Low Permanent Partial Impairments (PPI’s)

Evaluating permanent partial impairment (PPI)

An injured worker may receive a settlement in a workers compensation claim if a doctor determines that they have a permanent partial impairment (PPI).  In some states, the term permanent partial disability is used, but in Indiana a partial disability that is the result of a work injury receives a permanent partial impairment rating from a doctor.  Typically,  settlements are owed if the worker has an injury that is diagnosed as permanent.  To evaluate the permanence of an injury, insurance companies often hire doctors who enjoy receiving insurance referrals.  Workers compensation carriers pay physicians well and, as a result, doctors enjoy doing workers compensation cases.

(Notes: A permanent partial impairment (or PPI) is not the same as a full disability that would warrant social security disability benefits. Also, if you are interested in learning about Indiana short-term disability laws, click here.)

Some doctors are known for assigning low permanent partial impairment ratings (PPI’s)

There are many excellent, credible, and honest workers compensation doctors. However, some popular workers compensation physicians assess disabilities and assign low PPI’s as a way to please the insurance company who refers cases to them, and continue to get more referrals.

Our firm knows which doctors tend to give very low PPI’s.  If you do not have experience with a workers compensation case and do not know these doctors, there is a good chance that you may be assigned a low PPI and, therefore, receive a lot less or no money from your partial disability.  One of the benefits of hiring an experienced workers compensation attorney is the attorney has experience with the tricks insurance companies tend to play.

Does permanent partial impairment affect a social security disability claim?

If you receive a settlement from a workers comp insurance company based upon a permanent partial impairment, you may wonder if you are still eligible for Social Security disability benefits. As a general rule of thumb, receiving PPI benefits does not impact one’s eligibility for Social Security disability benefits. Social Security provides disability benefits for those who aren’t able to work at any job (or cannot earn a minimum wage doing any job). You can be eligible for PPI benefits for a wide range of injuries and still be able to work some.

Hiring an experienced workers compensation attorney is essential

If you’ve been injured at work and are seeking compensation through a workers compensation claim, consult with an experienced workers compensation attorney at Klezmer Maudlin. We care about fighting for the rights of injured persons and workers throughout the state of Indiana.  With offices in Evansville, Indianapolis, Lafayette, New Harmony, and Jeffersonville (Louisville, KY), we are well-equipped to handle your case.