If you recently filed for workers' compensation in the state of Michigan, you need to know how you are going to be compensated should your case be accepted. This will help you make smart long-term financial plans. 

How Long To I Have To Be Out Of Work To Qualify For Benefits?

In order to qualify for workers' compensation benefits, you do not have to be permanently disabled. You can be temporarily disabled. Michigan law only requires you to be disabled for seven consecutive calendar days, which can include both holidays and weekends, before you can collect payment for a disability and qualify as being disabled.

That means, if you broke your leg on the job and cannot work without a fully functioning leg, you can start receiving workers' compensation benefits as soon as seven days after injured your leg. These benefits will continue until your leg heals and you are able to return to work. 

How Long Will I Receive Benefits For?

How long you will receive benefits for really depends on why you are getting workers' compensation benefits in the first place. In the example above, where you broke your leg, you would receive benefits until your leg healed and you were able to return to work. 

However, if you, for example, suffered nerve damage to your leg and had to undergo physical therapy to regain use of your leg, you would not be expected to return to work for a longer period of time and would continue to receive benefits until you were cleared to go back to work.

If the injury was so serious that your doctor determine you will never be able to work again, you can generally draw workers' compensation benefits until you hit retirement age. If the injury prevents you from working at your previous job, but does not prevent you from doing other types of work, you would continue to receive your benefits until you found a job that you are able to do taking into consideration your physical limitations. 

The length you receive benefits really depends upon your personal medical situation. 

What Amount Can I Expect To Receive? 

The amount you can receive is based on established regulations. First, your average weekly wage is calculated. Next, using your average weekly wage, you can be paid up to 80% of what you make after taxes each week. 

Don't expect to bring home as much as you were when you were working; budget for about half of what you used to bring home, then adjust your budget once you find out exactly what you are getting paid out through workers' compensation. Plan on waiting a while for your case to be processed; although you should get benefits right away. Talk to a lawyer in your area, like http://ransomgilbertson.com/, if you have questions.