Understanding Permanent Disability Ratings After a Work Injury

When you’re recovering from a serious work injury, one of the most important steps in the workers’ compensation process is receiving a permanent disability rating. That number determines the benefits you’ll receive for the rest of your claim. Many people find themselves confused when a doctor assigns a percentage that feels disconnected from their actual limitations. We see this often, and as a workers compensation attorney in Miami, FL, we make it our responsibility to help clients understand how ratings are calculated and what can be done if they are too low.

Impairment vs. Disability

The terms may sound similar, but they mean different things. An impairment is a medical condition identified by a doctor, such as loss of mobility in your arm or chronic back pain. Disability, on the other hand, measures how that impairment affects your ability to work and earn wages. For example, someone with reduced grip strength may still perform some jobs, but not others that require heavy lifting. A work injury attorney often has to clarify this difference because your benefits are tied to how your condition limits your capacity to earn a living, not only the diagnosis on paper.

How Disability Ratings Are Calculated

Doctors use guidelines from the American Medical Association combined with state formulas to assign a percentage value to your permanent limitations. The percentage reflects how much of your earning ability is considered lost. A rating of 10 percent, for example, will result in fewer benefits than a rating of 50 percent. The process involves medical examinations, reports, and sometimes input from vocational experts. A workplace injury attorney helps make sure the right evidence is included so your rating truly reflects the impact on your life.

Challenging an Unfair Rating

It is common for ratings to be lower than they should be. Insurance companies may push for conservative numbers because lower ratings mean smaller payouts. As a work accident attorney, we step in to challenge ratings that don’t line up with the real limitations our clients face. This can involve requesting a second medical evaluation, presenting additional medical records, or calling in testimony from specialists. We have seen too many cases where someone is left with a rating that minimizes the daily pain and restrictions they live with. 

A work related injury attorney can guide you through the appeal process to secure fair treatment.

Why Legal Support Makes a Difference

Having the right advocate matters. A workplace accident injury attorney has the knowledge to read through rating sheets, spot errors, and argue for adjustments that increase benefits. Many workers are unaware they can fight back against unfair determinations. With a workers compensation lawyer by your side, you are not navigating a complicated system alone. We take the time to translate medical and legal terms into plain language so you fully understand your rights.

Standing Up for Injured Workers

Every case is different, but what stays constant is the need for someone who listens and responds quickly. As a work injury lawyer, we know how life-changing these ratings can be. A workplace injury lawyer makes it clear that you deserve benefits based on your real-world challenges, not a number that underestimates them. Whether you’re meeting with a work accident lawyer or speaking to a work related injury lawyer, the goal is always to secure fair compensation for lasting injuries. A workplace accident injury lawyer can make that difference.

Connect with OneCallLegal.com Today

At OneCallLegal.com, we don’t leave you waiting. We answer the phone 24/7 because your questions matter, and we take the time to cater to every client with the personal attention they deserve. If you’re facing an unfair disability rating, contact us today and let us help protect the benefits you’ve earned.