What is the Difference Between Permanent and Partial Disability?

    ORLANDO, FL, October 02, 2011 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Being injured at work or becoming ill due to the type of work that you do can be stressful and even frightening. Often times, the "breadwinner" of the family will get injured on the job or fall ill due to his/her work and not be able to work, leaving them fearful of how to provide for their loved ones or themselves. Regardless of whether or not you have others to support, not having any income coming in is a scary experience, but please know that there are government programs out there specifically designed to help those who have become injured on the job.

Workers' Compensation, sometimes referred to Workman's Compensation, is a government program that provides financial compensation to those men and women injured on the job and unable to work. If you find yourself injured or sick and unable to work, you should contact a Workman's Compensation lawyer immediately as there are deadlines in filing that must be met; one missed deadline can result in benefits being delayed or altogether denied.

The Workers' Compensation system is not what you would call "user friendly." The paperwork is immense and confusing, the wording on the documents will make your head spin, and the requirements to file for benefits are endless. For these reasons, it is highly recommended that you seek out the assistance of an experienced Workers' Compensation lawyer before you file on your own. A staggering number of applicants are denied the first time. Several are denied benefits on their second filing, and many are even denied their third and fourth times applying for benefits.

The degree of your disability is also very important in deciding what benefits you will receive. There are varying degrees of disability including permanent and partial disability. Temporary Total Disability refers to workers who have injuries severe enough to prevent them from doing their job, but only temporarily. Permanent Total Disability describes workers who are disable and unable to return to any type of work. This type of disability usually gives workers benefits for life equal to two-thirds of their previous income. Permanent Partial Disability is the term used for people who have an illness or injury that permanently limits them in some way but may allow them to return to some type of job eventually.

Workers' Compensation lawyers understand the system inside and out. They know how to deal with the bureaucratic red tape often involved in these claims. They know how confusing and intimidating the paperwork and deadlines can be. No lawyer would recommend that you take on the Workman's Compensation system alone. It's a losing fight, really.

If you have suffered a permanent or partial disability due to a work-related accident, please visit the website of The Cochran Firm South Florida today where our Workman's Compensation attorneys can advise you on how to proceed to get the maximum benefits allowable by law at http://www.cochranfirmsouthflorida.com.

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