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    Los Angeles Assessment of Impairment Ratings

    When you suffer an injury at work, medical care and wage replacement are the initial priorities. As your recovery progresses, the focus may shift to the long-term impact of your injury. One of the key measures in this process is the impairment rating, which evaluates how much a permanent injury affects a person’s ability to work. Understanding how the Los Angeles assessment of impairment ratings works is critical, since they directly influence the benefits you may receive. At Levin & Nalbandyan, a workers’ compensation attorney from our experienced team could help you evaluate how this rating will affect you.

    What Is an Impairment Rating?

    An impairment rating is a percentage that reflects the degree of permanent damage that a workplace injury or illness caused. The rating does not measure pain or temporary limitations but instead evaluates lasting physical or functional loss. In Los Angeles, the American Medical Association’s Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment evaluates the classification and then applies it within the workers’ compensation system of our state.

    How Are Impairment Ratings Determined?

    After you have reached maximum medical improvement, your treating physician or qualified medical evaluator (QME) will perform a detailed examination. Your Los Angeles physician will document any permanent limitations and apply standardized criteria to assign a percentage rating. This percentage then becomes the foundation for calculating permanent disability benefits.

    For example, if a back injury leaves a worker with limited mobility, the physician might assign an impairment rating of 20 percent. The higher the percentage, the greater the benefits you will be entitled to receive.

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    AT LEVIN & NALBANDYAN, LLP, WE HANDLE THE FOLLOWING KINDS OF WORKERS' COMPENSATION LAW CLAIMS

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    The Role of the Workers’ Compensation System

    In Los Angeles, the assessed ratings of your disability are not used in isolation. The Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board and insurance carriers apply the state’s Permanent Disability Rating Schedule to translate the medical rating into a benefit level. Factors such as your age, occupation, and the injury’s effects on your job performance all influence the final determination.

    Because of this process, two workers with the same medical impairment rating could receive different benefit amounts depending on their individual circumstances.

    Disputes Over Impairment Ratings

    It is not unusual for disputes to arise over impairment ratings. A Los Angeles insurance company may argue that the damage is less severe, while a worker may believe the appraisal status does not fully reflect their limitations. In these situations, a QME or an agreed medical evaluator may need to provide a second opinion. Hearings before the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board may also be necessary.

    These disputes can be stressful and complex. Having our attorney review your medical evidence, obtain additional opinions, and represent you in negotiations or hearings could make a meaningful difference to the outcome.

    Why Impairment Ratings Matter

    The Los Angeles assessment of your disability rating is more than a medical formality. It directly affects the amount and duration of permanent disability benefits you will receive. An inaccurate or unfair rating could cost you thousands of dollars in benefits. Therefore, one of the most important steps in your workers’ compensation case is ensuring that the rating process is handled correctly.

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    More on Workers' Compensation Law

    Workers’ compensation is a social insurance program that provides benefits to employees who suffer from a job-related injury. It is designed to ensure the employee receives prompt medical treatment and compensation for lost wages, regardless of who is at fault. The program was adopted in California and most other states during the early 20th century, and replaces the right of employees to sue employers over work-related injuries in exchange for benefits.
    If an employee incurs a work-related injury or illness and the employer does not have valid workers’ compensation insurance, workers’ compensation may not be available as a remedy. However, the employee can still file a civil action against their employer in addition to filing a workers’ compensation claim. Employees should reach out to their local DWC office to discuss their options further. The employee can also work with a workers’ compensation attorneto help them pursue compensation.
    The last thing you want to deal with after being hurt on the job is fighting with the insurance company just to get your wages paid or to see that your medical bills are taken care of. Has your workers’ comp claim been denied or delayed? Do you suspect some type of insurance bad faith? Our Los Angeles workers’ compensation attorneys are here to help. We can file an appeal on your behalf and continue pursuing the compensation you deserve.
    Workers’ compensation claims can be difficult to navigate, especially after you have been injured. Our Los Angeles workers’ compensation attorneys are here to guide you every step of the way and ensure you have the best chance of success.
    Many workers’ compensation claims are complicated. The best way to ensure that you obtain your full benefits after an on-the-job injury is by consulting with a Los Angeles workers’ compensation attorney. Without the help of an attorney, you may not receive the compensation you are entitled to for your medical care, disability payments, and more. An experienced attorney can help you understand your rights and responsibilities regarding your workers’ compensation claim. They can also assist you with an appeal if your claim is denied. Workers’ compensation claims require adherence to tight deadlines, failure to report an injury in a timely manner can result in your claim being rejected. It is generally in your best interest to consult with a Los Angeles workers’ compensation attorney as early in the process as possible.
    Individuals in California who are injured on the job or have a work-related illness may be entitled to several benefits through their company’s policy. Most employers in the state are required to either purchase a workers’ compensation policy from a licensed insurer or become self-insured. If you are injured at work, your employer’s workers’ compensation benefits may include payment for:
    • Medical care
    • Temporary disability benefits
    • Permanent disability benefits
    • Supplemental job displacement benefits
    • Death benefits
    It is important to discuss your case with a Los Angeles workers’ compensation attorney as soon as possible after your injury. An attorney can help you understand how to file a claim through your employer’s policy and ensure that you receive the maximum compensation available based on your case.
    An employer cannot fire you for filing a workers’ compensation claim. It is unlawful for an employer to retaliate against an employee who has been injured on the job and is seeking workers’ compensation benefits. In addition, an employer cannot deduct a portion of your paycheck in order to help offset the cost of workers’ compensation benefits. If you filed a workers’ compensation claim and were subsequently fired from your position, you might be entitled to file a wrongful termination lawsuit. There are strict state and federal laws that protect workers from wrongful dismissal. Our attorneys can help you file the appropriate claim against your employer if you were wrongfully terminated.
    Depending on the severity of the injury, you may be unable to return to your previous job duties. If you have long-term medical problems related to your on-the-job injury, you might be entitled to permanent disability benefits. Permanent disability benefits are designed to compensate those whose injury results in a reduced earning capacity. You might still be able to collect permanent disability benefits even if you are able to return to work. In order to qualify for permanent disability benefits, a doctor must first find that your condition is not likely to change or improve. The doctor may state that your injury has reached its maximum medical improvement or has become permanent and stationary.
    If you have a work-related injury, you need to act quickly to protect your right to compensation. First, report the injury to your employer. In some cases, your injury may be caused by repeated exposure as opposed to a single accident. It is critical to report the injury immediately upon discovery, even if it occurs over time. Second, you need to seek emergency medical treatment. Any delay in treatment may directly affect your ability to receive full workers’ compensation benefits. Seek and continue treatment. Do not miss doctor’s appointments and follow through with any referrals to specialists or other recommendations. Finally, contact a Los Angeles workers’ compensation attorney. An attorney can help you file a claim for benefits and ensure that you receive fair and full compensation for your losses.
    In the unimaginable event that you have lost a loved one due to a job-related injury or illness, you might be entitled to workers’ compensation death benefits. Generally, spouses, children, and other dependents are entitled to death benefits. A Los Angeles workers’ compensation attorney can help you understand your rights and whether you qualify for death benefits. We know that no amount of money could ever fully compensate you for the loss of your loved one, but these benefits may help to relieve unexpected costs such as burial expenses.
    By law, most employers in California are expected to have workers’ compensation coverage for their employees to compensate them if they are injured on the job. Your employer is required to pay a specific amount to you; however, if a third party was involved—such as a manufacturer or someone not employed by your employer—then you may be entitled to secondary compensation.
    In California, workers’ compensation covers all of your authorized injury-related expenses, including (but not limited to) medical costs, rehabilitation costs, therapy, and any job-related retraining you may need to get back to work. You may also be eligible for temporary total or temporary partial disability benefits if your injury has put you out of commission for a time. Should your injury pose permanent limitations on your ability to do your job or eliminate your ability to work at all, you may be able to receive permanent disability benefits.
    Talk to your employer about your injury or developed illness right away. Ideally, do this as soon as you are injured or become aware of your illness so that your employer has the option to send you to a physician in their medical provider network. Seek medical attention and keep record of any diagnoses, x-rays, doctor’s notes, prescribed treatments, etc. If your injury requires you to receive immediate medical attention, do so before talking to your employer, but do not wait more than 30 days to report your injury. Make your workers’ comp claim official by filing an Application for Adjudication of Claim no more than 1 year after your injury. This is one of several forms you will need to file in order to recover costs associated with your injury or illness.
    Every employer in the state of California is required to hold a workers’ compensation insurance policy with a licensed insurer and provide related benefits to their employees when the need arises. Even small companies with only a few employees must provide workers’ compensation for their employees and have sufficient insurance.
    If your employer is not properly insured and cannot cover your injury-related costs, the state of California has what is known as the Uninsured Employer’s Benefit Trust Fund (UEBTF), which serves as a fallback and provides the funds for hurt workers.
    Levin & Nalbandyan is located in downtown Los Angeles. We can take all workers’ compensation cases based in California.

    Contact our Los Angeles Lawyer About Your Impairment Appraisal’s Results

    If you are facing a Los Angeles assessment of impairment ratings, you do not have to navigate the process alone. Our lawyers could help you understand the medical and legal standards, advocate for a fair rating, and pursue the benefits you deserve.

    Contact Levin & Nalbandyan today to schedule a consultation and learn how an attorney from our team could assist you with your workers’ compensation claim.

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    If your claim has been denied or your attorney has decided to give up, reach out to our firm for a second opinion.