- February 8, 2025
- Attorney David Mann
- Workers' Compensation
Workers’ compensation serves as a crucial safety net for employees injured on the job, providing financial support and necessary care. In Georgia, like many other states, the Permanent Partial Disability (PPD) rating process plays a pivotal role in determining the compensation owed to an injured worker. This process involves several key steps, from required medical care to the final calculation of payments. In this blog post, we will answer the question, What is the Permanent Partial Disability (PPD) Rating Process in Georgia Workers’ Compensation Cases?
Required Medical Care
The journey toward a PPD rating typically begins with the injured worker’s seeking medical attention for their work-related injury. In Georgia, employers are required to provide injured employees with access to medical treatment through authorized healthcare providers. These providers play a crucial role in diagnosing the injury, providing necessary treatment, and documenting the medical records accurately.
Under Georgia’s workers’ compensation laws, injured workers have the right to choose a physician from a list of authorized healthcare providers provided by their employer. It’s essential for injured workers to follow the prescribed treatment plan and attend all medical appointments to ensure proper documentation of their injuries and the progress of their recovery.
Doctor Determines When MMI is Reached
Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI) is a critical milestone in the workers’ compensation process. It signifies that the injured worker’s condition has stabilized to the point where further significant improvement is unlikely, though some residual functional impairment may remain. Determining MMI is the responsibility of the treating physician, who evaluates the worker’s medical condition, reviews diagnostic tests, and considers the efficacy of past treatments.
Once MMI is reached, the focus shifts from curative treatment to evaluating the extent of permanent impairment resulting from the injury. It’s important to note that the determination of MMI may vary depending on the nature and severity of the injury, as well as individual factors unique to each case.
Treating Doctor Assigns PPD Rating Using AMA Guidelines
After reaching MMI, the treating physician assesses the permanent impairment caused by the work-related injury. In Georgia, doctors rely on guidelines established by the American Medical Association (AMA) to evaluate and assign a PPD rating. These guidelines provide standardized criteria for assessing impairments across various body systems, ensuring consistency and fairness in the rating process.
The treating physician conducts a thorough examination of the injured worker, considering factors such as range of motion, strength, sensory deficits, and any other relevant clinical findings. Based on these assessments and in accordance with the AMA guidelines, the physician assigns a PPD rating expressed as a percentage, which represents the degree of impairment.
The PPD Formula Calculation and the Final Payment
Once the treating physician has determined the PPD rating, the next step is to calculate the corresponding compensation owed to the injured worker. In Georgia, the PPD benefits are calculated based on a formula outlined in the state’s workers’ compensation laws.
The formula takes into account factors such as the injured worker’s average weekly wage (AWW), the PPD rating assigned by the treating physician, and the applicable compensation rate. The compensation rate is typically a percentage of the injured worker’s AWW, subject to statutory limits.
Upon completing the calculation, the injured worker is entitled to receive PPD benefits corresponding to the calculated amount. These benefits are typically paid out in periodic installments, although lump-sum settlements may also be negotiated under certain circumstances.
In conclusion, the Permanent Partial Disability (PPD) rating process plays a crucial role in Georgia workers’ compensation cases, ensuring that injured workers receive appropriate compensation for permanent impairments resulting from work-related injuries. From the initial medical care to the final calculation of benefits, each step in the process is designed to provide fairness and support to injured workers as they navigate their recovery and return to work. Understanding these key aspects of the PPD rating process is essential for both injured workers and employers to ensure compliance with state laws and the equitable resolution of workers’ compensation claims. We hope that this blog post has helped you to answer the question, What is the Permanent Partial Disability (PPD) Rating Process in Georgia Workers’ Compensation Cases?
Speak to a Georgia PPP Workers’ Compensation Attorney Today
The David Mann law firm has been helping clients for over 50 years. We understand how insurance companies work, because David Mann worked as defense counsel at a large insurance company. At the David Mann law firm, we truly care about our clients and will work hard on your case to help you succeed. Give us a call today at (478) 742-3381.
Attorney David Mann
Before leading his own firm, Mann served for several years as in-house defense counsel for a large insurance company, which gives him unique insight into how insurance companies work. He uses this critical knowledge as an advantage for his clients. He is a tough negotiator and litigator, and he is exceptionally strategic in building cases on behalf of personal injury victims.[ Attorney Bio ]
