When you receive an injury while working, it is imperative you report the incident right away to your employer, seek immediate medical care and follow your treatment plan. Taking these first steps can significantly increase the chances of your workers’ compensation claim going through so you can receive benefits.
The benefits you are eligible for depend on the circumstances of your case. The following are the different benefit categories in Alaska.
- Temporary partial disability: This applies to when your injury affects how much you can work but does not prevent you from working altogether. You will recover and be able to work normally again. Financial benefits will only last until you heal, with a maximum of five years.
- Permanent partial impairment: This category covers injuries that are more severe and long lasting, such as an amputation. You receive a lump payment based on percentage of physical loss. If you are re-entering the workforce, payments will occur every two weeks instead.
- Temporary total disability: Some injuries are serious enough to totally disable you, but thankfully not for the rest of your life. You can receive benefits during your recovery.
- Permanent total disability: When you cannot work at all ever again due to the bodily harm you have sustained, you are eligible for long-term financial compensation. However, factors such as age, impairment, education, training abilities, industry and employment options all affect qualifying for this classification.
Depending on the nature of your accident and injuries, you may receive multiple benefits at once, though the amount of money will undergo reductions and adjustments. In addition, you may obtain medical benefits to pay for treatment and related expenses for up to two years, sometimes longer if necessary. If you are able to work again but not at your original place of employment, you can apply for reemployment benefits to pay for training you for another job.
