Understanding Lost Wage Benefits Under Florida Workers’ Compensation Law

When you’re injured on the job in Florida, one of the biggest concerns is how you’ll support yourself and your family while you’re unable to work. Florida’s workers’ compensation system provides various types of wage replacement benefits, depending on the severity of your injury and your ability to return to work. Below, we explain the four main types of lost wage benefits: Temporary Total Disability (TTD), Temporary Partial Disability (TPD), Impairment Income Benefits (IIB), and Permanent Total Disability (PTD).

1. Temporary Total Disability (TTD)

What is it?
If your injury completely prevents you from working for a temporary period, you may qualify for TTD benefits.

How much do you get?
TTD benefits pay 66 ⅔% of your average weekly wage (AWW), up to a maximum cap set annually by Florida law. Benefits begin on the 8th day of disability unless you're out for more than 21 days—in which case, you’ll also be paid for the first 7 days.

Duration:
TTD benefits can last up to 104 weeks (2 years).

Example:
If your AWW is $900, your TTD benefit would be roughly $600 per week, assuming you haven’t hit the state cap.

Learn more about by visiting https://www.407workers.com/lost-wages.

2. Temporary Partial Disability (TPD)

What is it?
If you're medically cleared to return to work with restrictions (e.g., light duty or part-time), but you earn less than 80% of your pre-injury wages, you may qualify for TPD benefits.

How much do you get?
You receive 80% of the difference between 80% of your pre-injury wage and your post-injury earnings.

Example:

• Pre-injury wage: $1,000/week

• 80% of pre-injury wage: $800

• Post-injury wage: $500/week

• Difference: $800 - $500 = $300

• TPD benefit: 80% of $300 = $240/week

Duration:
Also capped at 104 weeks when combined with any TTD benefits received.

For more on wage loss benefits, visit https://www.407workers.com/lost-wages.

 

3. Impairment Income Benefits (IIB)

What is it?
Once you reach Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI) — meaning your condition has stabilized and is not expected to improve further — your doctor may assign an impairment rating, expressed as a percentage.

How much do you get?
The benefit is 75% of your TTD rate, and the duration depends on your impairment rating.

Duration of payments:

• 2 weeks per percentage point of impairment up to 10%

• For ratings above 10%, a longer formula applies

Example:

• AWW: $900 → TTD: $600

• IIB rate: 75% of $600 = $450

• Impairment rating: 5% → 2 weeks × 5 = 10 weeks

• IIB payout: $450/week for 10 weeks

Need help understanding your impairment rating? Contact Van Dingenen Law for guidance.

4. Permanent Total Disability (PTD)

What is it?
If you’re permanently unable to perform any kind of gainful employment due to your injury, you may qualify for PTD benefits.

How much do you get?
PTD benefits are 66 ⅔% of your AWW, similar to TTD, and may include supplemental payments if you're also receiving Social Security Disability.

Duration:
These benefits can continue until age 75 (or for life, if you’re not eligible for Social Security).

To qualify:
Injuries must be catastrophic (e.g., spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries), or the worker must prove that they cannot engage in even sedentary employment within a 50-mile radius.

Explore our page on permanent disability claims to learn more.

Example Scenario

Case Study: Maria, a warehouse worker in Tampa, injures her back while lifting heavy boxes.

• Her AWW is $1,000.

• She is completely unable to work for 12 weeks → receives TTD benefits: $666.67/week for 12 weeks.

• At 13 weeks, her doctor clears her for light-duty work.

• She returns part-time and earns $500/week → now gets TPD benefits: $240/week for the next 10 weeks.

• At 23 weeks, she reaches MMI and is assigned a 7% impairment rating.

• She receives IIB at $500/week for 14 weeks (7% × 2).

• If her condition worsens and she can no longer work in any capacity, she may qualify for PTD benefits.

Don’t Navigate Workers' Comp Alone

Understanding your rights and benefits can be complex—especially when you’re injured and just trying to heal. At Van Dingenen Law, we’ve helped thousands of Florida workers secure the benefits they’re entitled to under the law.

📞 Call 407-WORKERS or
📨 Reach out to us online for a FREE consultation.

Your recovery is our priority. Let us fight for the compensation you deserve.