If you are injured on the job or develop a work-related illness in West Virginia, you may be entitled to the following benefits:
Medical coverage: Workers’ compensation insurance pays for your medical treatments, prescriptions, physical therapy, doctors’ visits, hospitalizations, nursing services, laboratory services, and medical supplies, regardless of how long those treatments are needed. In addition, unlike many other states, employees in the state of West Virginia have the option to choose their own treating physician.
Temporary total disability (TTD): If you can’t return to your job because of your injury, workers’ compensation insurance pays benefits at 66 2/3 of your weekly wages for a maximum of 104 weeks. The benefits are subject to minimums and maximums established under West Virginia work compensation law.
Permanent total disability (PTD): If you are totally disabled by your injury and will not recover enough to do your job again, workers’ compensation insurance will pay benefits at 66 2/3 of your wage. Minimum and maximum payment amounts apply. Benefits are paid for the length of the disability or until you turn 65 years old.
Permanent partial disability (PPD): If you have recovered as much as you are able but continue to have partial and permanent residual injuries, the insurance will pay 66 2/3 of your wage for up to 336 weeks. The amount of PPD payments made is based on a percentage of permanent total disability.
Vocational rehabilitation benefits: If you can't recover well enough to return to your old job but are still able to work at another job, the insurance may pay for vocational services like job retraining, job assessment, job modification, and job counseling.
Death benefits: These are paid to a surviving spouse and children of a West Virginia employee who died from a workplace injury or occupational illness. These typically include a percentage of the deceased worker’s wage, along with paid burial expenses up to a maximum amount.
Attorney fees: West Virginia workers' compensation will pay attorney fees limited to 20 percent of any award by statute.