What Does Temporary Total Disability Mean?

Injured workers have the right to compensation when they are temporarily disabled from a workplace accident or injury. 

Temporary total disability (TTD) has been defined by the Utah Supreme Court. In Entwistle Co. v. Wilkins, the Supreme Court held that an injured workers’ temporary disability “may be found to be total, if he can no longer perform the duties of the character required in his occupation prior to his injury.” Let’s talk about how temporary total disability is calculated and what it means.

How is TTD calculated?

Temporary total disability is calculated at 2/3 of the employee’s average weekly wage but is capped at no more than 100% of the state average weekly wage at the time of the injury. The maximum is currently $916 per week. The minimum amount is $45 per week.

Injured employees can also receive $20 per week for a spouse and $20 per week for each dependent child under the age of 18, for up to four children.

How long can it last?

Temporary total disability compensation can last for 312 weeks, or until the injured worker reaches maximum medical improvement – the point at which the condition of an injured worker is stabilized. This means that no further recovery or improvement is expected even with additional medical intervention and that the condition will not change or progress.

What are the next steps?

We have seen many insurance companies wrongfully deny injured workers TTD benefits or stop benefits before our client has reached maximum medical improvement. Surprisingly, billion-dollar insurance companies cannot do third-grade math and sometimes incorrectly calculate the amount owed.

Call us if you have questions about how much money you are owed for temporary total disability. We will review your case with you to make sure you are being treated fairly.