Colorado Lawyers Maximizing Permanent Disability Benefits For Lifelong Compensation

After a serious workplace injury, the biggest question is often about your financial security once treatment ends. If your injury leaves you with a lasting impairment, you may be entitled to Colorado permanent disability benefits. These benefits are crucial for maintaining your long-term stability.

Based out of Denver and Castle Rock, our Colorado attorneys at The Merkel Law Firm, LLC, focus on maximizing permanent benefits for workers across the state. We work to assess your impairment rating accurately and fight to secure the compensation you need for the rest of your life.

The Two Main Types Of Permanent Disability Benefits In Colorado

Colorado workers’ compensation recognizes two distinct types of permanent benefits, addressing the confusion between returning to work with a limitation and being fully unable to work.

Permanent Partial Disability (PPD)

PPD compensates you for a lasting functional loss (or impairment) even if you return to work in some capacity. Your eligibility for PPD starts after you reach Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI), which means your condition has stabilized.

These benefits are calculated using a complex statutory formula that incorporates your Impairment Rating (assigned by your doctor), your Average Weekly Wage (AWW) and the legal cap for your specific injury percentage.

PPD benefits act as your compensation for the permanent effects of the work injury. This is why you need legal guidance to maximize the final payment.

Permanent Total Disability (PTD)

PTD is reserved for cases where the injury leaves you permanently unable to earn any wages in the same or any other employment. This benefit pays you at your Temporary Total Disability rate, potentially for the rest of your life.

It is very rare and difficult to prove a PTD in Colorado. The claimant must meet the high legal standard set by the Bymer case.

We have the necessary skills and experience to prove your PTD claim. Our lawyers present evidence on critical human factors, including your age, education, vocational history and the availability of suitable work.

We help properly classify your claim – PPD and PTD workers’ comp – to secure the highest level of permanent benefit available.

Should I Take A Lump Sum Or Weekly Payments?

When settling your permanent benefits, you often choose between receiving your compensation in a single lump sum or through weekly periodic payments.

• Lump sum: You gain immediate cash and full control over the funds. However, the carrier applies a present value discount (often 4% per year) to the total award. This means that the immediate payment is less than the sum of all future weekly payments.
• Weekly payments: You receive the full, undiscounted amount spread out over time, ensuring a reliable weekly income stream.

Colorado law adjusts benefit caps for inflation. For instance, the combined TTD and PPD benefit cap has two tiers based on your impairment rating compensation percentage. We help you analyze the total discounted value versus your financial needs.

Why Choose The Merkel Law Firm, LLC, To Fight For Your Permanent Benefits

The stakes are highest when determining permanent benefits. We provide the skills that make the difference:

• Impurity rating disputes: We challenge inaccurate MMI dates and low impairment ratings assigned by carrier-selected doctors.
• Financial analysis: We work with financial experts to analyze lump-sum offers against your future medical and long-term financial needs.
• PTD litigation: We specialize in successfully meeting the high burden of proof to secure lifetime benefits.

Our lawyers build a comprehensive case so your permanent disability award reflects your true long-term loss.

Fight For Your Lifetime Compensation

Protect your claim from insurance companies that attempt to undervalue your permanent injury. Your financial future depends on this outcome. Contact our experienced Colorado permanent disability lawyers to discuss maximizing your long-term benefits.

Call us at 303-276-8665 or send us a message to schedule your initial consultation today.