Workers' Comp Permanent Disability Ratings 2026 | PPD & PTD Guide

What Is a Permanent Disability (PD) Rating?

A permanent disability rating is a percentage (0–100%) that measures permanent loss of function after your injury stabilizes. It's the single most important number in your workers' comp case after Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI).

MMI — Maximum Medical Improvement — is the point where further treatment won't materially improve your condition. Your treating physician declares MMI, usually 6–24 months after the injury. Once at MMI, a doctor assigns your impairment rating using the AMA Guides (most states) or a state-specific schedule.

Who assigns the rating? In most states, your treating physician does. But insurance carriers often send you to an IME (Independent Medical Examination) for a second opinion — which, in carrier-selected cases, is usually lower. If your attorney gets involved, they can request a QME (California) or AME (Agreed Medical Evaluator) for a neutral rating.

PPD vs. PTD — What's the Difference?

| Factor | PPD — Permanent Partial Disability | PTD — Permanent Total Disability | | --- | --- | --- | | Can you still work? | Yes, with restrictions | No — completely unable to work | | Rating range | 1–99% | 100% | | Benefit form | Weekly payment for fixed weeks | Weekly payment for life (most states) | | Typical duration | 20–500 weeks | Lifetime | | Settlement | Lump sum common | Structured more common |

PTD cases are far less common but far more valuable. They typically involve catastrophic injuries: spinal cord damage, traumatic brain injury, multiple amputations, or severe combinations of injuries.

How Impairment Ratings Are Calculated (AMA Guides)

The AMA Guides 6th Edition is the standard in ~40 states. It uses a whole-person impairment (WPI) model:

1. Diagnosis-Based Impairment (DBI) — Your diagnosis (e.g., "lumbar disc herniation with radiculopathy") corresponds to a class (0–4), which has a base impairment percentage.
2. Adjustments — Grade modifiers for functional history, physical exam findings, and clinical studies refine the rating within the class.
3. Whole-Person Impairment — Scheduled body parts get converted to whole-person %. E.g., 20% knee impairment ≈ 8% WPI.

Example: Back fusion case, L4-L5, with residual radiculopathy → Class 2, default 7% WPI → grade modifiers push to 11% WPI → translated to state disability weeks.

Scheduled vs. Unscheduled Disabilities

Scheduled (body parts listed in statute)

For arms, legs, hands, feet, fingers, toes, eyes, and ears, each state's statute assigns a fixed number of weeks for total loss. Partial impairment is a fraction of that.

Example — New York SLU (Schedule of Losses):

• Total loss of hand: 244 weeks × weekly benefit
• 50% impairment of hand: 122 weeks × weekly benefit
• Full arm loss: 312 weeks

Unscheduled (body parts not on the schedule)

For the spine, neck, mental health, internal organs, and cumulative trauma, most states use a whole-person impairment percentage × a statutory conversion factor. These cases vary widely and benefit the most from attorney representation.

Permanent Disability Benefits by Body Part — 2026 Data

| Body Part | NY Scheduled Weeks | Typical Settlement Range | | --- | --- | --- | | Arm (total loss) | 312 wks | $100K–$300K | | Leg (total loss) | 288 wks | $90K–$280K | | Hand | 244 wks | $75K–$220K | | Foot | 205 wks | $65K–$185K | | Shoulder (50% SLU) | ~156 wks | $50K–$120K | | Knee (50% SLU) | ~144 wks | $45K–$100K | | Eye (total loss) | 160 wks | $55K–$150K | | Hearing (total, both ears) | 200 wks | $50K–$130K | | Thumb | 75 wks | $25K–$60K | | Index finger | 46 wks | $15K–$40K |

Ranges represent typical settlements nationwide — high end reflects California/New York, low end reflects lower-benefit states like Mississippi and Alabama.

How to Challenge Your Impairment Rating

1. Understand who chose your doctor. If the insurance carrier selected the doctor, assume the rating is on the low end.
2. Request all medical records and the formal impairment report. You are entitled to these under state law.
3. Request an IME/QME. This is your primary legal tool. A neutral or attorney-selected evaluator often produces a higher rating.
4. Hire an attorney. Data across multiple state workers' comp boards shows attorney-represented workers get ratings 30–50% higher than unrepresented ones.
5. Preserve the right to appeal. Don't sign anything accepting the rating without legal review.

State-by-State PPD Rates — Top 15 States

| State | Benefit Rate | Max Weekly | Notes | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | California | 66.7% | $1,650 | Modifiers for FEC + occupation | | New York | 66.7% | $1,145 | SLU for body-parts schedule | | Texas | 70% | $1,138 | Impairment Income Benefits | | Florida | 66.7% | $1,269 | PTD benefits for life | | Illinois | 66.7% | $1,897 | One of the highest PPD caps | | Pennsylvania | 66.7% | $1,273 | Scheduled + unscheduled | | New Jersey | 70% | $1,131 | Scheduled + percentage of 600 weeks | | Ohio | 66.7% | $1,158 | BWC-administered | | Michigan | 80% (after-tax) | $1,186 | After-tax formula | | Georgia | 66.7% | $800 | Lower benefit, 400-week cap | | Virginia | 66.7% | $1,320 | 500-week lifetime cap | | North Carolina | 66.7% | $1,302 | Industrial Commission | | Washington | Varies | $8,000/mo | Department L&I administered | | Wisconsin | 66.7% | $1,165 | Sliding scale for PPD | | Massachusetts | 60% | $1,796 | Highest max weekly |

Sources

• AMA Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment, 6th Edition
• NCCI Annual Report 2026
• State workers' compensation board statistical bulletins
• National Academy of Social Insurance, "Workers' Compensation: Benefits, Costs, and Coverage"