Some injuries leave a permanent mark, not just physically, but financially and emotionally. If you have been injured on the job in Charlotte or anywhere in North Carolina and are now facing long-term limitations, understanding your rights under the workers’ compensation system is critical. One of the system’s most misunderstood components is the permanent partial disability (PPD) rating.
This rating plays a major role in determining your compensation. But what exactly are the ratings for permanent partial disability in North Carolina? How are they calculated? And how do you make sure your rating fairly reflects the impact your injury has had on your life?
At Mehta & McConnell, PLLC, we are here to guide you through these questions. Our Charlotte-based attorneys are board-certified in workers’ compensation law and have decades of experience helping injured workers across North Carolina recover the benefits they’re entitled to under the law.
What Is Permanent Partial Disability in North Carolina?
Permanent partial disability (PPD) is a classification under the North Carolina workers’ compensation system that applies when a worker sustains a permanent impairment but can still work in some capacity.
Unlike total disability, which applies when you cannot work at all, a PPD rating acknowledges that you’ve suffered a lasting injury but may retain some ability to earn a living. This can include loss of range of motion, decreased strength, or diminished function in a specific body part.
Common examples of PPD-eligible injuries include:
- Loss of use of a limb;
- Impaired vision or hearing;
- Loss of range of motion in the spine;
- Chronic pain conditions following surgery; and
- Partial amputation or severe nerve damage.
These conditions typically involve lasting limitations that interfere with your daily function or job duties. Other injuries may also be PPD-eligible. Even if you do not see your injury listed above, that does not mean you are not eligible for benefits.
Permanent Partial Disability North Carolina Rating Determinations
PPD ratings in NC are based on medical evaluations and guided by the North Carolina Industrial Commission’s statutory schedule of injuries. These assessments must adhere to North Carolina law and follow the Commission’s impairment rating guidelines to ensure fairness and consistency.
The process typically includes:
- An evaluation by your authorized treating physician;
- A percentage-based rating that reflects the level of permanent impairment;
- Reference to the statutory guidelines for specific body parts (e.g., 15% loss of use of a hand); and
- Consideration of objective medical findings, such as range-of-motion tests or diagnostic imaging.
If you disagree with your initial rating, North Carolina law allows for a second opinion from a physician of your choice, paid for by the workers’ compensation insurance company.
Why PPD Ratings Matter to Your Financial Recovery
Your permanent partial disability rating directly impacts the compensation you may receive. North Carolina’s workers’ compensation system uses a formula that multiplies your impairment rating by a portion of your average weekly wage and a specific number of weeks designated for the injured body part.
For example, if your doctor assigns a 10% PPD rating to your arm and the statutory maximum for arm injuries is 240 weeks, you would be eligible for compensation equal to 10% of 240 weeks (24 weeks) at a designated portion of your weekly rate (e.g., two-thirds of your average rate).
It’s important to understand that this is one of several benefit options. Depending on your case, you may also qualify for:
- Ongoing wage replacement if you cannot return to your prior job;
- Vocational rehabilitation assistance; and
- A lump-sum settlement that accounts for future needs.
Determining your rating matters and will affect your compensation. Contact our attorneys for experienced guidance.
Common Disputes Over Workers’ Comp Impairment Ratings
Even though PPD ratings are medically based, disagreements are not uncommon. You may be entitled to challenge the rating or seek a more favorable outcome if:
- The doctor failed to consider the full extent of your injury;
- Your symptoms have worsened since the original evaluation;
- Your injury has affected multiple body parts, complicating the rating; or
- The assigned rating does not align with medical evidence or imaging.
In these cases, it’s critical to speak with an experienced North Carolina workers’ compensation attorney who can help you request an independent medical exam (IME), gather supplemental evidence, and protect your rights.
Your Right to Appeal a PPD Rating
If you believe your PPD rating is too low, the North Carolina Workers’ Compensation Act gives you the right to request a second opinion.
Here’s how the process works:
- You submit a request for a second opinion evaluation;
- The insurance carrier must pay for the evaluation by your selected doctor;
- If the second doctor assigns a different rating, your attorney can help negotiate or litigate the dispute; and
- The Industrial Commission may review both opinions and decide which one to adopt.
Taking this route can help prevent you from being locked into a rating that underestimates your limitations.
However, timing matters. Do not delay if you believe your rating is inaccurate, as failing to act quickly may result in the closure of your claim.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is a Permanent Partial Disability Rating in NC?
A permanent partial disability rating in North Carolina reflects the percentage of functional loss or impairment to a specific body part. It’s used to calculate financial compensation under the state’s workers’ comp system. This rating is determined after you reach maximum medical improvement and plays a critical role in how your benefits are awarded.
How are PPD Ratings Determined in North Carolina?
PPD ratings are determined by a treating physician based on medical evaluations, testing, and guidelines provided by the North Carolina Industrial Commission. The physician considers measurable factors like range of motion and strength before assigning a percentage. Having experienced legal counsel can help ensure this process is conducted fairly and in your best interest.
Can I Appeal My PPD Rating in NC Workers’ Comp?
Yes. Injured workers have the right to request a second opinion and challenge their assigned rating through the North Carolina Industrial Commission if necessary. This appeal may help secure more appropriate benefits if the original rating does not reflect your condition. An experienced attorney can guide you through each step of the appeal process.
How Mehta & McConnell Can Help
At Mehta & McConnell, we don’t believe injured workers should be left to decode legal and medical jargon alone. We:
- Help clients understand the rating system and their benefit options;
- Evaluate whether their assigned rating fairly reflects their condition;
- Coordinate second opinions or independent exams; and
- Fight for maximum NC disability benefits through negotiation or litigation.
Our firm is based in Charlotte, North Carolina, and we are proud to serve clients across the state with integrity, clarity, and compassion. We’ve spent years working for insurance companies. Now, we use that insight to advocate for you.
North Carolina Workers’ Comp Attorneys
You’ve worked hard your entire life; don’t let an inaccurate disability rating shortchange the benefits you’ve earned. When you’re facing permanent limitations due to a workplace injury, every decision matters. Especially when it comes to your disability rating, it’s vital to take a proactive, informed approach. Don’t leave your financial future up to chance or rely solely on the insurance company’s opinion.
Our team has over 30 years of combined legal experience in North Carolina, and we’re ready to help you. Contact Mehta & McConnell, PLLC, today to schedule your free consultation.
Resources:
N.C. Gen. Stat. § 97-31, link.
N.C. Gen. Stat. § 97-27, link.
Mehta & McConnell Injury Lawyers
Mehta & McConnell, PLLC was founded in 2021 to represent individuals who are injured at work or due to the negligence of someone else. Both of our attorneys began their careers as defense attorneys representing large corporations and insurance companies, but we now only represent injured individuals.
Rate this Post
Loading...