Disability; is it permanent?

Abstract

Too often cases of industrial injuries are submitted for permanent disability rating before maximum recovery is attained and the condition is permanent and stationary. This is frequently a situation that is detrimental to the injured working man, since his physical disability might be further reduced by additional treatment, and his future earning power and economic status thus be improved. Also it may be detrimental to the insurance carrier and/or employer, since in some instances it results in increased permanent disability award payments for portions of the condition which are not truly permanent. Inadequate medical reports also are a frequent cause of unfair awards. The necessary factors used to arrive at proper conclusions, the errors that have been observed and the importance of this problem are discussed.