Peer Review: The Virginia Workers’ Compensation Act allows for a review program in cases of disputes over compensation for medical providers. Hearings are held before doctors who also treat injured workers. The program is under the guidance of a committee appointed by the state legislature. This committed includes doctors, and representatives from the employee, employer, hospital and industry sectors. The program reviews the acceptable costs for treatments rendered. Virginia does not have its own medical fee schedule.
Permanent Partial Disability Benefits (PPD). Also referred to as Permanent Partial Impairment Benefits: These are separate benefits that are paid when an employee loses a body part such as a leg, arm, finger or foot. PPD can also include vision loss, hearing loss and disfigurement. It does not include the back, neck or body as a whole. These separate benefits are for a preset number of weeks depending on the severity of the loss of the body part. This loss is expressed as a rating by the doctor, which is put down as a percentage of impairment. Workers can receive PPD/PPI even if they have returned to work. Workers cannot get PPD and temporary total benefits at the same time and you cannot in any case receive in excess of 500 weeks. A skilled Virginia injured worker attorney will review this important concept with you. Watch this VIDEO to understand more about permanency ratings.
Permanent and Total Disability Benefits (PTD): Workers who lose both hands, arms feet, legs, eyes or a combination of two or who suffer a severe brain injury can get lifetime wages in additional to any temporary total disability benefits. Workers who are paralyzed can also get these benefits. “This benefit is paid at the conclusion of a 500-week award for temporary total disability benefits.” In other words, if awarded, you are looking at lifetime comp checks and of course a case that is worth substantially more money. If you have two injured ratable body parts, significantly affecting your ability to work, you may be looking at a potential permanent and total disability case.
Virginia Injured Worker’s Lawyer Joe Miller Advocates for Injured Workers
Joe Miller understands workers’ compensation issues. This includes permanent partial disability benefits and permanent and total disability benefits. He can explain the types of benefits you get for your specific injuries. He’s helped thousands of injured worker. Phone attorney Joe Miller at 888-694-1671 to make an appointment or complete his online form
