Determining the Degree of a Permanent Disability
When you have been hurt on the job, you’re entitled to seek workers’ compensation benefits. Those benefits take a couple different forms—temporary benefits for any time when you are unable to perform the duties of your job and permanent benefits for any disability from which you cannot fully recover.
When you have a permanent disability, the amount of benefits you’ll receive will depend on a couple of factors—the amount of income you had in the 12 month period before your injury and the degree to which you are permanently disabled. The extent of your disability is known as yourimpairment rating.
How Is an Impairment Rating Determined?
Impairment ratings are established by approved medical professionals based on a thorough examination. As a general rule, a doctor or physician will not seek to determine an impairment rating until he or she has concluded that the injured person has attained “maximum medical improvement” or MMI, meaning that the doctor does not believe the person’s medical condition will get any better.
Calculating Your Benefits Based on an Impairment Rating
To determine how much you will receive in workers’ compensation benefits for a permanent disability, you’ll need to first determine your average weekly wages (AWW) for the past 52 weeks. That’s the total amount you received during that period, divided by 52. In most states, you’ll be eligible for 70% of the AWW if you are totally disabled (unable to work at all). If your permanent disability is only partial, you’ll then multiply the amount of the full benefits by the impairment rating. For example, if your average weekly wage was $700 and you are deemed 40% permanently disabled, you will be entitled to a monthly benefit of $196 ($700 x .7 x .4).
Make an Appointment Today
At Advantage Healthcare Systems, we have extensive experience determining impairment ratings for people who have been hurt at work. Call today at 1-877-487-8289 or complete the form below to set up your first assessment. We have offices conveniently located in Dallas, Fort Worth and San Antonio.
