Impairment Ratings, how do they work?

By Fred J. Lewis

In many Idaho workers’ compensation cases the injured party doesn’t fully recover. They often have permanent injuries which corresponded to an impairment rating. These ratings are given by a physician. Insurance companies pay these benefits monthly until paid in full, but in some instances can be paid in a lump sum. These benefits are calculated by calculating 55% of the average state weekly wage for the year in which you are injured times the percent of your impairment times 500 weeks.　 Let’s say for example you are awarded a 10% whole person impairment rating for a 2014 injury. For this impairment rating you should receive 55% of the average weekly wage for 2014 or $376.20 per week for 50 weeks.(10% times 500 weeks) This would calculate to a total of $18,810.00.