Benefits Available Under Utah Work Comp Law
Workers' compensation benefits are limited by Utah law, therefore, it is important that the adjuster properly pays all of the benefits owed.
Medical Expenses: All medical expenses related to the injury are to be paid. Make sure the adjuster receives all bills, even those that have been denied, within one year of the treatment. Legal action can be taken on any unpaid bills as long as they were submitted to the adjuster within a year.
Mileage: Mileage to and from the doctor's office should be promptly reimbursed upon request. Reimbursement is currently 51.5 cents per mile. The amount is adjusted every July 1st.
Temporary Total Disability: TTD is payment for time off work when a doctor's restrictions prevent work. It is paid at two thirds of the normal wage, up a maximum of the state average weekly wage, until medical stability or Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI). If the adjuster is using an average wage or otherwise reducing benefits, contact an attorney for specific advice.
Temporary Partial Disability: Compensation for reduced wages during light duty is TPD. TPD is paid at two thirds of the lost pay, up to a maximum of the state average weekly wage, until MMI is reached.
Permanent Partial Disability: Impairment ratings are compensation for the permanent injury caused by the industrial accident. The rating must be done by a doctor. If it is not done by the treating physician, be sure to discuss potential problems with an attorney.
Permanent Total Disability: If the injury is permanent and prevents return to any past work the injured worker has ever done, PTD provides retraining and, potentially monetary benefits for life. These are complicated claims. Contact an attorney if this situation might apply in your case.
Death Benefits: If an injury results in death, burial benefits as well as ongoing weekly benefits paid to dependants (spouse and children under 18, but other dependant situations can occur).
Interest: 8% simple interest per annum accumulates on unpaid benefits.
Failure to pay the proper benefit rate is a common error. If an adjuster is using an average wage or other methods that reduce your payments, contact us. Benefits should be paid based on what you would have earned the week of the injury if the accident had not interviened. You can find all of the possible methods in the statute, here.
A few other important statutes can be found here: PPD statute; TTD statute; and the permanent total disability statute which also outlines vocational rehabilitation issues.
Guide Directory
