New Orleans Permanent Partial Disability Benefits Lawyer
Workers who suffer an amputation or other disfiguring injury often are eager to return to work. Helpfully, their injury, though permanent, is not so severe as to make a return to work impossible. For example, someone might suffer permanent nerve damage in their hand. But they can still use it in some capacity, and there are jobs they can do even after an accident.
Under Louisiana law, someone with a partial permanent disability can qualify for PPD benefits. Although the law has streamlined the amount you can receive, there are many legal issues that can call for a lawyer’s help. Contact Lunsford Baskin & Priebe today to speak with our New Orleans permanent partial disability benefits lawyer for a review of your case.
Understanding Permanent Partial Disability (PPD) Benefits
Permanent injuries which nonetheless don’t prevent someone from working include:
- Hearing loss
- Blindness
- Scarring
- Amputation
- Nerve damage
- Burns
Despite the injury, a worker can return to work in some capacity, even if it is in a different job or even a self-employment situation. Still, they have suffered a disability which the state’s workers’ compensation system will indemnify them for.
Calculating PPD benefits is complicated. These benefits are paid as a lump sum according to schedules based on the body part or organ affected and typically pay a maximum of 2/3 of your wages for the following amount of time:
- Thumb: 50 weeks
- Index finger: 30 weeks
- Other finger or big toe: 20 weeks
- Other toe: 10 weeks
By contrast, if you permanently injure a hand, arm, foot or leg, the duration increases:
- Hand: 2/3 of wages for 150 weeks.
- Arm: 2/3 of wages for 200 weeks.
- Foot: 2/3 of wages for 125 weeks.
- Leg: 2/3 of wages for 175 weeks.
These represent the maximum amount if you are 100% impaired in the hand, arm, leg or foot. For example, if your hand is amputated, you can receive 2/3 of your wage during 150 weeks. But you might have suffered a permanent injury that impairs your hand 50%. In that case, you will receive half the benefits.
If you have permanent scarring or disfigurement, you might also receive PPD benefits. The maximum you can receive is 2/3 of your wages for a maximum of 100 weeks. Judges have discretion for awarding a reasonable amount, and an attorney can make a big difference in the amount you receive.
Contact Experienced PPD Attorneys Today
The amount a worker receives will depend on their impairment rating. For example, if you are 50% impaired, then you will receive 50% of the maximum amount. If your loss of use or impairment is 25% or less, you will receive nothing.
You might disagree with your impairment rating, which is a major source of disputes with PPD benefits. We can review the evidence and make an argument on your behalf.
Permanent disabilities deserve compensation. If you are struggling to get these benefits, please call Lunsford Baskin & Priebe. We offer a free consultation with our New Orleans permanent partial disability benefits lawyer.
