There is a range of different benefits you can get from workers’ compensation, and what you qualify for often depends on the extent of your injuries and your ability to return to work.
While you will continue to get medical benefits to pay for your related healthcare needs, receiving other benefits depends on your rating. Permanent disability benefits, according to the State of California Department of Industrial Relations, are for individuals who will always have limits on their abilities due to an injury.
Permanent disability status
The law dictates who receives this status based on information from your doctor and your work history. Typically, you will reach the point where your case is under assessment for permanent disability status when you are not getting any better and your abilities have not returned to their pre-injury state.
You will receive a permanent and stationary status on your account, and there will be an assumption that you have reached the maximum level of improvement through medical means. Your doctor will have to create a report about your injuries and health status.
The language used and the information your doctor provides in the report will affect your benefits. You should receive a copy and review it to ensure accuracy and completeness.
Your rating
Your benefits also depend on your rating, which is the percentage representing the limits on you due to your disability. Your rating is incredibly important because it determines how much you receive in benefits.
The rating you get depends on your condition, your age at the time of your injury, the percentage of your disability caused by the injury and the percentage caused by other factors, the date of your injury and your occupation. The report from your doctor will help determine your rating along with information workers’ compensation will collect.