Website SurveyThe Delivery of Temporary Income Benefits under the Texas Workers' Compensation System: Receipt of First Payment(July 1993)
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARYA primary component of all workers' compensation insurance programs is the replacement of lost earnings. This is accomplished through the provision of cash payments, commonly referred to as income benefits. Although there are several classifications of income benefits, the first payments normally received by injured workers in Texas are temporary income benefits (TIBs). These benefits are intended to provide injured workers with monetary support during their convalescence. To alleviate worker hardship and to ensure efficiency in the workers' compensation system, it is important that the initial payment of benefits occurs in a timely manner. The purpose of this study is to provide an objective analysis of the elapsed time period prior to the receipt of the first TIBs payment and to provide baseline data for comparative purposes in subsequent years. This study compares the delivery of benefits under the old and new laws. The study also examines late payments under the new law in an attempt to identify characteristics and/or behaviors that were more likely to result in an injured worker receiving a late payment. Data collected by the Industrial Accident Board for reported injuries occurring in 1989 and data collected by the Texas Workers' Compensation Commission for reported injuries occurring in 1991 formed the basis for analysis. The comparison of the delivery of benefits under the old and new laws analyzed 119,922 1989 claims and 73,011 1991 claims.1 The analysis of late payments under the new law was based on 66,614 claims. A total of 6,397 controverted claims were excluded. Key findings are presented below. Comparison of Benefit Delivery: 1989 and 1991
1991 Late Payments
Characteristics Associated with Late Payment of 1991 Claims
Behaviors Associated with Late Payment of 1991 Claims
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For more information contact: WCResearch@tdi.state.tx.us Last updated: 10/12/2007 |