When a person is injured in the workplace such that their capacity to work is reduced, they are eligible for workers’ compensation. As part of the workers’ compensation claim process, their disability is evaluated and given one of four designations. These designations then determine the exact benefits that the individual is eligible for. In this article, we’ll define one of these four designations, temporary partial disability (TPD).

Key Takeaways

• Temporary partial disability (TPD) is a type of disability defined under workers’ compensation
• Temporary partial disability is defined as a state in which a worker is injured in a way that affects their capacity to work but does not prevent them from working entirely
• Temporary partial disability helps compensate workers for injuries that temporarily reduce their earning capacity 

What Is Temporary Partial Disability (TPD)?

Temporary partial disability (TPD) is a designation of disability for the purposes of workers’ compensation. When a person applies for workers’ comp, their injury is classified on the basis of whether it is temporary or permanent and partial or total. Their benefits are then calculated accordingly. Temporary partial disability is the least severe of these classifications, referring to an injury that affects some of the individual’s working ability but does not entirely disrupt their ability to work. 

Temporary partial disability benefits are intended to compensate injured workers for the wages they lose during their recovery period or if they are back to work but earning less than they were before their injury. Each state has its own laws about exactly how much workers receive for TPD benefits and how long these benefits can continue. Most often, the benefit is calculated as a percentage of a worker’s wage rate before taxes, often two-thirds. For information accurate to your state, it is recommended to check with an official state government source as well as consult with an attorney. 

Temporary Partial Disability in Personal Injury Law

The type of injury you are designated as having is an incredibly important factor in your effort to seek worker’s compensation benefits after an injury. That is why it’s highly recommended to work with an experienced personal injury lawyer throughout the process. Not only will they be able to walk you through the necessary procedures for filing a workers’ compensation claim, but they will also help you understand the relevant laws in your jurisdiction as well as which disability designation you can expect to receive. This is the best way to ensure you receive the fairest compensation while knowing what to expect from your workers’ compensation claim.