In the city of San Luis Obispo, an employee may file for workers’ compensation and then be eligible for impairment benefits. This typically occurs after an employee has reached MMI or maximum medical improvement, and is still unable to return to their previous job or suffers permanent physical damage to their body.
Impairment benefits are calculated based on a formula. A person’s doctor will be asked to write a medical report about the impairment. That report will end with a number. The impairment number is then used to calculate the percentage of disability. The disability is then calculated as a percentage and equals a specific dollar amount. The calculated total may then be further adjusted depending on the date of the injury and the availability of modified work at your place of work (where you were injured).
Because there are a variety of factors that are considered when calculating impairment benefits, many injured workers choose to consult with and use the assistance of an attorney experienced in workers’ compensation law. When a person is unable to return to work due to an injury or sees a reduction in the amount of income they are able to earn, their lives may be negatively impacted. For this reason, it is important to ensure that the injured worker receives all of the benefits they are entitled to.
If you have been injured at work and reached MMI, consult an attorney if you have not done so already. An attorney can assist you in determining if what you are being offered is fair and equitable or if you may need to file a lawsuit in order to receive what you deserve.
