Overview of TTD and TPD Benefits

In Georgia, there are three (3) kinds of benefits which may be payable to a worker that has suffered an on-the-job accident, each payable weekly. This post will very briefly discuss two (2) of the three (3) types of such benefits: Temporary Total Disability (TTD) and Temporary Partial Disability (TPD). These benefits are dubbed “temporary” by the law because a cap is placed on the number of weeks an injured worker can receive them, which is discussed more fully below. The third type of benefits, Permanent Partial Disability (PPD), will be discussed in a later post.

At the outset, it is important to note that the term “disability” as used in the context of TTD and TPD benefits is defined as being a “diminution in earning capacity.” In other words, an injury which lessens or decreases your ability to earn money at your job is considered a “disability.”

TTD Benefits

As the name suggests, TTD benefits are due to an injured worker when his or her earning capacity has been “totally” impaired; meaning, he or she cannot return to work and is not making any money because of the injury. TTD benefits are computed by taking 2/3 of the worker’s average weekly wage (calculation of average weekly wage is discussed here). However, the maximum amount of TTD benefits which can be received each week is determined by the date of the work accident. Currently, the maximum compensation rate is $500.00 per week (thus, even if a worker’s AWW is $1,500.00 per week, he or she is only entitled to $500.00 per week in TTD benefits). Also, an injured worker can receive TTD benefits for a maximum of 400 weeks from the date of injury (unless the injury becomes “catastrophic,” which will be discussed in a later post).

TPD Benefits

Alternatively, if a worker has not been completely disabled and is able to return to work in a limited capacity (working fewer hours), or if he or she has been placed in a “light-” or “modified-duty” job which pays less than the job he or she held prior to the injury, TPD benefits come into play. If there is a loss in wages after the injury, the worker is entitled to recover 2/3 of the difference between the AWW wage before the injury and the AWW after the injury. However, TPD benefits are currently capped at $334.00 per week, and cannot be received for longer than 350 weeks from the date of injury. (Example: pre-injury AWW is $400.00 and post-injury AWW is $300.00. Worker is entitled to $66.67 of TPD each week, which is 2/3 of $100.00).

This can obviously get complicated, so if you have any questions, please let me know!