California Permanent Disability Ratings

Any claims examiner, rater or even the injured worker is allowed to make a
correction to a miscalculated impairment when properly supported by the
reported findings of the MMI report.

The 5th Edition of the AMA Guides defines the standard methods the evaluator must
follow to measure the objective manifestations of impairment when considering both
anatomic and functional loss. If the medical evaluator provides a miscalculation of
impairment and the body of the medical report supports and includes objective
clinical criteria that would support a higher or lower impairment, the AMA Guides
allows any knowledgeable observer to adjust the reported impairment accordingly.
AMA Guides 5th Edition, Chapters 2, pg 17

The AMA Guides mandates that the final WPI be based on the method that gives the
highest and most clinically accurate impairment rating when properly supported by
measurable objective factors.

We have provided consultative services to the WC Community for more than 30
years. Since 2005, we have rated more than 8,500 medical reports under the AMA
Guides and have found 89% of those reports to provide an incorrect impairment
analysis.

It is our responsibility to go beyond the page that provides the AMA Analysis. When
requested to provide a Disability Rating, we rate the entire medical report. Not just
the physician’s AMA analysis.

When we correct the analysis and provide a recommended rating, we stay within the
boundaries of the medical report’s objective impairment factors, even on those
occasions in which we address other impairments factors, tables, etc., completely
ignored by the physician.

PD RATING SERVICES

Basic Rating: Disability Formulas based on the Evaluating Physician’s Reported Impairment
calculations with adjustments under either the 2005PDRS or 97PDRS.
Mathematical Corrections Only. No Tables, Charts or Compliance Comments given.
If Medical Report does not comply with AMA criteria or 2005 PDRS, we will provide a
Comprehensive Rating Analysis.

Comprehensive Rating Analysis: Verifies impairment ratings comply with AMA Guides criteria &
2005 PDRS. Corrects misapplications of the AMA Guides Rating Criteria and corrects
miscalculations of Whole Person Impairment. Includes annotated corrections and easy-to-follow
verification tables that indicate proper medical findings for the given WPI present at MMI.
Converts AMA Scales to WPI. Adjusts WPI by PDRS modifiers: DFEC, Occupation & Age.
Combines multiple disabilities when applicable. Addresses causation / apportionment.
When a provisional rating is determined, requiring a supplemental report,
the analysis specifies information needed to be obtained from evaluating physician. Rating Example

Multifaceted Report Analysis or DEU / Private Rating Review: Addresses deficiencies and
inconsistencies of the medical report, the State or Private Rating according to established published
procedures - The Schedule for Rating Permanent Disabilities, The California Code of Regulations
and the 5th Edition of The AMA Guides.

Includes formulas for all ratable factors and specifies additional information required by evaluating
physician to address to make the medical report ratable. Comparative & Recommended Formulas
Included. 05PDRS & Prior Schedules.

Medical File / Multiple P&S Evaluations Rating: Formulas after consideration of duplication /
pyramiding / overlap among all factors of disability within the multiple evaluations. Comparative &
Recommended Formulas Included. (3 or more Medical Reports).

Almaraz/Guzman Impairment Analysis: Provides disability Formulas for both the correct AMA Guides
Rating and the alternative impairment ratings under Almaraz-Guzman. Considers Duplication among
all Impairments within the multiple evaluations for different body organs / systems. Addresses
deficiencies & inconsistencies of the report, the correct rating under the AMA Guides or the alternative
rating to the AMA Guides 5th Edition.

Impairment-As-Reported Rating: Request this rating service when a rating formula of impairment as
reported in the medical report is needed, but no analysis is required. A rating will be given with only
corrections to mathematical miscalculations of impairment. Formulas abide to 05/97PDRS rating,
modifiers & combination guidelines.

AMA Impairment Analysis for Texas, Nevada & Utah: Reported findings are checked with the
appropriate Guides’ Edition rating criteria to determine that proper calculation of impairment has been
made. Includes corrections of WPI miscalculations & addresses misapplications of Guides Rating
Criteria. Also includes annotated corrections and easy-to-follow verification tables that indicate proper
medical findings for the given WPI present at MMI. AMA Impairment Analysis (Other States)