What happens if you can’t return to work after injury?

If an injured worker cannot return to work after a work injury, he or she may be entitled to a loss of occupation award due to an inability of the injured worker to return to his or her usual and customary line of employment.  Alternatively, the injured worker may be entitled to a wage loss or wage differential award if the injured worker is able to return to work in an alternative trade or profession, albeit at a substantially reduced rate of pay.  Wage differential awards are payable to age 68, or five years from the date of injury.  Alternatively, if the injured worker cannot return to any form of employment, the injured worker may be entitled to permanent and total disability benefits for the duration of his or her life.