I have been released by the workers compensation doctor, and they gave me a rating. They also told me I cannot go back to my job, because of my physical restrictions. Are you telling me that all I am entitled to is the lousy few weeks of payment from my impairment rating?

A: No! Under North Carolina Law, there are several different ways to approach any compensation injury.  Just because you got a permanency rating, that does not necessarily mean that is all you could potentially get from a settlement.  If, for instance, due to your physical restrictions from the injury, age, and lack of education to obtain a job within those restrictions, it would now be futile and almost impossible for you to find a suitable job, then your injuries may have rendered you permanently and totally disabled. This is true even though you were only given a partial impairment rating on the part of your body that was hurt.  In that case, you may be entitled to compensation for the remainder of your life. On the other hand, you cannot get both. In other words, once you reach maximum medical improvement, the employer is entitled to a credit against any money they continue to pay you after you have reached MMI against your permanency rating. In other words, let's assume your rating would entitle you to 50 weeks of comp. Lets also assume it has been 50 weeks since you have been at MMI, and the employer has continued to pay your comp checks. Under those circumstances, you could no longer recover the 50 weeks for your partial impairment, BUT, you still may be able to negotiate for additional money based on numerous factors such as: How long it will take you to find a job? What kind of additional training do you need to get back to work? What are your future medical expenses? You should contact us to discuss how these factors may impact any potential resolution of your specific case.