A recent caller wanted to know what his case was worth because his doctor had given him a 5-10% impairment rating concerning his shoulder injury. In many states doctors rate the case and that is how you know what it is worth.
Illinois specifically does NOT recognize doctor ratings to determine the value of an injury. We determine permanent partial disability based on a review of the medical records, the status of your job and comparing all of that to past cases decided at the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission.
In the case of the caller, he had a rotator cuff repair with permanent restrictions and a likely 2nd surgery. It’s too soon to say what the case is worth, but we can tell you that it’s going to be worth way more than 5-10% loss of the arm no matter what the doctor says in his impairment rating. Literally an impairment rating by a doctor has no impact on the case and it’s not supposed to be admitted as evidence.
We are workers’ compensation attorneys that help people with Illinois work injuries anywhere in IL via our statewide network of attorneys. Contact us and we will answer your questions or find the right lawyer for your situation.