What benefit might a worker receive after an injury that limits their ability to perform full work duties?

The benefit a worker might receive after an injury that limits their ability to perform full work duties is reduced earning capacity benefits. This type of benefit is designed to provide financial support to employees who are no longer able to earn their full pre-injury wages due to their work-related injury. It recognizes that while the worker can still perform some work, their capacity to earn is diminished when compared to their previous earning potential before the accident or injury occurred.

Reduced earning capacity benefits help bridge the gap between what the employee was earning before the injury and what they can earn afterward. This is particularly important for those who may experience ongoing limitations but are still able to work in a capacity that yields lower wages, or who may need to transition to different job roles or industries.

By contrast, other benefits like unemployment compensation generally serve a different purpose, providing income support when a worker is wholly unemployed rather than when they are working but earning less due to a disability. Total Permanent Disability (TPD) benefits and Permanent Total Disability (PTD) benefits apply to more severe cases where the worker is unable to return to gainful employment altogether and may receive more significant compensation due to being permanently disabled. Thus, reduced earning capacity benefits are specifically tailored to those who still have some ability