Impairment rating is a term used in Texas workers' compensation cases to describe the degree of physical or functional impairment that an employee has sustained due to a work-related injury or illness. In this article, we will discuss what impairment rating means in Texas workers' compensation and how it affects an employee's benefits.
What is Impairment Rating?
Impairment rating is a medical evaluation that measures the degree of permanent impairment that an employee has sustained due to a work-related injury or illness. The impairment rating is expressed as a percentage, with higher percentages indicating greater impairment.
The impairment rating is determined by a designated doctor or a qualified medical examiner, who evaluates the employee's medical records and conducts a physical examination. The doctor then assigns a percentage rating based on the extent of the employee's impairment and its impact on their ability to work.
How Does Impairment Rating Affect Benefits?
Impairment rating can have a significant impact on an employee's workers' compensation benefits. In Texas, if an employee's impairment rating is less than 15%, they are not eligible for any additional benefits.
If an employee's impairment rating is 15% or higher, they may be eligible for impairment income benefits, which are paid at a rate of 70% of the employee's average weekly wage, up to a maximum of $882 per week. Impairment income benefits are paid for a certain number of weeks, depending on the employee's impairment rating.
In addition, an employee with an impairment rating of 15% or higher may be eligible for vocational rehabilitation services to help them return to work or find new employment.
Impairment rating is a term used in Texas workers' compensation cases to describe the degree of physical or functional impairment that an employee has sustained due to a work-related injury or illness. The impairment rating is expressed as a percentage and is determined by a designated doctor or qualified medical examiner. The impairment rating can have a significant impact on an employee's workers' compensation benefits, including eligibility for impairment income benefits and vocational rehabilitation services. Ryan Pigg can assist employees who have been injured or become ill on the job and help them navigate the workers' compensation claims process, including the determination of their impairment rating.
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