When injuries happen on the job, the state’s workers’ compensation system is there to help you return to the workforce as soon as possible. This system is set up to cover the cost of medical care and replace your lost wages, even when you cannot make a case for negligence.
The extent of the benefits you receive depends on something known as your impairment rating. This is a score that represents the severity of your condition. With the help of a dedicated disability claims attorney, you can learn more about how Glendale assessment of impairment ratings can impact your claim.
Under state law, numerous factors determine the extent of a person’s workplace injury. The rating assigned to a person’s condition will directly impact the amount of disability benefits available to them. These ratings are given by a physician who has evaluated the employee and understands how the workers’ compensation system operates.
The impairment rating is calculated as a percentage, with a 100 percent rating equaling a total disability. Not only does the percentage identify the severity of the injury, but it is also used to multiply the scheduled amount of compensation for the body part in question.
The first factor that goes into the rating is the injured part of the body and the severity of the condition. The physician will review things like pain and lost range of motion, among other things. They will also take into account:
While a poor rating is not helpful, it does not guarantee a disadvantageous outcome. An attorney in Glendale can challenge the assessment of impairment ratings to obtain the maximum available benefits.
Assessment of impairment ratings can have a significant impact on the outcome of Glendale workers’ compensation claims. The score that is assigned to a given injury by the physician will directly affect the amount of benefits available through a workplace injury claim.
Once the rating is established, it is used to determine the amount of compensation a worker is entitled to recover—if any. This percentage is used to calculate the monetary award based on the injured worker’s weekly wage at the time they were hurt.
For example, a worker with a 50 percent rating for an arm injury could be entitled to recover half of their weekly wages based on their score. However, there are income caps to consider in these cases.
Sometimes, Glendale workers will not agree with their assessment of impairment rating given to their disability by the treating physician. However, there is a limited time to act, meaning waiting too long to dispute a rating could leave a worker stuck.
There are different approaches to this challenge. Workers have the right to request another doctor to review their case or request a benefit review conference. Neither of these approaches is guaranteed to be successful, but a dedicated workers’ compensation attorney can explain the differences and help an injured worker choose the right option for their case.
If you were hurt on the job, the impairment rating given to you by a doctor can have a significant impact on your workers’ compensation claim. If you did not get the result you believe you deserve, work with an attorney to dispute the ratings. Reach out to Glauber Berenson Vego to discuss Glendale assessment of impairment ratings.
