional pain while feeling confused and frustrated about the best course of action for obtaining financial compensation. If you were recently injured on the job in an accident, or if you were recently diagnosed with a disabling illness or condition as a result of a workplace exposure, you are likely wondering about your options for getting medical care and paying your bills since you cannot earn a paycheck. Injured workers who conduct initial searches on the internet might see information about workers’ compensation benefits, and they also might find information about disability benefits through the Social Security Administration (SSA). It can be confusing to see information that appears to overlap, and sometimes to conflict. As such, we know that you may be wondering: is workers’ compensation the same thing as disability?

In short, the answer to that question is no. Workers’ compensation is a separate system from disability benefits, and our workers’ compensation lawyers in Pompano Beach can explain in more detail.

Workers’ Compensation Can Provide Payments Related to Disabling Injuries or Conditions But Is Separate from Disability Payments from the SSA or Private Insurers

 Workers’ compensation in Florida can provide medical coverage and wage replacement benefits to workers whose disabling injuries or illnesses arose out of their jobs. However, workers’ compensation coverage is distinct from what is often described as “disability benefits.”

When you read about disability payments or benefits, those usually refer to Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) payments or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments through the SSA, or disability payments from private insurance policies that are often through employers. These types of disability benefits are completely distinct from workers’ compensation coverage, although injured workers may be eligible for both workers’ compensation and one or more of these types of disability benefits depending upon the severity of the injury and the length of time it is expected to last.

Disability Schedules Through Workers’ Compensation Are Distinct from Disability Benefits from SSA or Private Insurers

 One of the reasons that workers frequently confuse workers’ compensation coverage and disability benefits is that the Florida workers’ compensation system does have a schedule for providing payments for disabilities, including permanent partial and permanent total disabilities. The compensation schedule connected to workers’ comp values the loss of use of (or complete loss of) certain limbs or other body parts based on the percentage loss.

This type of “disability” payment is also distinct from any payments a person might be eligible to receive from the SSA or from a private insurance that provides disability benefits through an employer or otherwise.

Contact a Pompano Beach Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Today 

If you suffered a disabling injury on the job in South Florida, or if you have been diagnosed with a disabling condition that arose out of your work or exposure at your job, you could be eligible to obtain workers’ compensation coverage. While you also may want to explore your options for disability benefits, you should know that medical coverage through the Florida workers’ compensation can be nearly immediate, and you can also receive wage replacement benefits quickly after becoming eligible for workers’ compensation. If you have questions or need assistance, an experienced Pompano Beach workers’ compensation attorney at the Law Offices of David M. Benenfeld, P.A. is here to assist you.

Sources:

myfloridacfo.com/division/wc

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