This workers comp glossary explains the words and phrases every injured worker runs into – from “TTD” and “PPD” to “MMI,” “impairment rating,” and “compromise and release” – in plain English. Use the search box or the A-Z filter to find any term fast, then tap it to read a clear, jargon-free definition written for hurt workers, not for insurance adjusters or lawyers. Knowing what each term means is the first step to protecting your claim and understanding what your case may really be worth.
Why a Workers Comp Glossary Matters
A workers’ compensation claim buries you in language that can feel built to wear you down – letters from the insurer, medical reports, settlement papers, and deadlines, all full of abbreviations. A clear workers comp glossary turns that wall of jargon into plain English, so you can tell what a benefit actually pays, what a form is really asking, and where your claim might be at risk. Whether you were just hurt on the job, got a denial letter, or were handed a settlement offer, knowing the right words is what lets you make your own decisions instead of simply going along with whatever the adjuster says.
Workers’ comp is also run state by state. What your weekly check is worth, how long you have to report an injury or file a claim, and how a settlement is calculated all change depending on where you work. That is why this workers comp glossary keeps every definition focused on what a term means for you as an injured worker – and why, throughout the site, we pair these definitions with real, current figures from state workers’-comp boards, the U.S. Department of Labor (OWCP), the National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI), and the Social Security Administration (SSA), so you can move from understanding a term to seeing what it really means for your case.
The Most Important Terms to Learn First
If you only learn a handful of terms from this glossary, start with these. Average weekly wage (AWW) is your typical pay before the injury, and your comp rate – usually about two-thirds of it – is the weekly amount that drives almost every benefit and settlement figure. While you cannot work, you receive temporary total disability (TTD); if you can work but earn less, you receive temporary partial disability (TPD). The single most important medical milestone is maximum medical improvement (MMI) – the point where your condition stabilizes and your permanent disability and settlement value are usually decided.
A few more terms catch injured workers out. Once you reach MMI, a doctor assigns an impairment rating that sets your permanent partial disability (PPD) – the heart of most settlements. The insurer may send you to an independent medical exam (IME), a second-opinion appointment often used to dispute your benefits, so treat it as high-stakes. Watch your statute of limitations, the hard deadline to file your claim, because missing it can end your case. And before signing any compromise and release (C&R), understand that it usually closes your claim – including future medical care – for good. Learn these and the rest of the glossary below will make a lot more sense.
How to Use This Workers Comp Glossary
This workers comp glossary is built for injured workers, not for adjusters. Every definition is written in everyday language and focuses on what a term means for your claim. Type any word into the search box to filter instantly, or click a letter to jump to that part of the alphabet. Grey letters have no entries. Each term carries a colored tag showing its topic – benefit types, medical and recovery, claim and process, settlements, legal and rights, or employer and insurance – so you can see at a glance what part of workers’ comp it belongs to.
Because what your benefits are worth and what your state requires both change by state and over time, treat these definitions as your starting point, not the final word. Once a term makes sense, the next step is to see the real figures for your situation – what settlements typically run in your state, the exact deadline to file your claim, and how your weekly check is calculated. You will find those throughout Workers Comp Explained, with current numbers drawn from state workers’-comp boards, the U.S. Department of Labor, NCCI, and the SSA.
This workers comp glossary is provided for general informational purposes only and is not legal, medical, or financial advice. Definitions are simplified for everyday readers, settlement values are illustrative, and requirements vary by state and change over time. For advice about your specific situation, confirm the exact rule, deadline, and figure with your state workers’ compensation board and a licensed attorney before you act. Last reviewed June 2026.