What is TTD in Florida Workers’ Compensation?

When you’ve been hurt at work, it can feel scary and confusing. You might worry about how you’ll pay your bills if you can’t work. That’s where Florida Workers’ Compensation helps. One type of benefit you might hear about is called TTD, or Temporary Total Disability Benefits.

But what is TTD?

Don’t worry—our workers’ compensation lawyers break it all down in a way that’s easy to understand. At the Law Offices of David M. Benenfeld, we have been providing injured employees with legal representation to seek the financial support and medical treatment they need for many years, working on a contingency fee basis. That means there is never a charge for us to help you seek compensation for your workplace injury until we win your case.

Keep reading to learn more about TTD.

What Does TTD Mean? A Fort Lauderdale Workers’ Compensation Attorney Explains

TTD stands for Temporary Total Disability. It’s a kind of workers’ compensation benefit in Florida that helps injured workers when they get hurt on the job. If your injury prevents you from working at all for a period of time, you might qualify for TTD. The “temporary” part means it’s not forever—these benefits last only while you’re recovering.

For example, imagine you work on a construction site and fall off a ladder, breaking your leg. If the doctor says you can’t work until your leg heals, you may be eligible for TTD benefits.

Breaking Down the Workers’ Comp Benefits

• Temporary. This means these disability benefits are not permanent. Once you recover and can go back to work, you will no longer receive benefits.
• Total. This means you cannot do your job at all during your recovery. If you can work a little bit, you might qualify for a different type of benefit.
• Disability. This means you have a condition due to a workplace injury that keeps you from doing your job.

Each of these words is important because they explain when and how TTD applies. If you meet all three parts—temporary, total, and disabled from work—you could qualify for TTD through workers’ comp.

How TTD Benefits Work Under the State’s Workers’ Compensation Laws

If you can’t work because of a workplace injury, TTD benefits give you money to help cover your lost wages. They’re like a paycheck replacement, though not as much as your usual paycheck.

These wage replacement benefits help people who suffer work-related injuries focus on getting well without the added stress of lost income. TTD:

• Covers a work-related injury that prevents you from working
• Provides two-thirds of average weekly wage
• Continues until your work status changes and/or maximum medical improvement
• Applies to various types of workplace accidents
• Allows workers to focus on recovery

How Much Money Do You Get?

TTD benefits usually pay two-thirds of your regular paycheck. For example:

• If you normally make $600 a week, TTD would give you about $400 a week.
• If you make $900 a week, TTD would give you about $600 a week.

There’s a limit on how much workers’ compensation can pay you. This limit changes every year based on state rules, so the amount you can receive through your workers’ comp claim depends on when you got hurt.

When Do These Workers’ Comp Benefits Start?

The first week after your injury doesn’t always count for TTD benefits. Usually, there’s a waiting period. If your injury keeps you out of work for more than seven days, your benefits will begin on day eight. If you’re out more than 21 days, you might get money for those first seven days too.

How Long Can You Get TTD?

Florida law says an injured employee can receive TTD benefits for up to 104 weeks or until a doctor determines that the employee has reached maximum medical improvement or can return to work. There are ways though that your lawyer can potentially help you increase this benefit beyond 104 weeks if you have not reached maximum medical improvement.  In cases of severe injury, an injured worker can collect 80% of their wages for six months.

Who Qualifies for TTD?

Not every injured worker qualifies for TTD benefits. You must meet certain rules:

1. Your injury was work-related. This means your accident happened while you were on the job or doing something for work.
2. Your authorized doctor says you can’t work. Your employer’s insurance company will need proof from an authorized doctor. For example, after your fall from the ladder, the doctor’s report might explain that you must stay off your feet while your leg heals.
3. You cannot work at all. If you can work a little bit, but just not at your regular job, you might qualify for other workers’ compensation benefits called temporary partial disability (TPD).

How TTD Helps Workers

Getting hurt at work can turn your life upside down. Many people rely on their paychecks to pay for rent, food, and other needs. If you cannot work, you might wonder how you’ll keep up with your bills.

TTD takes away some of the stress while you recover. By paying part of your regular wages, this benefit helps injured workers focus on healing without worrying as much about money.

For example, imagine Maria works at a grocery store. While stocking shelves, she strains her back and can’t lift anything heavy. Her doctor tells her she needs bed rest for several weeks. During this time, Maria’s TTD benefits help her cover her bills until she’s healthy enough to return to work.

What Should You Do If You Think You Qualify?

As workers’ compensation attorneys will tell you, if you’re injured, you must take the right steps after a workplace injury if you want to apply for TTD benefits. Here’s what you should do:

1. Report Your Injury Right Away. Florida law says you must tell your employer about your injury within 30 days. However, don’t wait—tell them as soon as you can.
2. See an Authorized Doctor. Your employer (or their insurance company) will send you to an authorized workers’ compensation doctor, who will examine you and decide if you should stay home from work.
3. Follow Doctor’s Orders. If the doctor says you shouldn’t work, make sure you follow their advice. The insurance company, which will pay for your authorized medical bills, might check to make sure you’re sticking to the treatment plan while receiving medical benefits.
4. File a Workers’ Comp Claim. Your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance should handle your TTD claim. If your employer’s insurance carrier approves the claim, you’ll start receiving payments.

If workers’ compensation insurance denies your claim, don’t give up. Instead, talk to a workers’ compensation attorney to help you fight for your benefits.

Can You Work While Getting TTD?

TTD only applies if you can’t work at all. If your doctor says you can work part-time or do light-duty tasks, you won’t qualify for TTD. Instead, you might qualify for partial benefits (like TPD).

Be honest about your condition. If you try to work while collecting TTD benefits, the insurance company might find out, which could cause trouble for you.

FAQs About Florida’s Workers’ Compensation System

1. What is Workers’ Compensation?

Workers’ compensation is a type of insurance that helps employees who get hurt or sick because of their jobs. It pays for medical treatment, lost wages, and other benefits while you recover. The system seeks to protect workers and employers by avoiding long lawsuits.

2. What Should I Do If I Get Injured at Work?

If you get hurt at work, report your injury to your employer right away—ideally within 24 hours. State law requires you to report it within 30 days. After reporting, your employer will guide you on the next steps, including setting up a doctor’s visit through their workers’ compensation insurance.

3. Who Is Eligible for Workers’ Compensation?

Almost all employees in Florida are covered by workers’ compensation, as required by law. To be eligible, your injury or illness must happen while performing your job duties.

4. What Benefits Does Workers’ Compensation Provide?

Workers’ compensation can cover medical expenses, a portion of lost wages, and rehabilitation if you need help returning to work. It may also provide benefits if you’re permanently disabled. For temporary injuries, benefits like Temporary Total Disability (TTD) or Temporary Partial Disability (TPD) might apply.

5. What Is TTD (Temporary Total Disability)?

TTD, or Temporary Total Disability, is a benefit for workers who cannot work at all because of a work-related injury. It provides part of your lost wages while you recover. TTD typically pays two-thirds of your regular paycheck and continues as long as your authorized doctor says you cannot work, up to 104 weeks.  There are, however, ways to continue these benefits beyond 104 weeks despite what the Florida Statutes say.

6. How Long Does It Take to Receive Workers’ Comp Benefits?

Once you report your injury and file a claim, the insurance company has 14 days to start paying your benefits, as long as the claim is approved. However, you might have to wait longer if there are delays with reporting, medical evaluations, or claim approval.

7. What If My Workers’ Compensation Claim Is Denied? 

If your claim is denied, you should talk to a workers’ compensation attorney. A denial might happen if the insurance carrier challenges whether your injury is work-related or questions the severity. A workers’ comp attorney can help you appeal the decision and fight for your benefits.

Do You Need Help with Your Workers’ Compensation Claim? Our Florida Workers’ Compensation Attorneys at the Law Offices of David M. Benenfeld are Here for You

Dealing with a work injury can be tough, especially when you’re worried about bills or medical care. The good news is, you don’t have to handle the claims process alone.

At the Law Offices of David M. Benenfeld, we understand how confusing the workers’ compensation process can seem. We’re here to fight for the benefits you need, like TTD, so you can focus on healing. If you have questions or problems with your claim, don’t wait—contact us at (954) 677-0155(954) 677-0155 to schedule your free consultation with a Florida workers’ compensation lawyer. We work on a contingency fee basis, so you do not pay us until we win your case.

At the Law Offices of David M. Benenfeld, If You’ve Been Hurt – We Can Help!

Copyright © 2025. Law Offices of David M. Benenfeld, P.A. All rights reserved.

The information in this blog post (“post”) is provided for general informational purposes only and may not reflect the current law in your jurisdiction. No information in this post should be construed as legal advice from the individual author or the law firm, nor is it intended to be a substitute for legal counsel on any subject matter. No reader of this post should act or refrain from acting based on any information included in or accessible through this post without seeking the appropriate legal or other professional advice on the particular facts and circumstances at issue from a lawyer licensed in the recipient’s state, country, or other appropriate licensing jurisdiction.

Law Offices of David M. Benenfeld, P.A.

7800 West Oakland Park Blvd, Building F, Suite 216
Sunrise, FL 33351
(954) 677-0155(954) 677-0155
https://www.injurylawservice.com/