Q. What if I cannot return to any gainful employment because of my work related injury?

A. If you can never return to any type of work because of your workers’ compensation injury, the Industrial Commission can award lifetime benefits. These benefits can include payment of your compensation rate for the rest of your life, plus future medical treatment associated with your WC injury. If the treating doctor determines you are disabled and never able to return to any work, you should apply for Social Security disability as well as any other applicable private or group disability plan. Since some disability benefits are offset or deducted by WC benefits, you should consult an experienced lawyer to minimize these reductions in net payments to you.