Impairment Ratings for Workers Compensation

Impairment ratings play a key role in determining workers’ compensation benefits. Specifically, they dictate the length of time you can receive benefits and the amount of money you’re awarded. At Monument Occupational Medicine in Colorado Springs, Colorado, Susan Cump, PA, Anjmun Sharma, MD, and their team provide impairment ratings for workers’ compensation cases. Call Monument Occupational Medicine today to schedule an impairment rating evaluation, or book your appointment online.

What are impairment ratings for workers’ compensation?

Impairment ratings for workers’ compensation determine the severity of an individual’s impairment after a workplace accident or illness. Impairment ratings are based on a scale of 0-100% and vary depending on the body part affected.

After the Monument Occupational Medicine team determines your impairment rating, your employer and their insurance company use it to determine how much workers’ compensation you receive and for how long.

What types of impairment ratings for workers’ compensation are there?

Impairment ratings for workers’ compensation fall into several categories, including:

Permanent impairment

Permanent impairment refers to an injury or illness that’s ongoing and incurable. For example, losing a limb to a piece of heavy machinery is a permanent impairment.

Temporary impairment

Temporary impairment refers to an injury or illness that heals over time. For example, if you break a leg while working, you might need to take 8-10 weeks off but can return to the job after your bone heals.

Partial impairment

Partial impairment is an injury or illness affecting a specific body part. For example, you might be diagnosed with a partial impairment if you lose hearing in a single ear or vision in one eye.

Total impairment

Total impairment affects your entire body. Paralysis caused by a spinal cord injury is an example of total impairment.

The Monument Occupational Medicine team uses your impairment rating to determine your workers’ compensation benefits and recovery period.

What happens during an impairment rating exam?

An impairment rating exam is similar to a traditional physical.

First, your Monument Occupational Health provider reviews your medical records and all of the documentation regarding your workplace injury or illness. Tell them about the steps you’re taking to promote healing, including any medication you take and therapies you’re undergoing.

Next, your provider completes a physical exam. The exam includes all of the features of a traditional physical but focuses on your specific injury or illness. Specifically, your provider assesses your level of impairment and determines whether your symptoms are getting better or worse.

At the end of the exam, your provider calculates your impairment rating. Each rating has an associated dollar figure. Your provider uses that information to calculate how much your impairment is worth and shares that with your employer, who determines your workers’ compensation benefits.

Since this process can get complicated, partner with an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer.

Call Monument Occupational Medicine today to schedule an impairment rating exam for workers’ compensation, or book your appointment online.