Question 1

How can Houston workers’ compensation lawyers help when you sustain a permanent impairment?

Accepted Answer

They work with medical specialists to gather evidence proving the extent and severity of your disability, determine the type of permanent disability benefit you are entitled to under workers’ compensation laws, file claims and negotiate with the workers’ compensation company to reach a settlement, monitor deadlines for filing lawsuits and appeals, and identify any third-party claims that might result in additional compensation for a permanent disability.

Question 2

What types of income benefits are available under Texas workers’ compensation law?

Accepted Answer

The Texas Workers’ Compensation Act provides income benefits to injured employees, and the type and amount depend on your level of impairment and average weekly wages before the work-related accident. If your injury prevents you from working while you recover, you can receive temporary income benefits (TIBs). Texas workers’ comp laws provide three types of permanent disability benefits: Impairment Income Benefits (IIBs), Supplemental Income Benefits (SIBs), and Lifetime Income Benefits (LIBs).

Question 3

What are Impairment Income Benefits (IIBs) and how are they calculated?

Accepted Answer

If your work injury results in an impairment that affects your entire body as a whole, you could be entitled to impairment income benefits based on the impairment rating a doctor assigns, which is based on the percent of permanent damage the injury caused to your body as a whole. The benefits equal three weeks for each percentage point of impairment (for example, a 50% rating equals 150 weeks). The weekly IIB amount equals 70% of your average weekly wage before the injury, subject to the state maximum and minimum amounts.

Question 4

Who qualifies for Supplemental Income Benefits (SIBs) in Texas workers’ compensation?

Accepted Answer

SIBs are paid monthly after impairment income benefits end. To receive SIBs, you must have an impairment rating of at least 15% or higher, be looking for work, not have returned to work (or, if you have, be earning 80% or less than what you earned before the injury), and not have accepted a lump sum payment for your injury. The Texas Department of Insurance determines eligibility for the first quarter, and the insurance company decides eligibility after that.

Question 5

What injuries qualify for Lifetime Income Benefits (LIBs) and how much do they pay?

Accepted Answer

LIBs are paid when a worker experiences a covered loss involving: total and permanent loss of both feet, both hands, or one foot and one hand; total and permanent loss of sight in both eyes; spinal cord injury causing permanent and complete paralysis of both legs, both arms, or one leg and one arm; physical traumatic brain injury resulting in incurable imbecility or insanity; third-degree burns covering over 40 percent of the body that require grafting; or third-degree burns covering the majority of both hands or one hand and the face. The amount equals 75% of your average weekly wage before the work injury, with a 3% increase each year.

How Our Houston Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Help You When You Sustain a Permanent Impairment

What Types of Income Benefits Are Available Under Texas Workers’ Compensation Law?

Impairment Income Benefits (IIBs)

Supplemental Income Benefits (SIBs)

Lifetime Income Benefits (LIBs)

Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Houston Permanent Disability Lawyers

Permanent Disability Lawyer in Houston