If you suffer a workplace injury in Oklahoma, how does the law protect you? What kind of support can you expect? In this blog post, the Oklahoma workers’ compensation benefits attorneys at Ryan Bisher Ryan & Simons explain two key benefits: Temporary Total Disability (TTD) and Permanent Partial Disability (PPD). These terms might sound complicated and confusingly similar, but by learning a bit about them, you can better protect your rights after a workplace injury.
What Are Temporary Total Disability (TTD) Benefits?
The Oklahoma Workers’ Compensation Commission (WCC) has published a guide for injured workers explaining the benefits they may qualify for after a workplace accident. According to the guide, TTD workers’ comp benefits are for workers who can’t perform their job duties due to a work-related injury, as determined by their treating physician. The amount you can receive in TTD compensation is 70 percent of your average weekly wages, subject to a cap. Benefits kick in after the first three days of disability and can extend up to a certain number of weeks, depending on the injury date and severity. These benefits last for a maximum of 208 weeks.
What Are Permanent Partial Disability (PPD) Benefits?
PPD workers’ comp benefits in Oklahoma are for workers who can’t do the same job duties as before their injury but can still work in some capacity. These benefits are set at 70 percent of your average weekly wage, but there’s a cap of $360 per week for workplace injuries after July 1, 2021. Rates can vary based on the injury date, so it’s smart to check the Workers’ Compensation Commission’s benefit charts.
Sometimes, employers will provide permanent partial disability benefits as a lump sum instead of weekly. After reaching maximum medical improvement (the point at which further medical treatment will not meaningfully improve your condition), your treating physician will assess if there’s any permanent impairment from your injury.
Similarities and Differences Between TTD and PPD Benefits
Understanding the differences and similarities between TTD and PPD benefits in Oklahoma is crucial for workers who have sustained an on-the-job injury. Similarities include:
- Both TTD and PPD benefits provide financial support to injured workers.
- The compensation for both benefits is based on the worker’s average weekly wage, subject to specific caps.
However, there are differences as well:
- TTD benefits are for workers who are temporarily unable to work at all due to their injury. PPD benefits are for those who have a permanent impairment but can still work in some capacity.
- TTD benefits last until the worker can return to work or reaches maximum medical improvement. PPD benefits are based on the degree of permanent impairment assessed after reaching maximum medical improvement.
- PPD may be given as a lump sum, unlike TTD, which is typically a weekly benefit.
Contact Our Oklahoma Workers’ Compensation Attorney Today
The key to maximizing your workers’ compensation benefits after an on-the-job injury is to hire an experienced and dedicated attorney. The Oklahoma workplace injury lawyers at Ryan Bisher Ryan & Simons can handle all the legal details of your claim, gather evidence to support a persuasive case and represent you in any hearings or appeals to protect your rights. Call us today or complete our contact form for a free, no-obligation consultation about proceeding with an Oklahoma workers’ compensation claim.
We are Ryan Bisher Ryan & Simons, a legal firm that, for decades, has been fighting for the rights of hardworking Oklahoma residents. Our mission is to hold the powerful accountable.
