Texas Workers Compensation Income Benefits
When you have been hurt in the workplace, the benefits available through a workers’ compensation claim can be vital, replacing your income so that you can meet your financial obligations. The benefits available vary, based on the type of injury you have received as well as the expected duration of your injury. This page provides a basic overview of the income benefits available when you successfully file a workers’ compensation claim. To ensure that your rights are protected, you want to work with an experienced Texas Workers Compensation Attorney.
Experienced Workers Compensation Lawyers at Bailey & Galyen
At Bailey & Galyen, we bring more than 50 years of combined experience to individuals across Texas who have been injured on the job. We take a comprehensive approach, conducting a thorough assessment of your case’s facts and circumstances so that we can identify its strengths and weaknesses, and take necessary measures to protect your interests. We will help you understand the law and the legal process, as well as your options and chances of recovery, so that you can make educated decisions about how you want to proceed.
The Income Benefits under a Texas Workers Compensation Claim
In Texas, when you have been hurt at work you can file a claim for income benefits, which are designed to replace some of the wages you have lost because of your inability to work. Income benefits are based on the severity of your injury and how long you will need benefits. There are minimum and maximum benefit amounts established by state law. You must also report any other income that you receive while accepting workers’ compensation income benefit payments.
Income Benefits in Texas take one of four forms:
- Temporary income benefits (TIBs) – If your injury is a short-term one, you can get income benefits up to 70 percent of the difference between your pre-injury average weekly earnings and what you are able to earn after your injury. You are entitled to TIBs after you miss eight days of work because of an injury. Temporary benefits are available for a maximum of 104 weeks, but may also be terminated if you are able to earn your average weekly wage from before your injury, or you have been determined to have attained maximum medical improvement.
- Impairment income benefits (IIBs) – Impairment income benefits are available to anyone who has suffered a permanent impairment from a work injury or illness. When you have reached maximum medical improvement, a doctor will conduct an examination and determine the percentage of your permanent impairment. You will receive three weeks of payment for each percentage of impairment.
- Lifetime income benefits – (LIBs) – Lifetime income benefits are paid if you suffer injuries that prevent you from working again. The benefits are set at 75 percent of your average weekly wage, with a three-percent increase each year. LIBs are available for a wide range of injuries, from total loss of sight to third-degree burns to injuries causing paralysis or amputation.
- Supplemental income benefits – (SIBs) – SIBs are paid monthly to injured workers who have at least a 15 percent impairment rating, have not returned to work because of impairment, have returned to work but are earning less than 80 percent of their prior average weekly wages, have made a good-faith effort to find appropriate employment and did not take impairment income benefits in a lump sum.
Contact the Workers Compensation Attorneys at Bailey & Galyen
We are available by phone 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Send us an e-mail or call us at one of the numbers below to arrange a meeting. Your first consultation is without cost or obligation. Se habla Espanol.
We Offer quality legal services and representation to clients throughout Texas, including Arlington, Bedford, Dallas, Fort Worth, Grand Prairie, Irving, Plano, Weatherford, Mesquite, Houston, Clear Lake, TX.
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