Temporary vs. Permanent Disability in Oklahoma Workers’ Comp: How Benefits Are Calculated

Temporary vs. Permanent Disability in Oklahoma Workers’ Comp: How Benefits Are Calculated Image

What would you do if a single accident at work cost you more than $100,000 in lost wages and medical bills? For some Oklahoma workers, this nightmare becomes reality overnight—and the only lifeline is the workers’ compensation system. But whether you receive a fraction or the full amount you deserve depends entirely on how your injury is classified: temporary or permanent. When the stakes are this high, you can’t afford to guess. At Burton Law Group, our team knows how to stand up to the insurance companies and help you fight for everything the law allows.

How Temporary Disability Benefits Are Calculated in Oklahoma

Temporary disability benefits help replace lost income while you recover from a work-related injury or illness that is expected to improve. In Oklahoma, there are two main types of temporary disability benefits, each with its own calculation method and eligibility rules. Understanding these categories is key to knowing what you can receive and for how long.

The two types of temporary disability benefits available under Oklahoma workers’ compensation are:

  • Temporary Total Disability (TTD) – For workers who cannot perform any job duties while recovering.
  • Temporary Partial Disability (TPD) – For workers who return to work with restrictions but earn less than before the injury.

Once your type of disability is established, your payments are calculated as follows:

  • Temporary Total Disability (TTD) pays 70% of your average weekly wage (AWW), up to a maximum amount set annually by the Oklahoma Workers Compensation Commission. For injuries occurring in 2025, the maximum weekly benefit is $1,083.46.
  • Temporary Partial Disability (TPD) pays 70% of the difference between your pre-injury wages and your reduced post-injury wages, also subject to the maximum weekly benefit cap. In addition, the combined total of your actual earnings and your TPD payments cannot exceed the current TTD maximum.

For example, if your average weekly wage (AWW) was $1,000 and, after your injury, you can only earn $400 per week on light duty, TPD would pay 70% of the $600 difference, which is $420 per week. However, your combined total earnings (your light-duty wage plus the TPD benefit) cannot exceed the maximum weekly benefit for Temporary Total Disability, which is $1,083.46 for injuries in 2025. TPD benefits are paid until you are released to full duty, reach maximum medical improvement (MMI), or reach the statutory time limit set by Oklahoma law.

To avoid interruptions in benefits, be sure to:

  • Report your injury to your employer as soon as possible (within 30 days is required).
  • Follow your authorized physician’s treatment plan and attend all medical appointments.
  • Keep records of your wages before and after the injury.
  • Respond promptly to all requests from your employer or insurance company.
  • Seek legal guidance immediately if your checks are late, benefits are denied, or your employer disputes your work status.

Insurance companies often contest temporary disability claims, so taking these steps helps protect your right to timely payments. If your benefits are disputed, the Oklahoma City workers compensation lawyers at Burton Law Group can help you challenge the decision and recover what you’re owed.

How Permanent Disability Benefits Are Determined in Oklahoma

If you reach maximum medical improvement but are left with a lasting injury or loss of function, you may qualify for permanent disability benefits under Oklahoma workers’ compensation law. The process for obtaining permanent benefits is detailed and sometimes adversarial, making accurate documentation and experienced legal guidance essential.

There are two main types of permanent disability in Oklahoma, each with specific calculation methods:

  • Permanent Partial Disability (PPD) – For workers with a lasting impairment who can still work, possibly with restrictions.
  • Permanent Total Disability (PTD) – For workers whose injuries prevent any form of gainful employment.

Here’s how permanent disability benefits are determined:

  • After you reach Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI), a physician assigns an impairment rating using the AMA Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment—this is used in determining your benefit amount.
  • Oklahoma law sets a specific number of weeks assigned to each body part under the workers’ compensation schedule (e.g., the hand = 200 weeks, other extremities vary by statute).
  • Permanent Partial Disability (PPD) benefits are calculated by multiplying your impairment percentage by the number of scheduled weeks and then by 70% of your average weekly wage (AWW). However, there is a maximum weekly PPD rate of $360, which has not changed for injuries since July 1, 2021.
  • Permanent Total Disability (PTD) benefits are paid at 70% of your AWW, subject to the annual maximum set by the Oklahoma Workers’ Compensation Commission (for example, $1,083.46 for 2025 with applicability to PTD as well as TTD). These benefits may continue for life, provided you remain unable to perform any gainful employment.

To help your claim succeed, be sure to:

  • Obtain all medical records and doctor’s impairment ratings.
  • Understand the statutory schedules for each body part affected.
  • Review every calculation and payment statement for accuracy.
  • Request an Independent Medical Examination (IME) if you disagree with the insurance company’s assessment.
  • File for a hearing before the Oklahoma Workers Compensation Court if your benefits are denied, reduced, or your impairment rating is disputed.

Permanent disability claims often involve detailed negotiations or litigation, so working with a knowledgeable Oklahoma workers compensation attorney can protect your future and your family’s financial security. 

Get the Right Compensation With Burton Law Group

The financial and medical impact of a workplace injury can last a lifetime. Oklahoma workers compensation laws are designed to provide a safety net, but insurance companies often make the process difficult. Burton Law Group has decades of experience representing injured Oklahomans, ensuring workers receive the temporary and permanent disability benefits they are entitled to under the law. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation and let us fight for your future.