Colorado Impairment Rating Payout Calculator

Permanent Impairment Rating (%):

Colorado State Average Weekly Wage (SAWW) for Year of Injury ($):

function calculatePayout() { var impairmentRating = parseFloat(document.getElementById("impairmentRating").value); var stateAWW = parseFloat(document.getElementById("stateAWW").value); // Input validation if (isNaN(impairmentRating) || impairmentRating 100) { document.getElementById("result").innerHTML = "Please enter a valid Permanent Impairment Rating between 0 and 100."; return; } if (isNaN(stateAWW) || stateAWW <= 0) { document.getElementById("result").innerHTML = "Please enter a valid positive Colorado State Average Weekly Wage (SAWW)."; return; } var weeksMultiplier = 208; // Statutory weeks for PPD in Colorado var sawwPercentageMultiplier = 0.91; // 91% of SAWW as per statute // Colorado PPD formula: 208 weeks * 91% of SAWW * (Impairment Rating / 100) var calculatedPayout = weeksMultiplier * sawwPercentageMultiplier * stateAWW * (impairmentRating / 100); document.getElementById("result").innerHTML = "Based on your inputs:" + "

Permanent Impairment Rating: " + impairmentRating + "%
Colorado State Average Weekly Wage (SAWW): $" + stateAWW.toFixed(2) + "

" + "Your estimated Permanent Partial Disability (PPD) payout is: $" + calculatedPayout.toFixed(2) + "" + "This calculation is based on Colorado's statutory formula for permanent partial disability (C.R.S. § 8-42-107(8)(d)). It does not account for temporary disability benefits, medical expenses, or other factors that may influence your total workers' compensation claim."; } /* Basic styling for the calculator */ .calculator-container { background-color: #f9f9f9; border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 20px; border-radius: 8px; max-width: 600px; margin: 20px auto; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; } .calculator-container h2 { text-align: center; color: #333; margin-bottom: 20px; } .form-group { margin-bottom: 15px; } .form-group label { display: block; margin-bottom: 5px; font-weight: bold; color: #555; } .form-group input[type="number"] { width: calc(100% – 22px); padding: 10px; border: 1px solid #ccc; border-radius: 4px; box-sizing: border-box; } button { background-color: #007bff; color: white; padding: 12px 20px; border: none; border-radius: 4px; cursor: pointer; font-size: 16px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; } button:hover { background-color: #0056b3; } .calculator-result { margin-top: 20px; padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #e0e0e0; border-radius: 4px; background-color: #e9f7ef; color: #333; } .calculator-result p { margin: 0 0 10px 0; line-height: 1.5; } .calculator-result p:last-child { margin-bottom: 0; } .calculator-result strong { color: #007bff; } .calculator-result ul { list-style-type: none; padding: 0; margin: 10px 0; } .calculator-result ul li { margin-bottom: 5px; } .calculator-result .error { color: #dc3545; font-weight: bold; } .calculator-result .note { font-size: 0.9em; color: #666; border-top: 1px dashed #ccc; padding-top: 10px; margin-top: 15px; }

Colorado Impairment Rating Payout Calculator: Understanding Your Workers' Comp Benefits

If you've suffered a work-related injury in Colorado that has resulted in a permanent loss of function, you may be entitled to Permanent Partial Disability (PPD) benefits. These benefits are designed to compensate you for the lasting physical limitations caused by your injury, even after you've reached maximum medical improvement (MMI).

Our Colorado Impairment Rating Payout Calculator helps you estimate the potential value of your PPD benefits based on the state's specific statutory formula. Understanding this calculation is a crucial step in navigating your workers' compensation claim.

What is an Impairment Rating?

An impairment rating is a medical assessment that quantifies the permanent loss of function to a specific body part or to the body as a whole, resulting from a work injury. This rating is typically determined by an authorized treating physician (ATP) once you have reached Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI) – the point where your condition is not expected to improve further.

How it's Determined: In Colorado, impairment ratings are based on the American Medical Association (AMA) Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment, usually the 6th Edition. The physician assesses your physical limitations and assigns a percentage, representing the degree of your permanent impairment.
Purpose: This percentage is a critical factor in calculating your Permanent Partial Disability (PPD) benefits.

Permanent Partial Disability (PPD) Benefits in Colorado

PPD benefits are a component of workers' compensation that provides financial compensation for the permanent physical limitations you experience due to a work injury. It's important to distinguish PPD from other types of workers' compensation benefits:

Temporary Disability Benefits: These compensate you for lost wages while you are temporarily unable to work.
Medical Benefits: These cover the costs of your medical treatment related to the work injury.

PPD benefits are specifically for the permanent impairment itself, not for lost wages or medical expenses, although these may be covered separately.

How Colorado Calculates PPD Payouts

Colorado Revised Statutes § 8-42-107(8)(d) outlines the specific formula used to calculate Permanent Partial Disability (PPD) benefits. The calculation is straightforward once you have the necessary information:

Payout = 208 Weeks × 91% of the State Average Weekly Wage (SAWW) × (Impairment Rating / 100)

Let's break down each component:

Impairment Rating: This is the percentage (e.g., 10%, 15%) assigned by your authorized treating physician, reflecting your permanent loss of function.
208 Weeks: This is a fixed multiplier established by Colorado statute for whole person impairment.
91% of the State Average Weekly Wage (SAWW): The SAWW is a figure determined annually by the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment. It represents the average weekly wage for all workers in the state. It's crucial to use the SAWW that was in effect for the specific year of your injury, as this figure changes annually. The statute uses 91% of this amount in the calculation.

Using the Calculator

To use the calculator above, simply input the following:

Permanent Impairment Rating (%): Enter the percentage your doctor assigned. For example, if your rating is 10%, enter "10".
Colorado State Average Weekly Wage (SAWW) for Year of Injury ($): Enter the SAWW that was applicable for the year your injury occurred. You can find this information on the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment website or by consulting with a workers' compensation attorney.

Click "Calculate Payout" to see your estimated Permanent Partial Disability benefit.

Example Calculation

Let's consider a realistic example:

Permanent Impairment Rating: 15%
Colorado State Average Weekly Wage (SAWW) for Year of Injury (e.g., 2024 SAWW): $1,565.47

Using the formula:

Payout = 208 × 0.91 × $1,565.47 × (15 / 100)

Payout = 208 × 0.91 × $1,565.47 × 0.15

Payout = $44,390.07

In this example, the estimated Permanent Partial Disability payout would be approximately $44,390.07.

Important Considerations & Disclaimers

While this calculator provides a valuable estimate, it's essential to understand its limitations:

Estimate Only: This calculator provides an estimate based strictly on the statutory formula. Your actual payout may vary.
Other Benefits: This calculation does not include other potential workers' compensation benefits, such as temporary disability payments, medical expense coverage, or vocational rehabilitation benefits.
Legal Factors: The final settlement of a workers' compensation claim can be influenced by various factors, including legal negotiations, the specifics of your injury, and any pre-existing conditions.
SAWW Accuracy: Ensure you use the correct State Average Weekly Wage (SAWW) for the exact year your injury occurred. This figure is updated annually.
Not Legal Advice: This calculator and the information provided are for informational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. Workers' compensation laws are complex, and every case is unique.

For personalized advice regarding your Colorado workers' compensation claim and to ensure you receive all the benefits you are entitled to, it is highly recommended to consult with a qualified Colorado workers' compensation attorney.