If you suffer an injury while working, you may worry about paying your bills and getting the medical care you need. Fortunately, workers’ compensation laws in Maine are designed to provide the resources you need during this difficult time.
Depending on the circumstances of your injury, you may qualify for medical coverage, lost wages and other critical support. Knowing what benefits are available is an important first step toward your recovery and safe return to work.
Medical expense coverage
You may be entitled to full coverage for reasonable and necessary medical treatments related to your work injury. This includes:
- Doctor visits
- Hospital care
- Prescription medications
- Surgery
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation
Your employer has the right to pick your healthcare provider for the first 10 days of treatment. After that initial period, you may switch to one of your own choosing and continue receiving medical care from them.
Wage replacement benefits
If your injury prevents you from earning full wages, you can seek indemnity benefits. In Maine, you may receive temporary total disability (TTD) benefits if you cannot work at all. This usually amounts to two-thirds of your average weekly wage (AWW) paid for the entire duration of your disability.
When you can work but earn less because of your injury, you may qualify for temporary partial disability (TPD) benefits. This usually pays about two-thirds of the difference between what you made before the injury and what you can earn now.
Disability support
When your work accident leaves you with permanent or long-term limitations, you may qualify for additional compensation. In Maine, your partial incapacity benefits have a general cap of 624 weeks for injuries after January 1st, 2020. This duration remains fixed regardless of the nature of your disability level. However, your payments will depend on the severity of your physical loss of function and your remaining earning capacity.
Vocational rehabilitation aid
Sometimes, your injury prevents you from returning to your old job. In these situations, you may receive support while undergoing job retraining or seeking education to return to a suitable employment.
Death benefits
In cases where a workplace accident results in death, surviving dependents may claim benefits to help cover financial losses. These support measures include wage replacement, funeral and burial costs coverage and a separate payment made to the worker’s estate.
Safeguard your health and livelihood
While you can claim different workers’ compensation benefits, the exact type and amount you receive largely depends on the facts of your case. A lawyer can help by reviewing your claim’s specifics to better advocate for the support you deserve.