Impairment analysis is an impairment-rating analysis based on a medical record review.
Impairment ratings are typically based on the AMA Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment (Guides). They are an important component of most workers’ compensation systems, and also are used in many Federal Employees Liability, Longshore and Harbor Worker, automobile casualty and personal injury cases.
Impairment ratings should be correct and unbiased; unfortunately, most are not. We assist you by providing accurate ratings.
“Impairment ratings should be correct and unbiased; unfortunately, most are not. …We can provide an impairment rating analysis that you can give to the treating physician…”
See related: “Work Ability“
If there is adequate medical information, we can provide permanent-impairment assessment on the basis of a medical file review. You will receive our impartial expert assessment of maximal medical improvement (MMI) and the permanent impairment rating. It is essential that ratings be based on accurate data for findings causally related to the injury. This process includes clinical analysis and appropriate application of the processes and criteria specified in the appropriate edition of the Guides. Our analyses are consistent with jurisdictional and system requirements.
We provide you with an emailed summary and/or a detailed written report. If there is not adequate data, we can advise you on how to obtain it by requesting specific information from the treating physician or via an independent medical evaluation. We are also experienced in translating impairment ratings into California Permanent Disability Ratings (PDRS) and in assessing Global Assessment of Functioning.
We can provide an impairment rating analysis that you can give to the treating physician for agreement. That is more effective for you than having a physician unfamiliar with the AMA Guides providing an erroneous rating and then attempting to correct it later.
Our work product reflects excellence and is designed to provide you with valuable resources that will assist you in managing the case, and includes:
- Chronological summary.
- Timeline (graphic).
- Clinical summary.
- Clinical analysis and discussion, including the issues you request.
- Impairment analysis with detailed explanation of rating process.
- Documents you provided optical digit character (OCR) recognized with index.
- References.
We are skilled in performing ratings that comply with any edition of the Guides, including the most recent Sixth Edition.1
1. Dr. Brigham served as the Senior Contributing Editor for the Sixth Edition, with responsibility for the musculoskeletal chapters, and is Editor of the AMA Guides Newsletter.
Referrals are made online. Our process is secure and efficient.
