When a workplace injury leaves you with lasting limitations, you may be entitled to permanent partial disability benefits (PPD) under Georgia workers’ compensation law.
These benefits provide financial support for the long-term effects of a workplace injury, even after your medical treatment ends. Understanding how PPD works can help you pursue the full compensation you are entitled to.
If you have questions about your PPD claim or believe you’re not receiving fair workers’ compensation benefits, contact Underwood Law LLC today for a free consultation.
What Is Permanent Partial Disability (PPD)?
Permanent partial disability refers to a lasting impairment that affects your ability to use a body part but doesn’t completely prevent you from working.
Under Georgia law (O.C.G.A. § 34-9-263), PPD benefits are payable if you have suffered permanent harm to a specific body part or lost some ability to use that part.
Workers’ compensation does not allow you to recover money for pain and suffering.
However, permanent partial disability payments compensate you for the lasting harm done to your body. The amount you receive depends on which body part was injured and the severity of your impairment, as determined under a state PPD schedule and medical evaluation.
How PPD Ratings Are Classified: Scheduled vs. Unscheduled Injuries
Georgia divides PPD injuries into two main categories:
Scheduled injuries
These involve specific body parts listed in Georgia’s workers’ compensation statute, such as fingers, hands, arms, legs, feet, eyes, and ears. Each body part has a set maximum number of weeks assigned to it.
Unscheduled injuries
These affect the body as a whole and typically include injuries to the back, neck, head, and spine. Compensation for unscheduled injuries is based on a permanent impairment rating determined by a medical evaluation. Maximum benefits can be up to 300 weeks, depending on the severity of the impairment.
When Do You Qualify for a PPD Rating in Georgia?
You become eligible for a PPD rating once you reach maximum medical improvement (MMI).
MMI means your condition has stabilized to the point where no further medical treatment is likely to improve your injury. At this point, your doctor will evaluate any permanent limitations you may have.
It’s important to know that reaching MMI does not automatically suspend temporary disability benefits. If you’re already receiving temporary disability payments, you may continue to receive them until you are no longer eligible.
How Doctors Assign PPD Impairment Ratings
Your authorized treating physician determines your PPD rating using the American Medical Association’s Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment, 5th edition. This guide provides standardized methods for measuring the loss of function in an injured body part.
During your medical evaluation, the healthcare provider will assign a percentage rating to your injury.
For example, if you hurt your hand and the doctor determines you’ve lost 20 percent of its function, you would receive a 20 percent PPD rating for that body part.
Because these ratings directly affect the amount of your workers’ compensation payments, disputes may arise when injured employees and insurance companies disagree over the assigned percentage of permanent impairment.
Having an experienced workers’ compensation attorney review your PPD rating can help advocate for realistic and fair compensation.
How Does Georgia Calculate PPD Benefits?
Georgia uses a specific formula to calculate PPD benefits. The calculation involves three factors: your average weekly wage (AWW), the number of weeks assigned to the injured body part, and your impairment rating percentage.
First, the state determines your compensation rate, which equals two-thirds of your AWW.
Then, your doctor’s impairment rating is applied to the total number of weeks possible for the injured body part under Georgia law. The result is multiplied by your compensation rate to determine your total PPD benefits.
For example, the back and neck carry the highest statutory maximum at 300 weeks. If you suffered a back injury and your doctor determined that you suffered a 10 percent permanent impairment, you could receive 30 weeks of PPD benefits at two-thirds of your AWW.
The amount of benefits you receive will depend on your impairment rating and the maximum allowed for your specific injury.
Key takeaway: PPD Benefits = (average weekly wage × 2/3) × (impairment rating % × statutory weeks for injured body part)
Filing a PPD Claim With the State Board of Workers’ Compensation in Georgia
Once you reach MMI and receive your PPD rating, your employer’s insurance company should begin paying your PPD benefits within 21 days after your temporary benefits end.
If the insurer fails to start payments on time, you have the right to file a permanent partial disability claim with the Georgia State Board of Workers’ Compensation ( SBWC).
A skilled permanent partial disability attorney can help you file the necessary paperwork and meet important deadlines. Filing too late could prevent you from recovering the benefits you’re owed under Georgia law.
PPD Disputes, Low Ratings, and the Appeals Process in Georgia
Insurance companies sometimes dispute PPD ratings or assign lower ratings than injured workers believe is appropriate.
If you think your rating doesn’t accurately reflect your impairment, you still have legal options.
You may request an independent medical examination (IME) or ask for a formal hearing before the SBWC. At the hearing, an administrative law judge will review the evidence and make a decision about your benefits.
Although not required, having a seasoned workers’ compensation lawyer help you prepare and represent you during your hearing is advisable. Hearings are formal proceedings with procedural rules that must be followed, and an experienced attorney can help present your case effectively throughout the claims process.
Should You Take a Lump-Sum PPD Settlement in Georgia?
Georgia allows injured workers to receive PPD benefits either as weekly payments or as a one-time lump sum. Each option has its advantages, depending on your specific situation.
Weekly payments provide a steady income over time, which can help with ongoing expenses.
A lump sum gives you immediate access to money, which may be helpful if you have large bills or want to invest in your future. An attorney can help you weigh your options and decide what makes the most sense for your circumstances.
Georgia PPD FAQs
Some of the most common questions our lawyers receive about PPD include the following:
What body parts have the highest PPD value?
The back and neck carry the highest value at 300 weeks. However, that doesn’t mean you automatically receive 300 weeks of benefits if you hurt those parts. Your PPD rating is used to calculate the number of weeks of benefits you are entitled to.
Can I receive PPD benefits if I return to work?
Yes. PPD benefits compensate you for permanent bodily harm, regardless of whether you go back to your job.
How long do I have to file a PPD claim?
You must notify your employer of an injury within 30 days, and you must file your claim with the Georgia State Board of Workers’ Compensation within one year. Longer filing periods may apply for PPD claims if your injury and permanent impairment were discovered after the 30-day deadline. A lawyer can help you determine your next steps.
Get Help With Your Georgia PPD Claim
At Underwood Law LLC, we understand how frustrating it can be to deal with insurance companies after a workplace accident. Our legal team will advocate fiercely for the PPD benefits you deserve under Georgia law.
With decades of legal experience, our hometown lawyers are committed to providing high-quality legal services while putting your needs first. But don’t just take our word for it.
Here’s what past client R.S. had to say about working with our law firm:
“Sometimes it is difficult to find an attorney who has the highest ethics and who will work extremely hard for clients, however Mr. Underwood is indeed that attorney. If you need legal services, please consider Underwood Law LLC. You will never be disappointed.”
Let our Georgia workers’ compensation lawyers help you pursue the PPD benefits you need to heal and move forward. Contact us today for a free consultation.
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