Call Us!What Are the Limits to Workers’ Compensation Benefits in Colorado?
Suffering a work-related injury or illness that prevents you from performing your job can be devastating on multiple levels. You’ll have medical bills to worry about, and you won’t be able to earn the income you need to support yourself and your family. Workers’ compensation benefits are intended to address these issues.
When you’re hurt on the job, workers’ compensation can cover your medical expenses, potential disability, and lost wages. In the event that a worker dies because of an injury or illness, their surviving family members can also receive death benefits. But is there a limit on workers’ comp benefits?
Although you’re likely eligible to receive benefits if your injuries are work-related, there could be limits to how much you’re able to claim. It’s helpful to know what Colorado law allows and what the work comp limits may be in your situation. The knowledgeable attorneys at Bachus & Schanker are here to explain this complex subject in detail.
Medical Benefits
Colorado’s workers’ compensation system covers employees’ medical expenses. These benefits are typically unlimited. You stand to receive assistance for the following after getting hurt or sick at work:
- Emergency medical care
- Diagnostic tests
- Hospital stays
- Surgeries
- Doctor visits
- Physical therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Chiropractic care
- Medical equipment
- Medications
To obtain coverage for your medical expenses, you’ll likely have to see a doctor approved by your employer’s insurance company. Your employer should furnish you with a designated provider list. If they don’t offer this list within seven business days of you alerting them about your injury, you can choose your own doctor.
Disability Benefits
You may be entitled to temporary partial disability benefits if your illness or injury prevents you from returning to work at full capacity. In this case, you qualify to receive two-thirds of the difference between what you earn now and what you earned before the injury.
The next level up, temporary total disability, covers two-thirds of your average weekly wage at the time of the injury.
If you have any form of impairment, which is defined as a permanent loss of a body function, you can claim permanent disability.
Permanent partial disability benefits are determined based on a percentage of loss of function. For permanent total disability, which you may qualify for if you aren’t expected to return to work, the benefits are similar to total temporary disability.
There are limits to these benefits, however.
Weekly payments are subject to caps. The Colorado Division of Workers’ Compensation sets the maximum caps each year. For injuries that occurred between July 1, 2025, and June 30, 2026, the maximum weekly benefit is $1,396.85. To qualify for this amount, you must have earned at least $2,095.27 a week prior to your accident.
Scheduled Loss and Disfigurement
Scheduled loss refers to the impairment level of specific body parts. Your doctor will determine the severity of the loss and the percentage of disability you face.
The benefits you receive will be paid out based on a schedule set forth by Colorado law. Currently, scheduled impairment is compensated at a weekly rate of $438.33. The exact body part affected will dictate how many weeks of payment you receive.
Disfigurement and scarring are also covered. The maximum amount for bodily disfigurement for 2025 – 2026 is $7,394.64, while it can be as high as $14,786.65 for severe body or facial scars or stumps resulting from the loss of a limb.
Why Limits Matter
It’s essential to have a clear idea of the limits you may be up against when seeking workers’ compensation benefits. If you understand the caps that apply to your case, you’ll have a better chance of obtaining an amount that’s adequate to sustain you.
You’ll also need to know exactly how much you’ll receive so you can plan for the future, especially if you won’t be able to return to your previous role. Additionally, understanding the limits of workers’ comp can help you and your lawyer fight for a fair settlement if you’re pursuing a claim against a third party.
Get Trusted Legal Guidance in Colorado
Pursuing a workers’ compensation claim isn’t always a straightforward process. You must provide a significant amount of evidence to demonstrate that you sustained an injury or illness, and there’s always a chance that your claim will be denied.
With the assistance of an experienced attorney, you’ll have a better chance of securing the benefits you deserve. Bachus & Schanker can provide comprehensive support as you file your workers’ comp claim. We offer tips for workers’ compensation cases and are fiercely dedicated to our clients’ interests.
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