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There are instances when a worker receiving workers' compensation decides to retire. Such a person should speak to a workers' compensation lawyer before taking this step. Depending on the work-related injury, they may lose their benefits when they stop working, especially by voluntary retirement.
Furthermore, there are several reasons the worker may not be ready to lose their benefit. Most times, they are medical bills related.
A workers' compensation lawyer is the best person to advise a person thinking of retirement. They understand how the benefits law works and can help the worker make the best decision depending on their situation.
Larrimer & Larrimer has been fighting for injured workers for years. We have the best workers compensation attorneys in Columbus that can help such workers. Our law firm is always ready to offer legal assistance to workers concerning their injury benefits.
Workers looking to retire should reach out as soon as possible to ensure they take the right steps.
Retiring on Workers' Compensation Benefits - What to Know
There are certain things that an injured worker looking to retire while on workers' compensation should first know. This will prevent them from messing up their retirement benefits.
Retiring Doesn't Cancel Medical Bill Payments for a Workplace Injury
The workers' compensation insurance should cover the treatment of work-related injuries. What happens in the workplace doesn't affect the payment by the insurance company. Provided the treatment is still related to an injury sustained on the job, they have no option but to pay.
If the employer foots these medical expenses, it should continue even after the victim retires. The only part of a workers' comp benefit likely to be affected by their retirement is the payment for lost wages.
Retirement Doesn't End Workers' Comp Benefits
Does a worker receive all their workers' compensation benefits after retirement? This depends on the type of benefit they were getting. These are categorized as temporary disability benefits and permanent disability benefits.
Temporary Disability Benefits
A person is said to be temporarily disabled if they can't work in the same capacity as they could until they recover. There are workers' comp benefits for victims in such situations. They support these individuals till they can get back to work. A person receiving temporary disability benefits might lose them when they retire.
Permanent Disability Benefits
Permanent disability is usually a loss of limb or brain injury a person develops from a workplace injury. Workers' compensation benefits for such situations continue for a lifetime since the victim may never work again. These people deserve wage loss benefits and coverage for future medical bills.
Often, such disabilities mean involuntary retirement and don't affect workers' compensation.
Our firm offers a free consultation for workers nearing retirement age and collecting workers' comp benefits. We assign an experienced workers' compensation attorney to give them the best legal counsel on what to do next.
Recover from Initial Injury Before Retirement
An injured person receiving certain workers' compensation benefits should wait to recover before making a retirement decision. The workers' compensation system can be complicated. Without the appropriate financial safety net, voluntary retirement can be a nightmare.
Waiting to heal also helps a person determine the type of work-related injury they have. A doctor can only classify the work injury or illness at a certain recovery stage. Imagine that an employee decides to retire voluntarily thinking they have a temporary disability, only to get totally disabled later. How will such a person now seek benefits for their permanent disability rating? A workers' compensation claim of this sort can be difficult. They should wait to see maximum medical improvement before making their retirement decision. This allows them to also know the physician's prescribed treatment plan which is vital to a workers' compensation case.
Get a Free Consultation From an Experienced Workers Comp' Benefits Lawyer
Before moving forward with retirement plans, workers should contact a workers' comp lawyer for advice on how they can continue receiving disability benefits when they stop working. The situation may be easier for involuntary retirement since they can still hold an insurance carrier liable for medical expenses related to the injury.
Call us at (614) 820-1855 to schedule an initial consultation with an outstanding workers' compensation attorney. This lawyer will guide the injured worker through the required paperwork and correct legal processes. They can also help address other significant questions, including how does a workers comp claim affect future employment and if one can sue an employer for putting them in danger.
Our offices are open to anyone seeking to retire without problems.