Sec. 32. The provisions of this article may not be construed to result in an award of benefits in which the number of weeks paid and to be paid for temporary total disability, temporary partial disability, or permanent total disability combined exceeds five hundred (500) weeks. This section shall not be construed to prevent a person who is permanently totally disabled from applying for an award under IC 22-3-3-13. However, in case of permanent total disability resulting from an injury occurring on or after January 1, 1998, the minimum total benefit shall not be less than seventy-five thousand dollars ($75,000).

As added by P.L.258-1997(ss), SEC.8.