TTD benefits refer to a payment that employees receive to compensate for lost wages due to illness or injury. There are many such compensatory payments that the workers’ compensation laws of many states endorse. Some states, like Georgia, mandate every employer to carry out workers’ compensation insurance once they have three or more employees.
Workers’ compensation provides viable methods of protecting America’s workforce from financial hardship when they can no longer work. Work comp runs under a “no-fault” system that supports ill/injured workers regardless of fault. It also prevents employers from denying liability for workers’ injuries that arise from adverse work conditions.
However, work comp packages like TTD benefits aren’t mechanical. You must first access your situation to determine if you’re eligible for this type of compensation. So, what is TTD, and which class of injured employees does it cover? Let’s find out.
What Does TTD Mean?
Temporary disability benefits for injured employees fall under two categories — TTD is one of them. TTD is short for Temporary Total Disability. It’s paid to workers with occupational injuries and illnesses that temporarily prevent them from resuming work.
TTD laws and eligibility criteria vary among different states. For Georgia, you can start receiving Temporary Total Disability benefits if you meet these conditions:
- You sustained an injury or fell ill on the job
- Your employer got the accident report promptly (typically within 30 days from the accident date)
- Your doctor verifies that you are temporarily disabled
- You’re unable to work for a minimum of seven days.
Temporary Total Disability covers two-thirds of your weekly earnings before you had the injury. However, regardless of your wages, you can only receive a TTD maximum of $675 and a minimum of $50 per week. You will continue receiving this payment until:
- Your resume work
- The treating doctor certifies that you have reached MMI (Maximum Medical Improvement)
- You’ve received benefits for up to 400 weeks
You could receive TTD for longer than usual if you sustained a catastrophic injury. Catastrophic injuries involve severe spine, spinal cord, or brain injuries. If you don’t completely heal from a temporary disability, you may consider applying for Permanent Partial Disability.
How Can I File for Temporary Total Disability Benefits in Georgia?
To begin your claims process, obtain a Form WC-14 from the State Board of Workers’ Compensation (SBWC). You can also dial (404) 656-3818 if you’re in the metro Atlanta dialling area. If you’re outside the metro Atlanta area, call 1-800-533-0682.
Alternatively, obtain the form from the State Board of Workers’ Comp website or write to them at:
State Board of Workers’ Compensation
270 Peachtree Street, NW
Atlanta, GA 30303-1299.
If the compensation board denies your claim, you can request a hearing by an Administrative Law Judge. The judge will access your claim’s facts and circumstances and determine if you’re entitled to TTD.
What’s the Difference Between TTD and TPD?
You run the risk of a failed application if you file for the wrong temporary disability benefit. Many employees find it challenging to distinguish TTD from TPD. This confusion arises because both services apply to employees who suffer some form of temporary disability.
TPD, however, means Temporary Partial Disability. The significant difference between this temporary disability benefit and Temporary Total Disability depends on the capacity you resume work in. With TTD, you can return to your duties just as they were before the accident.
However, with TPD, you can only resume work in a modified capacity. You can receive TPD benefits for a maximum of 350 weeks in Georgia at $383 per week.
Do I Need a Work Comp Lawyer?
Filing for Temporary Total Disability benefits isn’t a walk in the park. Factoring in the fact that you may have to undergo the process while still healing makes it very daunting. You need help to get it done right, and work comp lawyers will provide the assistance you need.
If your employer denies your claim, you need an attorney to represent you at the hearing. Your work comp lawyers will help you defend your requests correctly. They will ensure that all your rights are protected, too.
Contact a Georgia Work Comp Attorney Today for Help
At Calvin Smith Law, our workers’ comp lawyers don’t play. We unwaveringly focus on the prime task of helping injured employees get the compensation they deserve. We’ve successfully worked with numerous clients in the past, and they’ve expressed 100% satisfaction with the quality of our services.
Like them, you deserve the best representation for your work comp claims. Avoid wasting time by scheduling a consultation with us today.
