What type of benefits are provided for permanent impairments under Hawaii's workers' compensation?

In Hawaii's workers' compensation system, benefits for permanent impairments are specifically classified as permanency benefits. These benefits are designed to compensate workers who have sustained lasting injuries that affect their ability to perform their job duties or their quality of life. When a worker is deemed to have a permanent impairment after reaching maximum medical improvement, they may receive a lump sum payment reflecting the severity of their impairment.

Permanency benefits are awarded based on a standardized rating system that considers the extent of the disability and its impact on the worker's overall functioning. This differs from other types of benefits in the workers' compensation system, such as temporary disability benefits, which provide compensation during the time an injured worker is unable to work due to a temporary condition. Medical expense reimbursement covers healthcare costs directly related to the work injury, and vocational rehabilitation services aim to help injured workers return to work with new skills if they can no longer perform their previous job. Each type of benefit serves a specific purpose within the broader context of workers' compensation but is distinct from permanency benefits, which specifically address ongoing impairments.