How Much Does TPD Pay in Florida?Temporary Partial Disability (TPD) Benefits

Temporary Partial Disability Benefits Explained

Temporary Partial Disability benefits, commonly called TPD benefits, provide partial wage replacement when a workplace injury allows an employee to return to some work, but medical restrictions prevent the employee from earning what he or she earned before the accident. In Florida, TPD benefits may be available when an injured worker has not reached Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI), has medical restrictions resulting from the workplace injury, and experiences a qualifying reduction in post-injury earning capacity.

How Much Does TPD Pay in Florida?

Florida does not calculate TPD by simply paying two-thirds of the difference between your old wages and your new wages. Under Florida Statute § 440.15(4), TPD is generally calculated as 80% of the difference between 80% of the employee's pre-injury average weekly wage and the wages or other remuneration the employee is able to earn after the injury. Weekly TPD benefits cannot exceed 66 2/3% of the employee's pre-injury average weekly wage.

Example: Assume an injured employee had a pre-injury average weekly wage of $1,000 and, because of work restrictions, is now able to earn only $500 per week.

80% of the $1,000 AWW = $800.

$800 − $500 in post-injury earnings = $300.

80% of that $300 difference = $240 in potential weekly TPD benefits.

The actual calculation depends on the worker's average weekly wage, post-injury earnings or earning ability, work status, and other facts applicable to the claim.

Who Qualifies for Temporary Partial Disability Benefits?

TPD generally applies when an authorized treating physician releases an injured employee to return to work with restrictions, but the medical limitations resulting from the workplace injury reduce the employee's ability to earn his or her pre-injury wages. Restrictions might limit lifting, standing, walking, bending, driving, climbing, use of an injured extremity, the number of hours an employee can work, or the types of duties the employee can safely perform. The medical restrictions and resulting loss of earnings are both important to a TPD claim.

What if My Employer Offers Light-Duty Work?

An employer may offer modified or light-duty work that falls within the restrictions imposed by the authorized treating physician. If the employee accepts the work but earns sufficiently less than before the accident, TPD benefits may supplement those reduced earnings. Whether benefits are owed depends on the statutory calculation and the employee's actual or legally attributable post-injury earning ability. A dispute can arise when the employer claims suitable work is available but the employee contends that the proposed job exceeds the authorized medical restrictions.

What if My Employer Has No Work Within My Restrictions?

Being medically released to restricted duty does not necessarily mean that an injured employee will immediately return to earning his or her pre-accident wages. If the workplace injury creates restrictions and the employer cannot provide suitable work within those restrictions, the employee may have a claim for TPD benefits depending on the circumstances. The relationship between the authorized medical restrictions and the employee's post-injury ability to earn wages is therefore critical.

How Long Can TPD Benefits Continue?

Temporary Partial Disability benefits are temporary. Under Florida law, they are payable only while the injured worker has not reached overall Maximum Medical Improvement and the medical conditions resulting from the accident continue to restrict the worker's ability to return to work. Florida law also places limits on the duration of temporary disability benefits. TTD, TPD, MMI, and the statutory maximum periods can interact, making the employee's complete benefit and medical history important when determining continuing entitlement.

When Can TPD Benefits Be Reduced or Stopped?

TPD benefits may change or stop when the employee returns to full earnings, the authorized physician removes the work restrictions, the employee reaches MMI, suitable employment is refused, required earnings information is not provided, or another statutory basis applies. Because TPD is calculated by comparing pre-injury wages with post-injury earning ability on a weekly basis, changes in hours, wages, overtime, or other remuneration can also affect the amount payable. If TPD checks are reduced or stopped while you remain under authorized work restrictions and continue to experience wage loss, the reason should be reviewed promptly.

Temporary Partial vs. Temporary Total Disability

The basic distinction is straightforward:

	TTD	TPD
Medical status	Unable to work	Able to work with restrictions
Earnings	Generally no post-injury wages	May have reduced post-injury earnings
Purpose	Wage replacement while temporarily unable to work	Partial wage replacement while temporarily restricted
Key evidence	Authorized doctor's no-work status	Medical restrictions and post-injury earning ability

An employee's status can change during a workers' compensation claim. A worker may initially receive TTD while completely out of work and later transition to TPD when an authorized physician releases the employee to restricted duty.

When to Speak With a Florida Workers' Compensation Lawyer

TPD disputes can have an immediate financial effect when an injured employee returns to restricted work but cannot earn the wages earned before the accident. Legal assistance may be appropriate when the insurance carrier refuses to pay TPD, calculates the average weekly wage incorrectly, attributes wages to you that you are not actually able to earn, stops benefits despite continuing medical restrictions, or contends that you refused suitable employment.

Workers’ Compensation Cases Require Serious Preparation

A workplace injury claim can involve much more than proving that an accident occurred on the job. Counsel must be prepared to establish timely notice, medical causation, work restrictions, entitlement to authorized treatment, lost-wage benefits, permanent impairment, and the need for future care. TPD disputes often center on what the authorized doctor says an employee can do, what work the employer actually makes available, and what the injured employee is capable of earning after the accident. The employer or insurance carrier may dispute the extent of the restrictions, contend that suitable light-duty work was offered, challenge the employee's wage loss, or calculate TPD using earnings or an average weekly wage the employee disputes.

📞 Call Today — Discuss Your Workers’ Compensation Claim Directly With Dan

If you were injured at work, returned to work at reduced wages, were placed under restrictions your employer will not accommodate, or had your TPD or other wage benefits delayed, underpaid, or stopped, contact Daniel B Reinfeld, PA. You will speak directly with Dan—not a call center or intake department. Dan has more than 25 years of Florida legal experience, including experience representing insurance companies in civil litigation. He personally evaluates and handles every case accepted by the firm from the initial consultation through settlement or hearing. You do not need to travel to our Hollywood office to begin. Consultations may be available by telephone, Zoom video conference, hospital visit, or home visit when appropriate.

All Consultations Are Free • No attorney's fee unless a recovery is obtained • Evening and weekend appointments available • Wage benefits can be interrupted and legal deadlines can expire • Contact Dan promptly to protect your rights and pursue the workers' compensation benefits available under Florida law.

CALL TODAY to speak directly with Dan: 📞 (954) 923-6110