Were you hurt while on the job in South Carolina? If you were forced to miss time, you have the right to seek workers’ comp benefits to help account for your loss of income/earnings. There are different types of wage replacement benefits through workers’ comp in South Carolina, including temporary total disability (TTD) and permanent partial disability (PPD). Here, our Lexington workers’ comp lawyer explains the key things to understand about the differences between TTD benefits and PPD benefits in South Carolina.
Understanding Temporary Total Disability (TTD) Benefits
Temporary Total Disability (TTD) benefits provide wage replacement to workers who are completely unable to work for a limited time due to a job-related injury. In South Carolina, these benefits typically equal two-thirds of the worker’s average weekly wage. Though there is a state-mandated maximum benefit. TTD ends when the worker recovers enough to return to work or when he or she otherwise reaches maximum medical improvement (MMI).
Here is the key point to remember: Under South Carolina Code § 42-9-200, an injured employee is entitled to TTD compensation when a treating physician, authorized by the employer or their carrier, takes the employee out of work entirely or places work restrictions that the employer cannot accommodate. Payments begin after a seven-day waiting period. With that being said, if the worker remains out for more than 14 days, retroactive benefits will then be paid for the initial waiting period.
Understanding Permanent Partial Disability (PPD) Benefits
Permanent Partial Disability (PPD) benefits compensate workers who suffer a lasting impairment to a specific body part but can still work in some capacity. The amount is based on the severity of the impairment and which body part was injured. There is a “schedule” for determining the value of PPD benefits under South Carolina law. Notably, PPD workers’ comp benefits are only paid after the worker reaches maximum medical improvement.
PPD benefits are calculated as roughly two-thirds of the worker’s average weekly wage, multiplied by the statutory number of weeks associated with the injured body part and the disability rating. PPD will also be adjusted based on the impairment or disability rating. For example, loss of use of a hand entitles the worker to compensation for up to 185 weeks (South Carolina Code § 42-9-30(14)).
If a worker is rated with a 50% loss of use of the hand, they would receive 92.5 weeks of compensation at the applicable rate. It’s important to note that impairment and loss of use could be different depending on the individual worker’s circumstances. An experienced workers’ compensation attorney can help you navigate this difficult issue.
What are the Differences Between TTD and PPD in South Carolina?
There are important differences between TTD benefits and PPD benefits. Here are three of the most important things that workers in South Carolina should know about the differences:
- The Timing of Benefits: TTD benefits are paid during the recovery period when the injured worker is temporarily unable to work. These benefits start after a seven-day waiting period and continue until the worker reaches maximum medical improvement (MMI). In contrast, PPD benefits only begin after the worker has reached MMI and a permanent impairment has been determined. A worker may qualify for both, but PPD benefits are generally paid only after TTD benefits have ended.
- The Purpose of Benefits: TTD is designed to replace lost wages while a worker heals and cannot return to any form of employment. Its focus is on temporary inability to work, not long-term consequences. On the other hand, PPD compensates for the permanent loss of function or use of a body part. Even if the worker can still do some kind of job, they may still qualify for PPD benefits.
- The Method of Calculation: In South Carolina, TTD is calculated as roughly two-thirds of the worker’s average weekly wage and is subject to a maximum cap, and paid weekly. PPD is also paid at roughly two-thirds of the average weekly wage, but the total amount depends on the scheduled value of the injured body part and the percentage of disability. There is a more complicated calculation. Remember, PPD benefits are designed to reflect the permanent impact of the injury, not just time missed from work.
Temporary Total Disability: Examples
Job-related accidents happen. Unfortunately, they are part of life. The South Carolina Occupational Safety and Health Administration (SC OSHA) reports that approximately 30,000 people are hurt at work in the state each year. In many cases, workers who were hurt on the job in South Carolina are eligible for TTD benefits. Here are some examples of cases in which TTD benefits may be paid:
- Imagine that a warehouse worker in Lexington suffers a severe ankle fracture after a pallet collapses. Her doctor orders her to stay completely off work for 10 weeks. As a result, she receives TTD benefits equal to roughly two-thirds of her average weekly wage.
- Another example would be a construction worker in Mauldin falling from a scaffolding and suffering a back injury. His authorized physician prohibits him from working for six weeks while he undergoes physical therapy. During this period, he qualifies for TTD benefits.
How Our South Carolina Work Injury Lawyers Can Help
Hurt on the job in Lexington, Mauldin, or elsewhere in the surrounding area in South Carolina. It is crucial that you are able to secure all available financial benefits. Depending on the severity of your injuries, you may be able to recover TTD benefits and/or PPD benefits. Do not rely on any insurance company to look out for your best interests. At Smith & Jones Law, LLC, we put injured workers first.
Our case results tell the story of what we can do for injured workers. Your initial consultation with our South Carolina workers’ comp lawyer is free, confidential, and without further obligation.
Schedule Your Free Consultation With Our South Carolina Attorneys Today
At Smith & Jones Law, LLC, our South Carolina work injury lawyer has the experience that you can count on when it matters most. If you have any questions about TTD benefits or PPD benefits, we are here as a resource. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation case review.
With law offices in Lexington and Mauldin, we handle work injury claims throughout the region in South Carolina.