Before your claim is closed, several factors must be considered, including:

• Your medical condition.
• Your ability to work, based on your injury.
• Whether you have any permanent impairment due to your injury.

Some duty injuries and occupational diseases may result in additional financial compensation, such as an award, pension, or settlement.

Permanent Partial Disability Awards

If your injury or occupational disease results in permanent loss of bodily function, you may be entitled to a permanent partial disability (PPD) award. The degree of partial functional loss is determined by a disability rating. These ratings are conducted by the healthcare provider who treated you (the attending provider) or by one or more independent medical examiners (IMEs), using established medical standards and guidelines. Ratings are typically performed once your condition is medically stable, and no further treatment is needed. The award is intended to cover all future costs related to the claim. The amount you receive for any physical loss does not include compensation for pain and suffering.

Once the PPD is awarded, your claim will be closed. If a future injury affects the same body part, any additional PPD award will be based on a newly calculated disability rating and will cover only the newly incurred, more severe permanent loss of bodily function. For example, if the first PPD award is based on a two percent closing rating and the second injury results in a four percent closing rating, the second PPD award will be for only the two percent over the previous rating, not the full four percent.

You will not jeopardize a permanent partial disability award by working. You should return to your job as soon as your provider releases you to work. Any permanent partial disability award you receive is based on the degree of impairment, not on whether you can work.

Visit the L&I Permanent Partial Disability website for information on Permanent Partial Disability award schedules, including PPD down payment amounts and maximum award amounts for specific disabilities.

Permanent Total Disability Pensions

If your accident results in the loss or total paralysis of both legs or arms, the loss of one leg and one arm, or total loss of eyesight, you are eligible for a pension by law, even if you are able to return to work.

If vocational and medical evaluations determine that your injury prevents you from ever becoming gainfully employed, you may be entitled to a pension. Pension benefits are paid monthly. As with time-loss compensation benefits, the amount you are eligible to receive depends on factors such as your wages, family status, number of dependents, employer-provided health-care benefits, Social Security benefits, the state’s average wage at the time of your injury, and your pension option choice. Previously paid permanent partial disability awards reduce your pension benefit amount.

While pension benefits are paid directly by L&I, the city funds them. More information will be provided to you when a pension is determined.

Visit the L&I Permanent Total Disability Pensions website for information on pension benefits and payments, as well as on how your Federal Social Security benefits may affect the amount of your State disability pension payments.

Structured Settlement Agreements

A structured settlement is an agreement between a worker and the employer to resolve a claim. The agreement generally resolves all future benefits, except medical benefits. Workers remain eligible to receive medical treatment for conditions allowed under their claim.

In most structured settlements, the claim is closed. The worker receives a set amount of compensation in a series of payments outlined in the agreement.

To be eligible, an injured worker must:

• Be at least 50 years old, and
• Have an allowed workers’ compensation claim in Washington, and
• Wait at least 180 days after the self-insured employer received the claim.

The city may initiate a structured settlement discussion with you; however, structured settlements are voluntary, must be agreed to by all parties, and must be approved by the Board of Industrial Insurance Appeals.

Visit the L&I Structured Settlement website for more information on structured settlements or to begin a structured settlement discussion.