How Does an Impairment Rating Chart Work?

Work injuries can vary in severity. Some injuries may only require an ice pack while others may leave permanent impairments.

For temporary disabilities, the workers’ comp amount usually depends on the severity of the injury and the recovery time. But for permanent impairments, the state uses a rating system to determine the workers comp amount.

This system is often expressed in a table commonly referred to as the impairment rating chart.

What is an Impairment Rating Chart?

In workers compensation, an impairment rating chart is a rating system that grades an impairment based on its severity. The rating is usually expressed in percentages. These percentages are then used to determine how much workers comp benefits you will receive.

As you know, permanent injuries can affect your working capacity in varying degrees. Some may prevent you from doing simple things like picking up small objects. While others can make a patient bedridden their whole life.

This variation is why workers comp systems use impairment rating charts. It assures that the benefits worker receives correspond to the impairment rating found in1996 Florida Impairment Guidelines.

How Will You Get a Permanent Impairment Rating?

Contrary to popular belief, you won’t be assigned an impairment rating at the onset of your injury. You’ll only get a permanent impairment rating when either of these happens:

• you reach maximum medical improvement (MMI).

While MMI is the point where your medical condition can’t get any better. It’s either you’re fully healed or the medical technology needed to cure your condition isn’t yet available.

At the onset of your injury, you can only claim temporary disability benefits. When your doctor deems that you’ve reached MMI, they will also determine if the injury left any lasting impairments. And if it did, they will assign you a permanent impairment rating (PIR). Note that only a licensed doctor with expertise in your specific medical condition is qualified to issue an impairment rating.

The PIR is usually determined based on the 1996 Florida Uniform Permanent Impairment Rating Schedule provides a framework for evaluating impairments based on current medical evidence and medical advances. 

In Florida, however, medical professionals have to follow the Florida Uniform Permanent Impairment Rating Guidelines. 

Permanent Impairment Rating Chart for Florida Workers Comp

Each state has different rating systems for permanent impairments. But in most cases, they are assigned based on the body part affected. That’s why, in some states, they are also referred to as “body part prices”.

In Florida, however, impairment ratings are assigned based on the severity of your injury. Less severe impairments like losing a toe usually garners a low rating. While serious disabilities like spinal fracture or major amputations can get a higher rating.

Here’s a permanent impairment rating chart according to Florida law:

Note, however, that these ratings are only applicable physical impairments. Psychological impairments resulting from a work accident has to be fully substantiated to qualify for a rating. Though these types of impairments can only receive a maximum of 1% PIR.