39-71-736. Compensation -- from what dates paid. (1) (a) Except as provided in subsection (1)(c), compensation may not be paid for the first 32 hours or 4 days of loss of wages, whichever is less, that the worker is totally disabled and unable to work because of an injury. A worker is eligible for compensation starting with the 5th day.

(b) Separate benefits of medical and hospital services must be furnished from the date of injury.

(c) If the worker is totally disabled and unable to work in any capacity for 21 days or longer, compensation must be paid retroactively to the first day of total wage loss unless the worker waives the payment as provided in subsection (2)(b)(ii).

(2) (a) For the purpose of this section, except as provided in subsection (3), a worker is not considered to be entitled to compensation benefits if the worker is receiving sick leave benefits, except that each day for which the worker elects to receive sick leave counts 1 day toward the 4-day waiting period.

(b) A worker who is entitled to receive retroactive compensation benefits pursuant to subsection (1)(c) but who took sick leave as provided in subsection (2)(a) may elect to either:

(i) repay the employer the amount of salary for the sick leave received; or

(ii) waive the retroactive payment of benefits attributable to any days or hours for which the worker received sick leave.

(3) Augmentation of temporary total disability benefits with sick leave by an employer pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement may not disqualify a worker from receiving temporary total disability benefits.

(4) Receipt of vacation leave or paid time off leave, other than sick leave, by a worker may not affect the worker's eligibility for temporary total disability benefits.