Temporary Disability Benefits end when the injured worker returns to work or the injured worker reaches medical maximum improvement (commonly referred to as MMI).
MMI is when an injured worker has reached a plateau and nothing further can be done to improve their medical condition. The cutting off of benefits due to MMI usually occurs as a result of a very serious injury. The injured worker cannot return to work and begins a very difficult period between temporary disability benefits being cut off and permanent disability benefits being started after the case has been resolved by a settlement or trial.
One way that Workers Compensation carriers alleviate some of the financial hardship to the injured worker is to make a Voluntary Tender of permanent disability benefits which are paid over time. These benefits are paid weekly (or monthly) but are less than temporary disability benefits.