After a work injury heals as much as it can, a doctor assigns a number that can shape the rest of your claim. That number is your impairment rating, and it controls the benefits you receive for any permanent damage. A fair assessment of impairment ratings matters greatly, and a Boca Raton attorney could help ensure the rating reflects your true condition.
Too often, a low rating leaves an injured worker with far less than the case is worth. A knowledgeable workers’ compensation lawyer could review how the rating was reached and challenge it when the evidence supports a higher figure. Our team at Werner, Hoffman, Greig & Garcia offers a free consultation to look at your situation and handle the case process.
An impairment rating is a percentage that measures the permanent loss a worker suffers after a job injury. A physician assigns the impairment rating once the Boca Raton worker reaches maximum medical improvement, the point at which the condition is not expected to get better. The rating reflects lasting damage to the body as a whole.
Under Florida Statutes § 440.15, a licensed physician must use the state’s uniform permanent impairment rating schedule to assess the extent of your lasting impairment. The rating should reflect objective medical findings and the documented effects of your work injury.
The rating sets the value of the permanent benefits a worker receives. A higher percentage means more weeks of payments, so even a few points can make a large difference. The state sets the number of benefit weeks depending on the size of the rating, and the payments are based on a portion of the worker’s average weekly wage. These benefits must be paid promptly once the insurer learns of the rating.
Because the rating carries so much weight, an insurer has every reason to favor a low number. A Boca Raton lawyer can compare the worker impairment rating against the medical records and the rating schedule to confirm its accuracy.
Not every rating is going to be correct. Several mistakes can leave a worker with a figure that is far too low:
A disputed rating can be challenged. An independent medical examination or a second opinion may support a higher percentage, and the medical evidence can be presented to correct the error. A Boca Raton impairment rating attorney could assess the evidence and build the case to push for the benefits the injury actually warrants.
A single percentage point can decide how long your benefits last and how much they are worth, so the accuracy of that number is worth fighting for. You do not have to accept the first rating a company doctor hands you. A careful assessment of impairment ratings can reveal whether a Boca Raton worker is owed more than you were told.
You deserve benefits that match the true extent of your injury. Reach out to Werner, Hoffman, Greig & Garcia today to schedule your free consultation, and let us make sure your rating reflects the full extent of your injury.
...In Just A Few Clicks.
