The letters you get — and what they really mean

Insurance carriers send injured workers official notices called Plain Language Notices (PLNs) — about your checks, your medical status, denials, and more. They’re rarely as “plain” as the name suggests. Find the one you received and read what it actually means for you.

When something is denied, disputed, or investigated

3 notices

The highest-stakes letters. If you get one of these, a deadline is almost always running — and it's the moment a lawyer matters most.

PLN01 Notice of Denial of Compensability / Liability and Refusal to Pay Benefits Time-sensitive

The carrier is denying your claim outright — saying your injury isn't covered and refusing to pay any benefits. No checks will come while it stands. You have a limited window to dispute, so this is the letter to act on immediately.

PLN11 Notice of Disputed Issues and Refusal to Pay Benefits Time-sensitive

A partial denial: the carrier accepts some of your claim but is disputing specific issues — a body part, the extent of injury, or your disability — and won't pay on those. You can challenge it, but deadlines apply.

PLN14 Notice of Continuing Investigation

The carrier says it's still investigating before deciding to accept or deny your claim. You may not be paid yet. The law limits how long they can take, so the date on this letter matters.

When the carrier accepts and starts paying

3 notices

These confirm money is coming and explain how it was calculated. Always check the math — errors here follow you through the whole claim.

PLN02A Notice of First Temporary Income Benefit Payment

Your first wage-replacement check (TIBs) is starting. The letter shows your average weekly wage and weekly benefit rate — the two numbers that drive everything. If the wage looks low, the whole claim is underpaid.

PLN02B Notice of First Payment of Income Benefits on an Acquired Claim

A new insurance carrier or administrator has taken over your claim and is making its first payment. Your benefits should continue unchanged — watch for any quiet differences in amount or type.

PLN06 Notice of Employer Full Salary Payment

Your employer is paying your full salary for a period instead of comp checks. That can affect your income benefits during that time. Make sure the salary actually matches what you're owed.

Changes to your benefit checks

5 notices

A check is changing — in type, in amount, or stopping. The reason and effective date are everything; a wrong one can cost you weeks of benefits.

PLN09 Notice of Suspension of Indemnity Benefits Time-sensitive

Your checks are being stopped. The reason varies — a return to work, reaching MMI, a missed exam, or a dispute. Some suspensions are wrong or premature, and you usually have to act quickly to fight one.

PLN07 Notice of Change of Indemnity Benefit Type

Your benefit is switching from one type to another (for example, temporary income benefits to impairment income benefits). The change can mean a different weekly amount and a different end date. Confirm the switch is correct and on time.

PLN08 Notice of Change in Amount of Indemnity Benefit Payment

Your weekly payment is going up or down. The letter should say why — a recalculated wage, an offset, or a correction. If it dropped without a clear reason, question it.

PLN10A Notice of Reinstatement of Indemnity Benefits

Benefits that were stopped are being restarted. Check that the restart date is right and that any back payments you're owed for the gap are included.

PLN10B Notice of Lump Sum Payment of Income or Death Benefits

A one-time lump-sum payment is being made instead of (or in addition to) weekly checks. Make sure the amount reflects everything you're entitled to before you rely on it.

Maximum medical improvement & impairment

4 notices

These letters decide whether — and how much — you're paid for lasting effects of your injury. The rating drives the dollars, and a low or 0% one is often worth disputing.

PLN03A Notice of Maximum Medical Improvement and No Permanent Impairment Worth a look

A doctor says you've reached maximum medical improvement with a 0% impairment rating — meaning no impairment income benefits. A 0% rating is frequently disputable through a designated doctor, so don't assume it's final.

PLN03B Notice of Maximum Medical Improvement and Permanent Impairment

You've reached MMI with an impairment rating above 0%, so impairment income benefits are owed based on that percentage. Verify the rating — a few points can mean thousands of dollars.

PLN03C Notice of Maximum Medical Improvement and Estimated Permanent Impairment

MMI has been certified but the impairment rating is still an estimate. It's interim — a final rating is coming, and it can change your benefits up or down.

PLN04 Notice of Eligibility for Lifetime Income Benefits Good news

The carrier acknowledges you qualify for lifetime income benefits \xe2\x80\x94 reserved for the most serious, permanent injuries. This is a significant determination; make sure the benefit amount and start date are correct.

Death benefits

2 notices

Letters sent to the family of a worker who died from a work injury, about benefits they may be owed.

PLN12 Notice of Potential Entitlement to Workers' Compensation Death Benefits

Tells a possible beneficiary that they may be entitled to death benefits and how to claim them. Eligibility and deadlines are strict, so it's worth confirming your rights right away.

PLN05 Notice of First Death Benefit Payment

Confirms that death benefit payments to an eligible family member are beginning, and the amount. Check that every entitled beneficiary is accounted for.

When a notice arrives

Check the date. Your deadline to dispute often runs from the day the letter is dated — not the day you read it.
Don’t ignore it. A denial or suspension is not the final word — but only if you act in time.
Keep the envelope. Save the letter and the envelope — the postmark can matter.

LET'S CHAT — WE'RE ONLINE

ES We are available to help — 24/7

Chat Now

Got a letter you don't understand?

Read it to us over the phone or send us a photo by text. We’ll tell you what it means and whether the clock is ticking — for free.

Call 713-223-1234 Text us a photo →

Plain Language Notices are official forms from the Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers' Compensation. The explanations here are general information, not legal advice, and your letter may differ from the standard version. Deadlines apply — if you're unsure what a notice means for your claim, talk to one of our attorneys.