[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/www.sherrodandbernard.com\/blog\/workers-compensation-vs-disability-insurance\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/www.sherrodandbernard.com\/blog\/workers-compensation-vs-disability-insurance\/","headline":"Understanding Workers\u2019 Compensation vs. Disability Insurance","name":"Understanding Workers\u2019 Compensation vs. Disability Insurance","description":"A work-related injury or illness can affect your ability to do your job. Taking time off work while dealing with expensive medical bills can lead to economic strain. However,\u00a0workers\u2019 compensation\u00a0and disability insurance can provide sick and injured workers with the financial support they need for their medical expenses...","datePublished":"2022-12-12","dateModified":"2024-03-21","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.sherrodandbernard.com\/blog\/author\/johnsherrod\/#Person","name":"John Sherrod","url":"https:\/\/www.sherrodandbernard.com\/blog\/author\/johnsherrod\/","identifier":8,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/63ed235ae61137a2e8dec557ea4cd48dee882e0dc0bbcf9da6642f47d925925d?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/63ed235ae61137a2e8dec557ea4cd48dee882e0dc0bbcf9da6642f47d925925d?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Sherrod & Bernard, P.C.","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.sherrodandbernard.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/SB-Logo-1.png","url":"https:\/\/www.sherrodandbernard.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/SB-Logo-1.png","width":300,"height":109}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.sherrodandbernard.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/sad-disabled-man.jpg","url":"https:\/\/www.sherrodandbernard.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/sad-disabled-man.jpg","height":667,"width":1000},"url":"https:\/\/www.sherrodandbernard.com\/blog\/workers-compensation-vs-disability-insurance\/","video":{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"VideoObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=X23toflfd6U#VideoObject","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=X23toflfd6U","name":"What are workers' compensation benefits if I am hurt at work?","description":"The general rule is that you cannot sue your employer or a co-employee for personal injury. An injured worker is limited to collecting only workers' compensation benefits. What happens if a worker is hurt on the job by someone other than a co-employee or the employer? For example, what if an employee is required to drive as a part of this job? While on a work mission, the employee is hurt by random motorist running a red light. In that situation, the client would have two cases. \n\nFirst, there would be a personal injury case against the at fault driver for running a red light, but the worker would also have a workers compensation case since he was hurt while working for his employer. At Sherrod & Bernard, we handle workers' compensation and personal injury cases. Every injured worker who comes in our door, we look to see if they also have a personal injury case.","thumbnailUrl":["https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/X23toflfd6U\/default.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/X23toflfd6U\/mqdefault.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/X23toflfd6U\/hqdefault.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/X23toflfd6U\/sddefault.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/X23toflfd6U\/maxresdefault.jpg"],"uploadDate":"2019-04-05T23:35:20+00:00","duration":"PT1M18S","embedUrl":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/X23toflfd6U","publisher":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCNK4EK-AuNLyADEP1Gsgx7w#Organization","url":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCNK4EK-AuNLyADEP1Gsgx7w","name":"Sherrod and Bernard","description":"When you are in a legal bind, you need an experienced attorney you can count on to provide you with skilled representation and sound legal counsel. Every lawyer under the sun will tell you that he or she is the right person for the job, but you need a firm backed with a successful track record. You need the firm of Sherrod & Bernard, serving the Douglasville area.\n\nAfter attending the University of Georgia together, attorneys John Sherrod and Ken Bernard founded the law firm of Sherrod & Bernard, P.C. in 1992. From the very beginning, the goal of our firm has been to provide each and every client with the quality personal service and skilled representation they deserve. You can count on our work ethic and our commitment to our clients.\n\nYou need a highly skilled attorney to successfully resolve your legal issues. One of our lawyers can help. Schedule a free consultation by calling our Douglasville office at 770-920-8350.","logo":{"url":"https:\/\/yt3.ggpht.com\/uK-5K9pyHHwlk4D1Wclej9JOOudzsipnxVRsoc1u0fyFTl1Ykw0P1mMXhCw6PbtfZAwzpbuF_A=s800-c-k-c0x00ffffff-no-rj","width":800,"height":800,"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=X23toflfd6U#VideoObject_publisher_logo_ImageObject"}},"potentialAction":{"@type":"SeekToAction","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=X23toflfd6U#VideoObject_potentialAction","target":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=X23toflfd6U&t={seek_to_second_number}","startOffset-input":"required name=seek_to_second_number"},"interactionStatistic":[[{"@type":"InteractionCounter","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=X23toflfd6U#VideoObject_interactionStatistic_WatchAction","interactionType":{"@type":"WatchAction"},"userInteractionCount":465617}],{"@type":"InteractionCounter","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=X23toflfd6U#VideoObject_interactionStatistic_LikeAction","interactionType":{"@type":"LikeAction"},"userInteractionCount":23}]},"about":["Workers' Compensation"],"wordCount":1059,"articleBody":"A work-related injury or illness can affect your ability to do your job. Taking time off work while dealing with expensive medical bills can lead to economic strain. However,\u00a0workers\u2019 compensation\u00a0and disability insurance can provide sick and injured workers with the financial support they need for their medical expenses and to help make ends meet. Both replace part of an employee\u2019s lost wages for a specific duration.The primary differences between workers\u2019 compensation and disability insurance are who and what they cover. Workers\u2019 compensation benefits are available to covered workers who suffer job-related injuries and illnesses. Disability insurance covers qualifying medical conditions that prevent workers from earning their usual income.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWhat Is Workers\u2019 Compensation?Workers\u2019 compensation insurance provides benefits to employees who get hurt or sick while performing their job-related duties.\u00a0In Georgia,\u00a0workers\u2019 compensation laws\u00a0require employers with three or more employees to carry workers\u2019 compensation insurance. Benefits cover both part-time and full-time employees, including minors.The benefits available through workers\u2019 compensation include:Medical care\u00a0\u2013\u00a0Workers\u2019 comp\u00a0covers the costs of all necessary medical care, including surgery, physical therapy, hospitalization, and pharmaceutical prescriptions.Temporary total disability\u00a0\u2013\u00a0If you are temporarily unable to work in any capacity, you can receive TTD benefits. Payments are two-thirds of your average weekly wage before the accident, subject to a state-imposed cap.Temporary partial disability\u00a0\u2013\u00a0If you can work in some capacity, but at a lower rate, you can receive TPD benefits. Payments are two-thirds of the difference between your current average weekly wage and your pre-injury wage.Permanent disability\u00a0\u2013\u00a0Payments are two-thirds of your average weekly wage before the accident and last for a duration based on the affected body part.Benefits can also include reimbursing expenses such as meals, mileage, and lodging, which are necessary to receive quality treatment. Job retraining is available to employees whose injuries prevent them from returning to their same position.Death benefits are available to surviving dependents of the deceased worker. Coverage includes medical bills related to the final injury, up to $7,500 in funeral costs, and two-thirds of the deceased\u2019s average weekly wage, subject to a cap.What Is Disability Insurance?Disability insurance replaces part of a worker\u2019s lost income due to an illness or injury.\u00a0Workers\u2019 compensation\u00a0covers only conditions stemming from work-related tasks, while disability insurance covers injuries and illnesses on or off the job.Employers might offer short-term and long-term disability insurance. Short-term disability replaces a portion of an employee\u2019s base salary for a specified period of up to one year based on the policy terms. Long-term disability provides wage replacement benefits for longer than a year. Some offer lifetime coverage if a disability prevents the insured from maintaining employment.A common misconception about disability insurance is that you must have suffered a catastrophic injury, such as an amputated leg, to qualify. However, coverage is available for any condition preventing a person from working.What Is Social Security Disability (SSD)?The Social Security Administration helps those who can\u2019t work due to a qualifying medical condition. Those conditions include:Alzheimer\u2019s diseaseEpilepsyMultiple sclerosisBurn injuriesInflammatory bowel diseaseCoronary artery diseaseMultiple myelomaAutism spectrum disorderChronic kidney diseaseRheumatoid arthritisThyroid cancerAsthmaHIV.Social Security disability\u00a0is a federal program available to those who:Have a medical condition meeting the SSA\u2019s definition of disability.Paid Social Security taxes while working.Earned a specific number of work credits before applying for benefits.SSD pays eligible workers monthly at a rate determined by their number of years employed and average monthly earnings before getting hurt or sick.\u00a0Benefits can also extend to family members, such as:SpouseDivorced spouseChildrenAdult children younger than 22 with a disability.Monthly payments depend on the amount the employee receives for their disability. Each family member is eligible for up to 50 percent of the covered worker\u2019s disability benefits, with a family cap generally between 150 and 180 percent.What Is Individual Disability Insurance?Individual disability insurance provides an additional payment each month for covered disabilities. It supplements the benefits received from long-term disability (LTD) since it is subject to maximum benefit amounts. People with high salaries, or who depend on commissions or bonuses, can benefit from individual disability.You protect a more significant percentage of your earnings when you have coverage through an individual disability insurance plan. Your policy determines the duration of benefits. Some allow you to collect payments until you turn 65, or for life. Others limit the benefits period to between two and 10 years.You can continue receiving benefit payments if your injury or illness prevents you from working and meets the terms of your policy. However, some plans allow coverage even after returning to work.Can I Qualify for More than One Form of Coverage at the Same Time?You can qualify for SSD and workers\u2019 compensation benefits since they are separate types of coverage. Applying for one doesn\u2019t automatically exclude you from the other.The\u00a0Social Security Administration\u00a0limits monthly SSD payments if someone also collects workers\u2019 compensation benefits. Your total benefits cannot exceed 80 percent of your average current earnings (ACE) before getting sick or hurt. The SSA will use a formula to determine your ACE rate when you apply.Typically, workers\u2019 compensation payments don\u2019t change because of SSD. The benefits are reduced to meet the 80 percent limit.If your workers\u2019 compensation benefits change, you should notify the SSA. The administration must calculate your benefits to ensure you receive the appropriate payments. Forgetting to inform them can cause an overpayment, leading to suspended benefits to compensate for the overpaid benefits. However, the SSA won\u2019t reduce your SSD payments once you reach full retirement age.Get Help from an Experienced Georgia Workers\u2019 Compensation Lawyer TodayAt\u00a0Sherrod & Bernard, P.C., we have protected the rights of injured clients for more than 30 years. We understand the toll an injury or illness can take on you and your family. When you cannot work, you cannot afford your expenses. Treating an injury can be expensive and lead to debt if you cannot pay your bills.Disability insurance or workers\u2019 compensation benefits can provide the solution you need to get your finances in order. Call or contact us online for a free consultation to learn more about your available options.Visit Our Worker\u2019s Compensation Law Offices"},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Blog","item":"https:\/\/www.sherrodandbernard.com\/blog\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Understanding Workers\u2019 Compensation vs. Disability Insurance","item":"https:\/\/www.sherrodandbernard.com\/blog\/workers-compensation-vs-disability-insurance\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]