What Kinds of Disability Benefits Can I Get Through Workers’ Compensation in Mississippi?

Workplace injuries can happen anywhere at any time, which is why it is important to be aware of and understand the types of disability benefits you can get through workers’ compensation in Mississippi. Our workers’ compensation lawyers at Merkel & Cocke, P.A. are educated and experienced when it comes to these types of benefits, and we can help guide you through the process. We will make sure everything goes as smoothly as possible and that you understand the different kinds of disability benefits offered through workers’ compensation.

When you are no longer able to work due to your injury, you may qualify for disability benefits. These benefits will help you stay afloat, pay for your medical expenses, and pay for your daily and monthly bills. The following are the different types of disability benefits for which you may be eligible:

Permanent partial disability

If your doctor states that your workload should be reduced, you may be eligible for permanent partial disability. Individuals who usually receive permanent partial disability typically cannot use certain parts of their bodies. When this happens, they may be able to receive two-thirds of their pay each week. The state of Mississippi will determine how long individuals will receive this disability benefit.

Permanent total disability

If your doctor states that you have a permanent disability and cannot work at all, you may be able to get permanent total disability. This will ensure that you receive two-thirds of your weekly income prior to your injury. Individuals can receive this benefit for up to 450 weeks.

Temporary partial disability

Sometimes, individuals become injured and can only return to work if they agree to work less hours than normal or take on a smaller workload. If your doctor states that you need to work less because of an injury, you may be able to receive temporary partial disability. This type of benefit provides individuals with two-thirds of the difference between their current income after the injury and their prior income before the injury.

Temporary total disability

Temporary total disability provides payment that covers two-thirds of your previous working wage before your injury occurred. These benefits will continue as long as one of the following things do not happen:

• You are able to go back to work like you did before you were injured
• Your doctor states that your injury or disability will not improve
• You have reached the maximum benefit amount for the set number of weeks

Are there additional benefits for injured workers in Mississippi?

In Mississippi, there are additional benefits for injured workers, including:

• Medical coverage: This covers doctor visits, hospital visits, travel to medical appointments, and prescriptions.
• Death benefits: If an individual’s spouse or family member died from an occupational injury or sickness, the death benefits will provide up to $5,000 to go toward funeral expenses.
• Training or retraining: When a person is no longer able to work in their current occupation due to their injury, they may be able to get training or retraining benefits to help them learn a new position or job.

What is workers’ compensation?

In the state of Mississippi, all employers with at least five employees are required to provide workers’ compensation insurance to their workers. To make a workers’ compensation claim, employees must let their employer know that they have been injured within the first 30 days of the injury.

If you are approved for workers’ compensation, it provides benefits for medical bills, wage loss, and permanent and temporary disability. There are other types of expenses that workers’ compensation may cover if they are related to your workplace injury. If you are wondering what types of injuries are covered, the answer is work-related injuries that gradually form over time, and traumatic injuries that unexpectedly happen from a sudden event.

What to do if your workers’ compensation benefits were denied

While most people think that workers’ compensation is easy and simple, it can become complicated. You must be careful when speaking to insurance companies and employers as they could be looking for loopholes to give you less compensation than you deserve. Keep in mind that anything you say could change your case and result in you not receiving your fair share.

It is not uncommon for your workers’ compensation to be denied, as your employer or insurance company may try to say that your injury was not work-related. If your workers’ compensation is denied, you may be able to appeal the decision. This process may take a long time, but you can increase your chances of being approved on appeal if you hire a Mississippi workers’ compensation lawyer. If you decide to file by yourself, you may risk being denied again.

Merkel & Cocke, P.A. ensures that your case will be handled with care and compassion as our legal professionals understand the overwhelming and stressful feelings that come with workers’ compensation claims. We will help you navigate the process and explain every step of the way, allowing you to focus on healing from your injuries and illnesses.

If you have been injured and are wondering what your workers’ compensation options are in the state of Mississippi, our lawyers at Merkel & Cocke, P.A. are here to assist you. We have offices in Jackson, Clarksdale, Greenville, and Oxford. Our team will stand by your side helping you understand your rights and the laws that surround these issues. For a free consultation, call our office or submit our contact form today, and we will get started on your case as quickly as possible.