Per Florida Statute 440.15, all employers are legally obligated to provide disability benefits and long-term care, including medical expenses and lost wage replacement, for employees who sustain a severe injury in the workplace. Since injuries can occur in any industry, resulting in the temporary or permanent disability of an employee, Compensation Insurance Specialists encourages employers to ensure they have sufficient workers’ compensation coverage.
Can You Get Short-Term Disability and Workers Compensation At the Same Time?
Yes, an injured employee can receive benefits from both a private (STD) policy and an employer’s workers’ compensation policy. However, an individual can not collect more than their pre-injury income, so most private STD policies contain a provision that offsets or reduces the short-term disability payment by the amount you receive from workers’ compensation.
What Types of Disability Benefits Are Covered?
Florida’s workers’ compensation system provides several types of disability benefits, depending on the nature and severity of the injury. These include:
Temporary Total Disability (TTD):
This type of benefit is for employees who have an injury that makes them entirely unable to perform their duties for a temporary period. TTD benefits are typically two-thirds (66.67%) of the employee’s average weekly wage and can last for up to 104 weeks.
Temporary Partial Disability (TPD):
A partial disability applies to employees who can return to work but at a reduced capacity, earning less than their pre-injury wage. One example of this is a partially disabled bus driver who has been assigned to temporary desk duty. TPD benefits help supplement the employee’s income.
Permanent Partial Disability (PPD):
Also known as Impairment Benefits, this is for employees who have reached Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI), a point where their condition is stable and unlikely to improve significantly with further medical treatment, but they still have a permanent, lasting impairment. A doctor assigns an impairment rating, which is then used to calculate a one-time payment.
Permanent Total Disability (PTD):
This disability is for the most severe cases where an employee is permanently unable to work. PTD benefits are paid at the same rate as TTD but can last until the employee reaches age 75 or for life in some cases.
What Isn’t Covered?
There are certain costs and specific situations that a workers’ comp claim does not cover:
- Self-harm or injuries caused by the use of drugs or alcohol.
- Injuries that occur while an employee is not performing a work-related duty, such as driving to work or an off-site errand for personal reasons.
- You get ill at home or have pre-existing medical conditions.
Who is Eligible for Disability Benefits Under Workers’ Comp?
To be eligible for workers’ compensation disability benefits in Florida, an employee must meet specific criteria:
- First, the injury must have occurred on the job and be directly related to employment duties.
- Second, the employee must report the injury to their employer within 30 days of the incident.
- Finally, the employer must have a workers’ compensation policy in place, as required by Florida law.
How Workers Compensation Affects SSDI
An individual can receive both workers’ compensation benefits and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) at the same time. However, federal law limits the total amount an individual can receive from both programs. The total combined benefits cannot exceed 80% of the employee’s average current earnings before the injury. To ensure this limit is not exceeded, the Social Security Administration typically reduces the SSDI payment, known as a “workers’ compensation offset.”
Other Benefits
In addition to providing coverage for disability benefits, an employee claiming workers’ compensation may be eligible for other benefits, including:
- Medical Expenses: Covers 100% of all authorized, medically necessary treatment for a work-related injury.
- Lost Wage Replacement: Provides a portion of the employee’s average weekly wages if they are temporarily or permanently unable to work.
- Rehabilitation: Includes physical therapy, occupational therapy, and in some cases, vocational retraining.
Get Coverage for Employee Disability Benefits in Plant City, FL
Commercial Insurance Specialists is a Trusted Choice independent agency, which reflects our commitment to providing exceptional service and a broad range of insurance options, including coverage for disability benefits, lost wages, and more. We understand that every business is unique, which is why we offer custom solutions to fit your specific needs and budget. Our clients include contractors, professionals, service providers, and other businesses in Lakewood Ranch, Brandon, Land O Lakes, Spring Hill, and surrounding Gulf Coast and Central Florida communities.
Just give us a call or visit one of our offices in Tampa, Bartow, and Dade City. Our licensed independent agents will gladly find the best rates and coverage options for your business from highly rated insurance carriers. Contact CIS today for a free, no-obligation workers’ compensation insurance quote!
