What Benefits Can I Receive Under Workers’ Compensation?

Workers’ comp is designed to help you recover physically and financially from the effects of a workplace injury or illness. You may be entitled to several types of workers’ compensation benefits, depending on how the injury has impacted you.

Medical Benefits

Kentucky workers’ compensation covers reasonable and necessary medical care related to your work injury or illness. Workers’ comp medical benefits typically include doctor’s visits, hospitalization, surgery, medications, medical equipment, and physical therapy needed for your recovery. 

Many employers use a managed care program to coordinate your treatment through approved providers. Your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance pays for all of your care, meaning you do not need to use your health insurance. There are no copays for approved work-related treatment, and your medical providers cannot bill you directly.

Wage Replacement Benefits

If your doctor takes you off work while you recover from a job-related injury, you may qualify for temporary total disability benefits. In Kentucky, workers’ comp usually does not pay income benefits for the first seven days you are disabled. But if your disability continues for more than two weeks, you may also be paid for those first seven days. 

In most cases, you will receive two-thirds of your average weekly wage, up to a limit set by the state each year. For 2026, the maximum weekly benefit for total disability is $1,277.99. 

Disability Benefits

Kentucky uses disability classifications to determine how long you receive workers’ comp wage replacement benefits. 

You may receive temporary total disability benefits if your doctor states you cannot work during your recovery. In Kentucky, no income benefits are payable for the first seven days of disability unless your disability continues for more than two weeks. If it does, benefits are payable from the first day of disability. 

If you reach a point where your doctor does not expect your condition to improve further and you have lasting limitations, you may qualify for permanent disability benefits. These benefits may be partial if your permanent impairment limits the type or amount of work you can do. Permanent total disability benefits may apply if your condition prevents you from performing any type of work. 

Vocational Rehabilitation and Return-to-Work Services

If your workplace injury prevents you from returning to your previous job but you may be able to perform other types of work, you may qualify for vocational rehabilitation under workers’ compensation. These programs help you prepare for new work through job training, education, or job placement assistance. 

Additional support may be available if you can return to your current job in a limited role. With your doctor’s approval, your employer may offer temporary modified duty, such as lighter tasks or reduced hours. 

Other Possible Benefits

Workers’ compensation may provide additional benefits to cover any further costs you or your family incurs as a result of the work injury. 

In some cases, you may be eligible for mileage reimbursement for travel to and from approved medical appointments. These costs can add up over time if you need ongoing treatment, and workers’ comp can ease the financial burden. 

If a work-related injury results in death within four years of the incident, workers’ compensation may pay death benefits. The system provides a lump sum payment to the worker’s estate to cover burial expenses. It also provides ongoing income benefits to the worker’s surviving spouse and eligible dependents.