Updated July 2, 2026
Turn your rating into dollars
Once you have a rating, run it through the settlement calculator for an estimate.
How ratings are scored and disputed differs by state, so read this as background rather than legal advice. Consult a licensed workers compensation attorney for guidance on your specific claim.
What is an impairment rating in workers comp?
An impairment rating is a percentage, assigned by a physician after you reach maximum medical improvement (MMI), estimating how much permanent function a work injury cost you. It is the single number that drives a permanent partial disability (PPD) settlement: multiply it by the injury schedule's maximum weeks for your body part, then by your weekly benefit rate, and you have the core of the award.
Who assigns the rating, and how
Your treating physician typically assigns the rating once your condition has stabilized and further treatment is not expected to improve it. Many states require the exam to follow the American Medical Association's Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment, which scores loss of function by body system rather than by feeling. If the insurer disagrees with your doctor's number, it can request its own examination, sometimes called an independent medical examination (IME) or a defense medical exam, and the two ratings will not always match.
Why disputes are common
Each percentage point in the rating has a real dollar value once it is run through the scheduled-weeks formula, so a five-point gap between your doctor's rating and the insurer's IME can be worth thousands of dollars. Most states let you request a second opinion, and many allow a hearing before a workers compensation judge or board if the ratings cannot be reconciled. Keep your medical records organized. The rating is usually decided on paper, not on how the injury feels day to day.
From rating to dollars: the calculation
Most states use some version of: scheduled maximum weeks for the body part × impairment rating percentage = weeks awarded. Weeks awarded × weekly benefit rate = the PPD amount. For example, a knee injury scheduled at 200 weeks with a 15% rating yields 30 weeks awarded. At an $800 weekly rate, that is $24,000 before medical costs or fees. See how workers comp benefits are calculated for the full formula, or run your own numbers on the Disability Rating Payout Calculator.
What to do if you disagree with your rating
Ask your physician to explain which AMA Guides section produced the number, and whether every affected body system was scored. If the gap between your rating and the insurer's is large, a workers compensation attorney can request an independent evaluation or file for a hearing. Many attorneys in this area work on contingency, so a consultation to check your rating costs nothing upfront in most states.
Turn your rating into dollars
Once you have a rating, run it through the settlement calculator for an estimate.