If you have filed a claim for workers’ compensation benefits because of an injury or illness, you might have heard the term impairment rating. An impairment rating can play a major role in your benefits and the settlement you get for your claim. Your treating physician will assign an impairment rating when you have reached your maximum level of recovery and you are being released from his or her medical care. This rating will tell you, your employer, and the insurance company about the severity of your injury and its lasting effects on you and your work performance. The Impairment Rating An impairment rating might be called a permanent disability rating. It will assess the extent of damage that you suffered because of the occupational disease or work-related injury. This rating will determine how much you receive in permanent disability or as a lump sum settlement. If your injury or illness results in a permanent impairment to your mental health or physical condition at all, even if it is very minimal, you have what is called a permanent impairment. However, having a permanent impairment does not necessarily you will receive an award for permanent impairment, as that depends on state laws. Some states do not call for monetary awards for low levels of permanent impairments. Determining a Permanent Disability When no further medical treatment can result in an improvement in your medical condition, and you have basically reached a stationary level, your physician will assess your health to determine if you suffered a permanent disability. This stage of your claim is often called the “maximum medical improvement” stage or level. This means you are at an appointment where your condition will no longer improve and will not improve anymore over time. A doctor who handles workers’ compensation claims will conduct a thorough physical examination, and if necessary a mental evaluation, to evaluate your permanent disability. Some workers’ compensation physicians will not do these assessments, and instead, an independent medical examiner will come in and perform the exam. For example, if your problem is a back injury, the physician will assess your range of movement, your ability to stand and sit, your ability to bend and reach, and whether you can lift and carry, and if so, the weight limits. Of course, the higher the impairment rating, the more severe your disability and the more you will be affected by your injury or illness. Consult with a Workers’ Compensation Attorney A workers’ compensation attorney will make sure your impairment rating gets the compensation that it deserves when your workers’ compensation claim is settled. Negotiating with insurance companies can be tricky, and workers’ compensation claims are very detailed and complicated. Because of the time limits that apply, you should consult with a workers’ compensation attorney as soon as you can. You have nothing at all to lose. Complete the Free Case Evaluation Form on this page to have your claim reviewed by an attorney in your area. Additional Resources Workers' Compensation Attorneys by State What Should I Do If I am Offered a Lump Sum Settlement?
