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What is and what does an impairment rating mean here in Iowa in the workers' compensation
system? An impairment rating is simply a number from a book. This is the AMA Guides 5th Edition.
This is the book that is used here in Iowa to determine what your impairment rating is.
The most important thing to know about an impairment rating is that often times its
only a small portion of what you are owed in your workers' compensation case. What do
I mean by this? Well if you have what we call an industrial disability injury or your qualify
for the Iowa Second Injury Fund Act then the injury is only one of many factors. So for
example lets say that you have sustained a back injury, and the doctor says that you
have a 10 percent permanent impairment rating but your employer can't take you back with
your restrictions that you can only lift 10 pounds. In that particular case, 10 percent
impairment rating is probably a small factor in what you should ultimately get. You could
get depending upon your age, education, all those kind of things, a 10 percent impairment
rating could be worth 20 percent, 30 percent, 40 percent, 50 percent or more in industrial
disability benefits. So the most important thing to keep in mind about an impairment
rating is it may not be all that you are owed in your case, and you should learn more. Just
like thousands of Iowans already have, by requesting our book that is available at no
cost, risk, or obligation. It's available right here on our webpage. You'll also find
a lot more information here on our webpage and in our videos, and articles that are here
as well. So explore our webpage, request our book there's no cost, risk or obligation,
and all you can do is learn additional information.