How Suffering More Than One Injury Impacts Workers’ Comp Benefits

Concurrent injuries.

If you suffered multiple scheduled injuries, your claim should list each of your injuries and how each one has affected you. Your benefits should reflect the percentage of disability for each body part as well as their combined impact on your life.

Consequent injuries.

Some employees suffer a single injury on the job, but further injuries develop as a result of the initial accident. For example, an employee with a broken leg may catch the cast on a step, causing them to fall forward and fracture a wrist. Called "compensable consequence" injuries, these should be covered under workers’ compensation because they are a direct result of the work injury.

Wage loss benefits.

If your injuries will prevent you from earning the same level of income you did before the accident, you may qualify for wage loss payments to make up the difference.

Total and permanent disability.

Once your injury has healed, you will be assigned a disability rating based on your specific limitations. If you are completely unable to return to work in any capacity, you may collect permanent disability benefits and medical treatment for life related to your injuries.