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When it comes to working in an unsafe environment, there is always a risk of getting injured, which might become very serious. These injuries are also classifiable as having a particular severity or impact on a worker's ability to continue working in the same capacity, with the same degree of risk if they cannot recover from it.
Furthermore, these impairments are usually assessed by 'rating' them on a scale of 1-10, where 10 is the most severe. A 10% impairment rating impacts more than 90% of a worker’s ability to work and do activities they would normally do daily. That is why employers take these precautions when hiring new employees.
What Is a 10% Impairment Rating?
The 10% impairment rating is the most severe impairment rating a worker can get. This impairment rating goes to an injury that significantly impacts the person's ability to continue working in the same capacity after it has started healing. It means that an employee cannot work for 90 days or more due to the severity of the injury.
Typically, the impact of this impairment rating will vary from person to person based on the level of harm and the particular area of the body it has affected.
If someone has a 10% impairment rating, they will most likely not be able to work for a long time and might need to be transferred to a different job position with fewer working hours or another type of work they can do while recovering. Aside from the 10% impairment rating, you may also be interested in learning about the 30% impairment rating.
Why Does an Employer Need an Assessment for a 10% Impairment Rating?
A 10% impairment rating is a very severe injury. However, not all employers will be willing to hire an employee with a 10% impairment rating, so they will first need to assess how much impact this severe injury has on the person's ability to work.
If there is some impact on the employee's ability to do their job, then the employer will need to take extra precautions to reduce the risk of injury. These safeguards will help the employee recover faster and reduce the chances of their injury becoming a permanent disability.
How Can an Employee Reach a 10% Impairment Rating?
While working in an environment with many hazards, someone might get injured. If these injuries do occur at work, it is important to know the chances of winning a workers comp case. Types of damages that can cause a 10% impairment rating are:
Cuts
Cuts can be very dangerous and cause a person to get a 10% impairment rating if they don't get good treatment.
Burns
Burns can be very painful and cause permanent scars if they don't get proper treatment from a doctor. If the burn is severe, it can also cause a person to get a 10% impairment rating.
Sprains and Strain
A sprain is a type of injury that affects a ligament, while a strain is an injury that affects a muscle. These injuries are prevalent and can cause a 10% impairment rating.
Muscle Tears
Muscle tears are severe injuries that can cause a person to get a 10% impairment rating if the worker doesn't get proper and on-time treatment.
Dislocations
A dislocation is a wound on joint injuries due to being out of place. It can cause a 10% impairment rating if treated poorly.
Limb Loss and Wheelchair Assessment
If a worker gets a 10% impairment rating due to a limb loss, the employer will need to ensure that they get a wheelchair assessment. They might need it because the worker will no longer be able to walk around the office or stand for long hours due to having a permanent disability.
The employer will need to make sure that their employee gets a wheelchair that is suitable for them and their job. Furthermore, the employer will also need to ensure that the worker has ramps at the office and other places where they need to go. If the employer is not being compliant with certain situations, you should contact a work injury attorney in Columbus to help make sure you are being treated fairly.
If it's to the worker's liking, an employer can also offer them a place to park their wheelchair inside the office, so they can go quickly from one place to another.
Conclusion
This article has discussed the 10% impairment rating, what a worker needs to assess it, how to reach the 10% rating, and how the employer can help the employee. Like any other legal case, winning an impairment case demands reliable and experienced workers from Larrimer & Larrimer to help workers. People can give them a call at (614) 820-1855.