If you have been injured on the job and are seeking to secure workers' compensation benefits, you more than likely have many questions. These questions may start with the benefits themselves. Perhaps you have seen various benefit acronyms (TTD, TPD, PTD, etc.) and were left wondering what they stood for, and whether or not you were even entitled to these benefits.

Today' post is the first in a series designed to provide a broad overview of workers' compensation benefits. It is provided for informational purposes only and is not to be construed as legal advice.

In general, workers' compensation benefits can be divided into two general categories: permanent and temporary. These two general categories can then be further subdivided into another two categories: partial and total.

Permanent
• Permanent Partial Disability (PPD)
• Permanent Total Disability (PTD)

Temporary
• Temporary Partial Disability (TPD)
• Temporary Total Disability (TTD)

Temporary Total Disability

What is TTD?

A temporary total disability is an injury that leaves an employee unable to perform any of his or her job functions for a short period of time. As implied by the name, the employee will eventually recover from their injury and return to their previous position. 

How is TTD paid?

In general, TTD payments are calculated by multiplying the average weekly wage of the injured employee (pre-tax) by two-thirds.

When do TTD payments start and stop?

According to the California Department of Industrial Relations:

"TD payments begin when your doctor says you can't do your usual work for more than three days or you get hospitalized overnight. Payments must be made every two weeks. Generally, TD stops when you return to work, or when the doctor releases you for work, or says your injury has improved as much as it's going to."

Please note, in California, you are eligible to receive 104 weeks of TTD payments within a period of five years (starting from the date of the injury).

Future posts will continue this general discussion of disability benefits ...

For answers to your questions or to learn more about workers' compensation, please contact an experienced legal professional.

Related Resources:
  
• Work Comp 101: Lost Time Indemnity Benefits Explained (WorkersCompensation.com)
• CHSWC Summary of System Changes in California Workers' Compensation (The California Commission on Health and Safety and Workers' Compensation)
• Answers to Frequently Asked Questions About Workers' Compensation For Employees (California Department of Industrial Relations)