- April 7, 2025
At Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Atlanta, we fight for injured workers across Georgia to ensure they receive the workers’ compensation benefits they deserve. Our team has years of experience handling Permanent Partial Disability (PPD) claims, disputing unfair disability ratings, and negotiating lump sum settlements. We understand how a work-related injury can impact your life, and we are here to help you every step of the way.
Suffering a work-related injury can leave a worker with lasting impairments that reduce their earning capacity. In Georgia, Permanent Partial Disability (PPD) benefits provide compensation for workers who can still perform some work but have a permanent impairment. Understanding how to calculate Permanent Partial Disability, what factors affect them, and whether a lump sum settlement is a better option can help injured workers make informed decisions.
In this blog, we explain how Permanent Partial Disability (PPD) benefits are calculated in Georgia, what factors affect them, and how an experienced Atlanta workers’ compensation lawyer can help injured workers secure the maximum compensation.
Understanding Permanent Partial Disability in Georgia
Permanent Partial Disability (PPD) benefits help injured workers who suffer lasting impairments from a work-related injury but can still perform some type of work. Georgia’s workers’ compensation laws outline how these benefits are calculated and paid.
What Is Permanent Partial Disability?
Permanent Partial Disability applies when a worker reaches Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI) and has a permanent impairment that affects their ability to work. Unlike Temporary Total Disability (TTD) or Temporary Partial Disability (TPD), PPD does not cover a complete inability to work. Instead, it compensates for lasting loss of function in an injured body part.
Who Qualifies for PPD Benefits?
An injured worker qualifies for Permanent Partial Disability benefits after a medical professional assigns an impairment rating. This rating reflects the percentage of function lost due to the work-related injury. The worker must have reached MMI, meaning no further medical improvement is expected.
How Georgia Classifies PPD
Georgia workers’ compensation law divides Permanent Partial Disability benefits into two categories:
- Scheduled PPD: Covers specific body parts like arms, legs, hands, or feet. The law assigns a set number of weeks for each injured body part.
- Whole-Body PPD: Applies when the injury affects the spine or multiple body systems, limiting overall worker’s ability to perform jobs.
The Role of Impairment Ratings
A medical professional assigns an impairment rating based on the percentage of function lost. Georgia’s workers’ compensation system follows the American Medical Association (AMA) Guidelines to determine this rating. The higher the disability rating, the more PPD benefits the worker may receive.
When PPD Benefits Start and Stop
Permanent Partial Disability benefits begin after the worker has reached MMI and the doctor assigns a disability rating. Payments continue based on the percentage of impairment and the compensation rate, which is two-thirds of the worker’s average weekly wage, up to Georgia’s legal cap.
How to Calculate Permanent Partial Disability in Georgia
Calculating Permanent Partial Disability (PPD) in Georgia involves determining the worker’s impairment rating, identifying the affected body part, and applying Georgia’s workers’ compensation laws to establish benefit payments.
Step 1: Determine the Impairment Rating
A medical professional evaluates the injured worker and assigns an impairment rating based on the percentage of function lost. This rating follows the American Medical Association (AMA) Guidelines and directly affects the number of weeks the worker will receive PPD benefits.
Step 2: Identify the Injured Body Part
Georgia law assigns a specific number of weeks for different injured body parts. This is called the PPD compensation schedule. For example, the loss of a hand is worth 160 weeks, while an arm is 225 weeks. Whole-body impairments receive a different calculation based on total disability.
Step 3: Apply the Compensation Formula
PPD benefits are calculated using this formula:
(Impairment Rating) × (Number of Weeks for the Injured Body Part) × (Compensation Rate)
- The compensation rate is two-thirds of the worker’s average weekly wage, subject to Georgia’s legal cap.
- Example: If a worker has a 10% impairment rating on a hand (160 weeks) and their weekly wage was $900, the calculation would be:
- 10% × 160 weeks = 16 weeks of PPD benefits
- Two-thirds of $900 = $600 weekly PPD payment
- Total PPD benefits = 16 × $600 = $9,600
Step 4: Consider the Wage-Loss or Impairment-Based Approach
Georgia allows two methods for PPD calculation:
- Impairment-Based Approach: Uses the disability rating to calculate benefits based on Georgia’s schedule.
- Wage-Loss Approach: Used in specific cases where the work-related injury leads to reduced earning capacity. This method considers actual wage loss due to partial disability.
Step 5: Determine the Duration of PPD Payments
The number of weeks a worker receives PPD benefits depends on the injury date, disability rating, and compensation schedule. Once the set number of weeks is reached, payments stop unless the worker qualifies for other workers’ compensation benefits.
Factors That Affect PPD Benefits in Georgia
Several factors influence how much Permanent Partial Disability (PPD) benefits an injured worker receives in Georgia. These include the impairment rating, the worker’s average weekly wage, the affected body part, and the worker’s ability to return to work.
Impairment Rating
A medical professional assigns an impairment rating based on the severity of the injury. A higher disability rating results in more PPD benefits. The rating is calculated as a percentage of function lost in the injured body part.
Worker’s Average Weekly Wage
The compensation rate is based on two-thirds of the worker’s average weekly wage at the time of the work-related injury. If a worker earned $900 per week, their PPD payments would be based on $600 per week, up to Georgia’s legal cap.
Affected Body Part
Georgia law assigns different compensation periods for specific injured body parts. Some injuries qualify for more weeks of PPD benefits than others. For example:
- Arm: 225 weeks
- Leg: 200 weeks
- Hand: 160 weeks
- Foot: 135 weeks
- Whole-body impairment: Calculated differently based on overall function loss.
Worker’s Age and Employment Options
An older worker or one with limited job skills may have a harder time finding alternative employment after a work injury. This can affect how PPD benefits are calculated, especially under the wage-loss approach.
Ability to Return to Work
If the injured worker can return to work at full pay, they may receive fewer PPD benefits. If they can only perform lower-paying jobs due to partial disability, they may qualify for additional wage loss compensation.
Employer and Insurance Company Disputes
Employers and workers’ compensation insurance providers may dispute the assigned disability rating or the worker’s earning capacity. This can delay or reduce Permanent Partial Disability benefits, making legal assistance from an experienced workers’ compensation attorney essential.
PPD Settlements & Lump Sum Payments
In Georgia, an injured worker may receive Permanent Partial Disability (PPD) benefits in weekly payments or as a lump sum settlement. Settlements allow a worker to receive compensation upfront instead of waiting for scheduled payments.
Lump Sum vs. Weekly Payments
Workers can choose to receive Permanent Partial Disability benefits over time or negotiate a lump sum settlement. Weekly payments follow Georgia’s workers’ compensation laws, while settlements involve a one-time payment negotiated between the worker and the workers’ compensation insurance provider.
How Lump Sum Settlements Are Calculated
A Permanent Partial Disability settlement considers factors such as:
- The worker’s impairment rating
- The number of weeks assigned to the injured body part
- The worker’s average weekly wage
- Potential future medical care costs
- The worker’s earning capacity after the work-related injury
Pros and Cons of a Lump Sum Settlement
Pros:
- Immediate access to funds
- No risk of benefit reduction due to insurance disputes
- Flexibility to cover medical expenses, lost wages, or job retraining
Cons:
- No additional payments if the injury worsens
- Settlement may be lower than total possible PPD benefits
- Insurance companies may offer less than the claim’s full value
Importance of Legal Representation
An experienced workers’ compensation attorney helps injured workers evaluate settlement offers and gather evidence to ensure they receive fair compensation. Without legal guidance, a worker may accept a PPD settlement that does not fully cover lost wages or future expenses.
How an Atlanta Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Can Help
An experienced workers’ compensation attorney protects the rights of injured workers and ensures they receive the Permanent Partial Disability (PPD) benefits they deserve. Without legal help, workers may face delays, unfair disability ratings, or low settlement offers.
Disputing Impairment Ratings
Insurance companies may dispute the impairment rating assigned by a medical professional to reduce PPD benefits. A lawyer can challenge unfair ratings and present medical evidence to secure a higher disability rating.
Maximizing PPD Benefits
A lawyer ensures that the PPD calculation follows Georgia law. This includes verifying the worker’s average weekly wage, applying the correct compensation rate, and securing the maximum number of PPD benefit weeks.
Negotiating Lump Sum Settlements
Insurance companies often push for quick, low PPD settlements. A lawyer negotiates for a fair lump sum payment, ensuring it covers medical care, lost wages, and the worker’s earning capacity after the injury.
Handling Workers’ Compensation Disputes
Employers and insurance companies may try to reduce or deny Permanent Partial Disability benefits. A lawyer gathers medical records, work history, and wage loss documentation to support the worker’s PPD claim. If necessary, they represent the worker in hearings before the Georgia State Board of Workers’ Compensation.
Free Consultation with Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Atlanta
Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Atlanta fights for injured workers in Georgia. Their legal team has a strong record of securing Permanent Partial Disability benefits, handling workers’ compensation cases, and maximizing settlements. They offer a free consultation to review claims and help workers receive the compensation they deserve.
Contact an Experienced Atlanta Workers’ Compensation Attorney Today!
If you have a work-related injury and need help securing your Permanent Partial Disability benefits, our team at Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Atlanta is ready to assist. We handle workers’ compensation cases, challenge unfair disability ratings, and negotiate settlements to help you get the compensation you deserve.
Contact us at 470-518-5026 for a free claim review today!
