If you are a worker in the State of Michigan and you suffer a job related injury or illness you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. Your benefits may include both medical treatment and wage replacement benefits. Wage replacement benefits are cash benefits that are intended to replace the wages you would earn if you had not suffered the injury or illness. Once you are approved for benefits, your cash benefits could suddenly stop or be modified. This may lead you to ask “ Can the insurance carrier suspend or modify my Michigan workers’ compensation cash benefits? ”
The answer to that question is that yes, your Michigan workers’ compensation cash benefits could be suspended or modified, but not without a legitimate reason. There are several legitimate reasons why your wage replacement benefits could be suspended or modified, including, but not limited to:
- You are able to return to work – if your treating physician believes you are able to return to work, either full-time or part-time, a report will be filed with the insurance carrier indicating that you can return to work. Your benefits may ts
- You are not cooperating with treatment – as a claimant, you have the right to request a second opinion or question recommended treatment; however, if you simply refuse treatment altogether the insurance carrier will eventually suspend your benefits.
- You are receiving other benefits – if you begin receiving benefits such as SSDI, SSI, or retirement benefits your workers’ compensation benefits could be modified accordingly.
- You have received the maximum allowable benefits – there is a cap to the number of weeks some types of benefits are payable. If you reach the maximum number of weeks your benefits could be suspended.
While there are legitimate reasons for suspending or modifying Michigan workers’ compensation benefits, it is also common for benefits to be suspended or modified in error. For this reason, you should always check with your Michigan workers’ compensation attorney immediately if there is a change in your benefit amount or if your benefits stop altogether.
If you have specific questions or concerns, contact the experienced Michigan workers’ compensation attorneys at Slusky and Walt, the American Benefit Experts, by calling 1-800-ABE-HELPS (1-800-223-4357) today to schedule your free consultation.
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