Extremity Ratings for Permanent Partial Disability Claims

After a job-related injury, the injured worker will be compensated for his medical expenses until the point at which the treating physician determines that the injured worker has reached is maximum medical improvement (meaning that additional medical treatments will not result in any more physical improvement). At this point, physicians will then assess the worker’s condition to determine whether he has a permanent total disability or a permanent partial disability.

In the case of a permanent partial disability (i.e., there is a loss of function in a specific body parts or in a discreet number of body parts), the doctor will then use a specific formula to calculate the worker’s extremity rating, which is also referred to as scheduled rating. This rating, which includes factors such as the worker’s age, his wages or salary prior to his injury and extremity ratings based on Illinois workers compensation laws, will determine the amount of benefits the worker will receive for his injuries, as well as the length of time that he will be eligible to continue receiving these benefits.

Illinois Extremity Ratings

The following is a brief outline of Illinois extremity ratings, which includes the length of time that benefits will be paid for complete loss of function to specific body parts.

• Digits: While loss of thumb function is granted the longest period of payments of 70 weeks, loss of the function of the pinky (or fourth) finger is granted the shortest period of payments of 20 weeks.
• Toes: While loss of the function of the big toe can result in 35 weeks of paid benefits, loss of the function of any other toe typically results in benefit payments for 12 weeks.
• Hands and feet: While loss of hand function can result in 190 weeks of paid benefits, the loss of foot function can result in 155 weeks of paid benefits.
• Arms and legs: While the loss of arm function can result in 235 weeks of paid benefits, the loss of leg function can result in 200 weeks of paid benefits.

The coverage for the loss of sight and/or hearing will depend on the cause of the incident, as well as whether the faculty is lost in one or both eyes and/or ears. For bone fractures, the extent of paid benefits will primarily depend on the specific bone of the body that is broken in a work injury.

At the law firm of Hassakis & Hassakis, P.C., our experienced Mount Vernon workers compensation lawyers have been providing client-centered representation to our Southern Illinois clients since 1950. Our trusted attorneys focus on our clients’ needs, and we do everything we can to help them get the maximum possible compensation for their workplace injuries so they can focus on recovery and moving on with their life. If you or a loved one has sustained any type of injury while working, contact us by calling (800)-553-3125 for a free, thorough assessment of your case, along with professional advice regarding the best manner in which to move forward.