An injured worker’s health care provider will give an opinion on the extent of the disability. Cash benefits are directly related to the following disability classifications:

Permanent Total Disability:

The injured worker’s wage-earning capacity is permanently and totally lost. There is no limit on the number of weeks payable.

Temporary Total Disability:

The injured worker’s wage-earning capacity is lost totally, but only on a temporary basis.

Temporary Partial Disability:

The wage-earner’s capacity is lost only partially, and on a temporary basis.

Permanent Partial Disability:

Part of the injured worker’s wage-earning capacity has been permanently lost. Benefits are payable as long as the partial disability exists, except for scheduled loss of use. If there are no reduced earnings as a result of the partial disability, only medical benefits are payable.

Schedule Loss:

This is a special category of Permanent Partial Disability, and involves loss of eyesight or hearing, or loss of a limb or partial loss of its use. Compensation is limited to a certain number of weeks, according to a schedule set by the NYS Legislature.

Disfigurement:

Serious and permanent disfigurement to the face, head or neck may entitle the worker to compensation up to a maximum of $20,000, depending on date of accident.