Alaska Injured Employee Workers Compensation Benefits

Important workers compensation benefit information for injured Alaska employees

Alaska Workers Compensation Medical Benefits -

MEDICAL TREATMENT AND BENEFITS FOR THE INJURY are paid for up to two years after the injury date. After two years, the Board may order the insurer to pay for medical care. Most insurers pay for care for more than two years if it is for the injury and needed for recovery. If the insurer does not pay for medical care for your injury, you should file a written claim and ask for a hearing so the Board can decide if the insurer must pay.

Who Chooses the Physician for Injured Workers in Alaska-

You may choose a licensed doctor to treat your injury (including a licensed medical doctor, surgeon, chiropractor, osteopath, dentist, or optometrist). You may change your treating doctor once, but tell the insurer before you change. If your doctor sends you to a specialist, this doesn’t count as a change of doctors. If you want to change to a third doctor, you MUST get the insurer’s written agreement. If you change doctors more than once without the insurer’s written agreement, you may have to pay the doctor’s bills.

Alaska Workers Compensation Disability Benefits -

Temporary Total Disability (TTD) Benefits: TTD benefits are paid if you are unable to work due to your work injury. The percentage of worker's wage paid is 80% of worker's spendable earnings. For weekly payments, the minimum is $110, or $207 (22% of maximum compensation rate) if employee shows proof of wages, or worker's spendable weekly wage if less. The maximum is $939, 120% of SAWW. The maximum period of payments is the duration of disability until date of medical stability. WC benefits are subject to offsets under Social Security. Permanent Total Disability (PTD) Benefits: If a work injury or illness prevents you from ever returning to a steady job and earning a living from work, you may be eligible for PTD benefits. The percentage of worker's wage paid is 80% of worker's spendable earnings. For weekly payments, the minimum is $110, or $207 (22% of maximum compensation rate) if employee shows proof of wages, or worker's spendable weekly wage if less. The maximum is $939, 120% of SAWW. The maximum period of payments is the duration of disability. WC benefits are subject to reduction by Social Security and any previously awarded PPD benefits. Permanent Partial Disability (PPD) Benefits: PPD benefits compensate for permanent loss-of-use of a body part. For weekly payments, the minimum is $110, or $207 (22% of maximum compensation rate) if employee shows proof of wages, or worker's spendable weekly wage if less. Ratings for compensation purposes are determined as a percentage of permanent total disability. Permanent partial disability benefits are determined by multiplying $177,000 times the employee's percentage of permanent partial impairment of the whole person and is payable in a single lump sum, unless the employee is enrolled in a vocational rehabilitation program. Compensation may not be discounted for any present value considerations.

Alaska Workers Death/Dependency Benefits -

DEATH BENEFITS are paid to the employee’s dependents if death results from a work accident or illness. Widows, widowers, and children are dependents. Children living in the worker's household or supported by a deceased worker, regardless of parentage, may be dependents. Unmarried children get benefits to age 19 or older while they go to high school or the first four years of trade school, technical school, or college. If there is no widow, widower, or child, then parents, grandchildren or brothers and sisters who prove dependency on the deceased worker may get limited benefits. Contact the division for more details about who are dependents and the amount paid for death benefits. The insurer pays up to $5,000 for funeral expenses. The employee’s surviving spouse and/or children also receive a lump-sum payment of $5,000.

Alaska Workers Compensation Attorney Fees -

If the Board awards benefits that the insurer delayed or refused to pay, the Board orders the insurer to pay all or part of your attorney’s fees and legal costs. Your attorney cannot collect a fee of more than $300 for work done on your case without Board approval. The attorney can have you pay your legal costs without Board approval. You do not have to pay the insurer’s attorney’s fees and legal costs unless you knowingly lie to get benefits.

More specific workers compensation employee benefit information for this state can be found by following the link below. It will take you directly to the state web page containing employee's workers compensation rights and benefits:

http://labor.state.ak.us/wc/wc-brochure.pdf

Important Notice Please Read: All information on this page is provided only as a reference. While we strive to mantain accurate information on this site please realize workers compensation laws are complicated and subject to change at any time. If you need help with a workers compensation problem or have a specific situation or question please contact our office. Otherwise please consult your states governing authority or an attorney in your state of residency for assistance.

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