Seeking Compensation for Long-Term Injury Consequences
Once you have recovered from a workplace injury and returned to work, you may find that the part of your body where you were injured is weaker or more sensitive than before. Even if this does not prevent you from doing your job, you may be entitled to compensation.
At the law firm of Grandy & Martin in Charlotte, we help clients pursue fair and appropriate permanent partial disability settlements. Contact us to discuss your case with an experienced North Carolina workers' compensation lawyer. You will pay nothing unless we help you get benefits.
Understanding the Disability Rating Process
Once your workers' compensation doctor has determined that you have reached maximum medical improvement (MMI) after a workplace injury, he or she may assign you a rating based on the amount of disability you have suffered in one or more of your body parts.
If you do not agree with the rating you are given by your employer's doctor, you have a right to a second opinion by a doctor of your own choosing, paid for by the workers' compensation insurance company.
Your disability rating, multiplied by a percentage of your average weekly wage (AWW), is the primary basis for the permanent partial disability (PPD) benefits you are entitled to receive. Permanent partial disability claims are usually resolved with lump sum settlements.
Pursuing the Maximum Settlement You Deserve
If you are able to return to work at your previous wage or salary, your settlement will probably be solely based on your disability rating. If you are going to need to take a lower-wage job, however, there should be some consideration for your long-term wage loss.
Our firm has been helping injured workers resolve permanent partial disability claims for more than 25 years. We are familiar with the standards that are used to calculate settlements in many different circumstances. Don't hesitate to contact us to discuss your case with an experienced attorney.
