If you are unable to work for 5 days due to a work-related injury, you are entitled to indemnity benefits (disability checks). You are not entitled to indemnity benefits for the first 5 days. However, if your disability extends beyond 21 days, then you are entitled to the first 5 days of disability.
For example:
- You injure your shoulder at work and miss 18 days of work before returning to full duty. You are only able to argue for 13 days of disability benefits because you forfeit the first 5 days when your disability does not extend beyond 21 days.
- You injure your shoulder at work and miss 25 days of work before returning to full duty. You are able to argue for all 25 days of disability benefits because your disability extended beyond 21 days.
