What Benefits Are Available Under Temporary Total Disability?
If you’ve been hurt at work in Metairie, Louisiana, and can’t perform any job while you recover, you may be eligible for TTD benefits. These benefits are meant to replace lost income during the time you’re completely unable to work. Louisiana law provides these benefits under its workers’ comp system, and we help our clients fight for the full amount they’re owed.
At the Law Office of Bruce C. Betzer, we represent injured workers across Louisiana who are struggling to get by after serious workplace accidents. One of the most important aspects of a workers' comp claim in our state is understanding what benefits are available under Temporary Total Disability, or TTD.
We’ve handled hundreds of workers’ comp cases in Louisiana, and we know how devastating it can be when your paycheck stops and your medical bills start piling up.
Temporary Total Disability is designed to help fill that financial gap, but getting these benefits isn’t always as straightforward as it should be. That’s why we’re here—to make sure you don’t get left behind while you’re healing.
Temporary Total Disability in Louisiana
Under Louisiana law, if a doctor determines that you are temporarily unable to perform any job due to your work-related injury, you are considered to be under Temporary Total Disability. This means you are not able to work in any capacity—not even light duty.
It’s important to understand that TTD is not permanent. It’s meant to support you while you recover. Once your doctor says you’ve reached maximum medical improvement (MMI) or finds that you can return to some form of employment, your TTD benefits may end or be converted to another form of compensation.
The Louisiana Workers’ Compensation Act, under La. R.S. 23:1221(1), outlines the standards for receiving Temporary Total Disability. To receive these benefits, there must be objective medical evidence that you are completely disabled from employment due to the injury.
We work closely with our clients and their doctors to collect this evidence and support their claims. Without strong documentation, insurance companies often deny TTD benefits—or stop paying them earlier than they should.
How Much Will You Receive Under TTD?
In Louisiana, Temporary Total Disability benefits are based on two-thirds of your average weekly wage, up to a maximum amount that changes yearly. Your average weekly wage is typically calculated based on the four full weeks you worked before the injury, including overtime and bonuses.
The maximum and minimum weekly compensation rates are set by the Louisiana Workforce Commission and adjusted annually. For example, in 2025, the maximum weekly rate may be different than it was in 2024. We keep track of these updates so we can accurately calculate what our clients should be paid.
Unlike regular income, workers' comp benefits are not taxed. So even though you’re only receiving two-thirds of your wages, your take-home amount may not be as low as it first appears. Still, for many families, losing one-third of the household income causes serious hardship—and we fight to make sure every dollar owed is paid on time.
What If Your Employer Tries to End Your TTD Benefits Too Soon?
In many of the workers' comp cases we handle, the employer or insurance company tries to cut off Temporary Total Disability benefits before the injured worker is ready to return. This often happens when a company doctor claims that you can return to light duty, even though your treating physician disagrees.
Under Louisiana law, your treating physician’s opinion usually carries more weight—but you still have to fight to make it count. That’s where we come in. We gather medical records, get second opinions when needed, and file the right paperwork to challenge benefit terminations.
If you believe your TTD benefits have been cut off unfairly, you have the right to dispute the decision. Filing a disputed claim for compensation with the Louisiana Office of Workers' Compensation Administration is the first step in getting your benefits reinstated. We help our clients through this process every step of the way.
What TTD Covers in Louisiana Workers' Comp
Temporary Total Disability benefits are just one piece of the workers' comp system in Louisiana. But when you qualify for TTD, here’s what you can expect to receive:
1. Weekly Compensation Payments
You’ll receive weekly payments equal to two-thirds of your average weekly wage, up to the maximum allowed by law. These benefits are paid until your doctor clears you to return to work or determines that you’ve reached MMI.
2. Medical Treatment
All necessary and reasonable medical care related to your injury should be covered. This includes hospital visits, surgery, physical therapy, medication, and follow-up care. You also have the right to choose your own doctor for treatment.
3. Mileage Reimbursement
If you have to travel for medical treatment, you can be reimbursed for mileage to and from the doctor’s office, pharmacy, or therapy center. This reimbursement is based on the rate set by the state.
4. Vocational Rehabilitation (if needed)
If your doctor later clears you for light duty or alternative work and your employer can’t accommodate you, the state may provide vocational rehabilitation services. This could include job training or job placement assistance. However, these services only come into play after TTD ends.
We help clients understand exactly what they’re entitled to under Louisiana workers' comp law. And if anything is missing—weekly checks delayed, mileage ignored, treatment denied—we take action to correct it.
How Long Can You Receive TTD Benefits?
You can receive TTD benefits as long as your doctor certifies that you are totally unable to work. Once your condition improves and you're able to return to any form of work, the benefits may stop. If your injury becomes permanent and prevents you from returning to gainful employment, you may be eligible for Permanent Total Disability benefits.
We make it a priority to stay in regular contact with our clients and their doctors. This way, we’re always ready if a change in your medical status affects your workers' comp eligibility.
It’s also important to remember that insurance companies are constantly monitoring these cases. They may hire private investigators to follow you or review your social media accounts. We always remind our clients to be honest about their condition—and careful about what they share publicly—because surveillance can be used as a reason to terminate workers’ comp benefits.
Do You Need a Lawyer for TTD?
We often hear from people who try to handle their workers' comp claim alone—only to call us after something goes wrong. Maybe the checks stopped coming, medical treatment was denied, or they were forced back to work before they were ready.
While Louisiana law is meant to protect injured workers, the process is full of technical steps and strict deadlines. If you don’t meet certain requirements, you could lose out on benefits you deserve.
When you work with us, we handle the paperwork, communicate with the insurance company, and present evidence at any hearings. Our goal is to take the pressure off so you can focus on recovery. We don’t get paid unless we help you win benefits or a settlement.
What If You’re Paid in Cash or Off the Books?
If you were paid in cash, or worked off the books, it can make a workers' comp claim more difficult—but not impossible. We’ve helped workers prove their income through bank statements, receipts, texts, and witness testimony. Just because your employer didn’t handle things properly doesn’t mean you give up your rights.
Under Louisiana law, employers are required to carry workers' comp insurance for all employees, including part-time and seasonal workers. That applies regardless of immigration status, method of payment, or job title.
We know how to build a workers’ comp case even when your employer failed to follow the rules.
Let Us Help You Recover What Workers’ Comp You Deserve
At the Law Office of Bruce C. Betzer, we know how stressful it can be when your income stops after a work injury. We’re proud to serve Metairie, Louisiana, and the surrounding areas of Chalmette, New Orleans, Jefferson Parish, and St. Tammany Parish. Call today for your workers’ comp case.