Residents of Sioux Falls and other areas of South Dakota may want to learn more about the fact that the Workers’ Compensation has a system in place for rating permanent disabilities. The system there to assess the impact of the impairment by a doctor.
Reported as a percentage, it is a marker to see your ability to perform daily activities. Excluded is work from this consideration.
The important difference between an impairment and a disability
According to one source, impairments are permanent in the workers’ compensation process. They are not likely to improve, having reached their maximum improvement levels. They will not change within the next year.
On the other hand, a disability reduces the wage-earning capacity for an individual. It is a result of an injury or occupational disease that occurs outside or inside the workplace.
Physicians do the disability rating
After medical treatments, the physician assesses that the employee has reached maximum medical improvement. Using the AMA’s Guide to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment, they will assign an appropriate rating.
However, there are eight states that have their own rating system. They are the following:
- Florida
- Illinois
- Minnesota
- New York
- North Carolina
- Oregon
- Utah
- Wisconsin
Each of these states has its own specific rating system.
Who can do these ratings?
Each state determines what type of doctor may do the rating. Some states may have specialists who can only do the ratings, while in other states, any doctor may do them.
What are the four types of disabilities?
These disabilities have four types of ratings. They are the following:
- Temporary total disability
- Temporary partial disability
- Permanent partial disability
- Permanent total disability
Temporary total disabilities do not usually qualify for workers’ compensation payments. The recovered worker will be returning to work.
Temporary partial disabilities may qualify the employee to receive compensation if he cannot return to full duty. It may require him to work part-time or at a job that is less demanding.
If you or a loved one need help with a workers’ compensation claim, it may be wise to contact an attorney who has experience and knowledge of this field. They may help you get the compensation that you deserve.