Understanding Unemployment & Workers’ Compensation In Colorado

Jul 20, 2022 | WC & Other Laws

Understanding Unemployment & Workers’ Compensation In Colorado – A lot of times, injured workers will lose their jobs because of their injuries or their restrictions, and sometimes, unemployment can play a part in what benefits they get.

Understanding Unemployment & Workers’ Compensation In Colorado

Temporary Total Disability and Unemployment

If you’re injured on the job, you have restrictions, and you’ve been under treatment for a long and unable to do your job, you will get what’s called Temporary Total Disability (TTD) during treatment, but after treatment, when you’re placed at maximum medical improvement, you should apply for unemployment because you lost your job through no fault of your own.

When you’re off the job, still in treatment, and you’re not getting lost wages under Workers’ Compensation because your case has been denied or it has been admitted, but the insurance company is refusing to pay because they say you’re responsible for your termination, at that point, if you later are successful in getting TTD benefits, the insurance company can reduce what they pay you in TTD by the amount you receive in unemployment.

Maximizing your benefits

What we try to do is make sure our clients don’t get unemployment when they should be getting TTD. That way, they get full benefits under Workers’ Compensation, and also, they’re not using unemployment for wage loss or periods of time that should be covered by Workers’ Compensation, and that way, they get maximum benefits.

Additional Resources:

Should I Apply for Unemployment if I’ve Been Injured on the Job?

Work Injuries and Unemployment