Impairment Rating: An Important Concept in Workers’ Compensation

Workplace injuries are a significant concern in the United States. They are a threat to employees’ well-being as well as the company’s productivity and financial stability.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics recorded 2.6 million non-fatal workplace injuries and illnesses in 2023. While this is the record of non-fatal injuries, many cases lead to death or permanent disability. High-risk industries, such as construction and manufacturing, do have a higher rate of injuries. The harsh truth is that no industry is truly safe.

Even if industries take strict safety measures, accidents do happen. In such cases, laws are established to ensure that the employees are taken care of so that they are not left without any support.

Workers’ Compensation

Workers’ compensation is the support provided to a worker who has been injured at their workplace or falls ill due to workplace conditions. This system is set up to ensure the safety and security of all working individuals in the country so that, in case of an accident that leads to financial and health decline, workers can rest assured that their needs are met.

The workers’ compensation settlement process involves numerous components. An impairment rating is one of them.

What is an Impairment Rating?

Impairment, by definition, is the loss of functionality. An impairment rating is a measure of a person’s level of impairment.

Under workers’ compensation, impairment rating helps to determine the level of impairment a person has after an injury or illness caused at or because of the workplace. This is done by medical professionals.

Rating Physician’s Qualifications

A physician who is chosen to conduct the examination required for impairment rating is supposed to meet the required criteria:

• Medical license
• Board certification in their field (e.g., neurologist, cardiologist, etc.)
• American Board of Independent Medical Examiners (ABIME) certification/ American Academy of Disability Evaluating Physicians (AADEP) certification/ Experience in using the AMA’s Guides/ professional background and work experience to conduct such ratings

What is MMI?

If an injured worker’s condition has reached a point where it cannot be improved further, even with more treatment, that point is called Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI). Once the worker is said to have reached MMI, the worker is removed from the temporary impairment status, and the company can stop paying the benefits.

Importance of Impairment Rating

Impairment ratings are vital to determine the nature of a worker’s injury or illness. They can be categorized under the types of impairment under the workers’ compensation law, namely:

• Temporary Impairment
• Permanent Impairment

This rating is beyond a number; it helps to determine how much compensation a worker must be given after an injury caused in or because of their workplace. By categorizing, it becomes easier for the law to provide the worker with fair compensation so that the worker can recover properly and get on with their life.

Importance of Contacting a Workers’ Compensation Attorney

When injured or ill at your workplace, the most important step is to contact a good workers’ compensation attorney. These experienced professionals understand the intricacies of the law and can represent you in legal matters. They will ensure that you get the best compensation to rest and concentrate on your recovery.