What is an impairment rating?

An impairment rating is a percentage of disability assigned to a worker in accordance with Tennessee state Workers Compensation Law. It is based on a medical evaluation which assesses the worker’s physical or mental impairment due to their work-related injury or illness. The evaluation is conducted by a medical professional, and the rating is assigned in accordance with the American Medical Association Guidelines. An impairment rating is then used to determine a worker’s eligibility for permanent compensation and the amount of compensation they may receive. If the worker has a permanent impairment, they will receive benefits for a set number of weeks, depending on the percentage of the impairment rating assigned to them. This amount of compensation cannot be greater than the amount of temporary disability benefits they would have received if they were able to return to work. For example, if the impairment rating is assigned at 20%, the worker may receive permanent disability benefits for 2/3 of the number of weeks of temporary disability benefits.

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What is an impairment rating?

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