After a workplace injury, one of the first questions injured workers ask is how long their workers’ compensation benefits will last. Medical bills, missed paychecks, and uncertainty about the future can create stress for workers and their families. Unfortunately, the answer is not always simple, because the length of workers’ compensation benefits in Louisiana depends on the type of injury, the severity of the condition, and the worker’s ability to return to employment.
At Sarphie Law, we help injured workers in Metairie, Louisiana understand how long benefits may continue and what factors can cause benefits to stop or change.
Workers’ compensation in Louisiana is designed to provide medical treatment and wage replacement benefits to employees who are injured on the job. These benefits are available regardless of fault, but they are not unlimited.
The duration of benefits depends on the specific category of benefits being paid. Medical benefits and wage benefits are treated differently under Louisiana law.
Medical benefits are one of the most important parts of a workers’ compensation claim. In Louisiana, medical benefits generally continue for as long as treatment is reasonably necessary and related to the workplace injury.
Medical benefits may include:
There is no fixed time limit on medical benefits. As long as treatment is necessary to address the work-related injury, the employer or insurance company is typically responsible for covering those costs.
However, disputes can arise over whether ongoing treatment is truly necessary, which is where legal guidance can be important.
Temporary Total Disability benefits, often called TTD benefits, are paid when an injured worker is unable to work at all due to their injury.
These benefits generally last until one of the following occurs:
Maximum medical improvement refers to the point at which a worker’s condition has stabilized and is unlikely to improve further with treatment.
TTD benefits are typically paid at a percentage of the worker’s average weekly wage, subject to state limits.
Temporary Partial Disability benefits may apply when a worker can return to work in a limited capacity but earns less than they did before the injury.
These benefits help bridge the gap between pre-injury wages and reduced post-injury earnings. Temporary partial benefits may continue as long as the worker remains partially disabled and unable to earn their full pre-injury wages.
However, these benefits are subject to time limits and wage calculations that can become complex.
Permanent Partial Disability benefits are paid when a worker has a lasting impairment but is still able to work in some capacity. These benefits are often based on a medical impairment rating assigned by a doctor.
Examples of injuries that may qualify include:
Permanent partial benefits may last for a specific number of weeks depending on the type of injury and impairment rating.
Permanent Total Disability benefits apply when a worker is unable to engage in any gainful employment due to a work-related injury.
In Louisiana, permanent total disability benefits may continue for an extended period and, in some cases, for life. However, insurance companies often challenge these claims due to the long-term financial exposure.
Eligibility typically requires strong medical evidence showing the worker cannot return to any form of employment.
Supplemental Earnings Benefits, often referred to as SEB benefits, apply when an injured worker can return to some work but earns significantly less than before the injury.
These benefits may continue as long as the worker’s reduced earnings are caused by the work-related injury. However, SEB benefits are subject to maximum time limits under Louisiana law.
Understanding eligibility and duration for SEB benefits often requires careful analysis of medical records and employment history.
Even when benefits are initially approved, they may end sooner than expected. Common reasons benefits stop include:
Insurance companies may seek to terminate benefits as soon as possible, which is why injured workers should be cautious and informed.
Disagreements about how long benefits should last are common in workers’ compensation cases. Insurers may argue that a worker is capable of returning to work sooner than they actually are or that treatment is no longer necessary.
When disputes arise, injured workers may need to pursue formal hearings or legal action to protect their benefits.
Workers’ compensation laws in Louisiana are complex, and benefit duration issues are one of the most common sources of conflict. Without legal guidance, injured workers may accept benefit terminations or reductions that are not justified.
At Sarphie Law, we represent injured workers in Metairie, Louisiana who are dealing with delayed, reduced, or terminated workers’ compensation benefits. Our firm understands how insurers evaluate claims and how to challenge unfair decisions.
Understanding how long workers’ compensation benefits last helps injured workers plan financially and medically. Whether benefits last weeks, months, or years depends on the unique circumstances of each case.
Important steps include:
Proactive action can make a significant difference in the outcome of a claim.
Workers’ compensation benefits are meant to support injured workers, not create additional hardship. When benefits are cut short or disputed, knowing your rights is essential.
At Sarphie Law, we help injured workers in Metairie, Louisiana understand how long workers’ compensation benefits may last and what to do if benefits are unfairly reduced or terminated. If you have questions about your workers’ compensation claim or concerns about how long your benefits will continue, contact Sarphie Law to discuss your situation and learn how we can help protect your rights and your recovery.
