A specialist is processing a claim for a patient who broke their arm while repairing cars at a workplace. The arm is placed in a cast for 6 weeks and the patient is cleared to return to work in 6 weeks. Which type of workers' compensation applies to this patient?

The appropriate classification for this situation is temporary disability. This is because the patient has sustained an injury that prevents them from performing their regular job duties for a specific period—in this case, six weeks while their arm heals in a cast. Temporary disability benefits are designed to provide financial support for employees who are unable to work due to a work-related injury or illness but are expected to recover and return to work within a set timeframe.

In this scenario, since the patient is cleared to return to work after recovering, it clearly aligns with the criteria for temporary disability. The focus here is on the temporary nature of the disability, as it does not indicate any lasting impairments that would fall under permanent disability, nor does it pertain solely to medical expenses, which would be covered by a medical-only claim. Vocational rehabilitation is not relevant in this case, as it typically involves assistance for workers whose injuries prevent them from returning to their previous jobs, which is not applicable given that the patient is expected to return to the same job after recovery.