Difference between revisions of "Introduction to Compensation Claims for Injured Workers (7:III)"

#The worker suffers a broken wrist in his dominant hand and cannot perform his job duties as a result. His doctor recommends a certain number  of weeks to recover after which he is cleared to return to work (RTW) full duties. The worker makes an application for compensation. If his claim is accepted, the Board sets a short-term wage rate (STWR) on his claim (based on his average earnings) and the worker is paid temporary wage loss benefits (TWL) at this rate for his days of lost work. The Board also covers any health care costs such as treatment or medication. If there are no permanent medical consequences to this injury and the worker returns to work full duties, the Board issues a decision that the  injury is “resolved” and his claim is closed. The worker is not referred for any other benefits such as Disability Awards (DAs) or Vocational Rehabilitation (VR).

#The worker suffers a more serious injury to his hand (e.g. a crush injury). If his claim is accepted, he again receives TWL for his time away from work. However, after 10 weeks, the Board issues a new long-term wage rate (LTWR) based on a more complex formula in law and policy. At  some point, the Board considers that the worker’s condition is no longer “temporary” and must make one of the following decisions about the  worker’s medical condition. Either:  

#*a. His injury has “'''resolved'''” with no permanent impairment and he can RTW and perform full duties. In this case (as above), the Board will  issue a “resolve” decision ending his TWL benefits and his file will be closed; or