If you suffered an injury during a workplace accident, you may be able to seek workers’ compensation benefits to cover your medical bills and lost wages. Compensation for future disabilities is complex and involves many factors. So, how long can you draw workers’ compensation in Virginia? Continue reading below to learn the factors impacting how long you can receive workers’ compensation benefits.
Maximum Workers’ Compensation Benefit Payouts in Virginia
As a general rule of thumb, the longest you can continue receiving payouts for a workers’ compensation claim is 500 weeks, approximately 9.5 years. Workers’ comp insurance providers organize claims into categories depending on the injury type, severity, and longevity. The length of time you can receive benefits will depend on the category of your claim.
Factors Impacting How Long You Can Receive Workers’ Compensation
The main factor impacting your payout duration is your injury extent. Review the following injury categories to understand potential benefit expectations:
- Temporary partial disability: If you suffer a minor injury that still allows you to work part-time, you may receive approximately two-thirds of the difference between your former paycheck and your current one. After you return to full-time work, you will stop receiving these funds.
- Temporary total disability: If your injury prevents you from working at all for a set period, you may receive up to two-thirds of your prior income until your doctor clears you to work again.
- Permanent partial disability: If you suffer an injury that leaves you permanently impaired, though still able to work partially, you may receive benefits based on your doctor’s impairment rating.
- Permanent total disability: If you suffer a severe permanent injury that prevents you from ever returning to work, you may receive benefits according to Virginia’s body part loss policies.
Virginia’s Body Part Loss Benefit Durations
How long can you draw workers’ compensation in Virginia if you permanently lose a body part? Your healthcare professional will assign a percentage to your severity describing your mobility and function, though the standard durations are as follows:
- Arm: 200 weeks
- Hand: 150 weeks
- Thumb: 60 weeks
- Finger: 35 weeks
- Leg: 175 weeks
- Foot: 125 weeks
- Big toe: 30 weeks
- Vision: 100 weeks
- Hearing: 50 weeks
Note that the above figures only display averages, and many exceptions can alter the actual benefits you receive. For example, you may receive 35 weeks of benefits after losing a finger, but the duration decreases if you lose another finger. Additionally, certain fingers have longer average benefit durations than others.
Will Working Terminate My Benefits?
Returning to work may terminate your benefits, though it depends on the type of workers’ compensation you receive. For example, if you file a temporary partial disability claim for the difference in your paycheck as a part-time employee, you may continue working part-time. Once you reassume the full-time position, you will stop receiving funds.
Geoff McDonald & Associates Can Help You Understand Your Options
How long can you draw workers’ compensation in Virginia? Understanding your options can feel challenging with so many complex factors at play.
At Geoff McDonald & Associates in Virginia, we can help you move forward from your workplace accident. Our experienced workers’ compensation attorneys understand how to protect your rights and help you seek maximum compensation for your suffering.
If you suffered a workplace injury, call Geoff McDonald & Associates in Virginia, at (804) 888-8888 to discuss your claim with our experienced team.
