Impairment Rating Payout Calculator Idaho

Idaho Impairment Rating Payout Calculator

(This value changes annually. Use a current estimate.)

function calculateImpairmentPayout() { var impairmentRating = parseFloat(document.getElementById("impairmentRating").value); var workerAWW = parseFloat(document.getElementById("workerAWW").value); var idahoSAWW = parseFloat(document.getElementById("idahoSAWW").value); if (isNaN(impairmentRating) || isNaN(workerAWW) || isNaN(idahoSAWW) || impairmentRating < 0 || workerAWW < 0 || idahoSAWW 100) { document.getElementById("weeklyBenefit").innerText = "Calculated Weekly Benefit: Invalid Input"; document.getElementById("totalWeeks").innerText = "Total Weeks of Compensation: Invalid Input"; document.getElementById("totalPayout").innerText = "Estimated Total Impairment Payout: Please enter valid positive numbers."; return; } // Idaho specific constants var statutoryWeeksFor100PercentImpairment = 500; // Idaho Code § 72-450(1) var benefitRatePercentage = 0.67; // 67% of AWW var maxBenefitPercentageOfSAWW = 0.90; // Capped at 90% of SAWW // Step 1: Calculate the maximum weekly benefit based on SAWW var maxWeeklyBenefit = maxBenefitPercentageOfSAWW * idahoSAWW; // Step 2: Calculate the worker's unadjusted weekly benefit var unadjustedWeeklyBenefit = benefitRatePercentage * workerAWW; // Step 3: Determine the actual weekly benefit, applying the cap var calculatedWeeklyBenefit = Math.min(unadjustedWeeklyBenefit, maxWeeklyBenefit); // Step 4: Calculate the total weeks of compensation var totalWeeksOfCompensation = (impairmentRating / 100) * statutoryWeeksFor100PercentImpairment; // Step 5: Calculate the estimated total impairment payout var estimatedTotalPayout = calculatedWeeklyBenefit * totalWeeksOfCompensation; document.getElementById("weeklyBenefit").innerText = "Calculated Weekly Benefit: $" + calculatedWeeklyBenefit.toFixed(2); document.getElementById("totalWeeks").innerText = "Total Weeks of Compensation: " + totalWeeksOfCompensation.toFixed(2); document.getElementById("totalPayout").innerText = "Estimated Total Impairment Payout: $" + estimatedTotalPayout.toFixed(2); }

Understanding Your Idaho Impairment Rating Payout

If you've suffered a work-related injury or illness in Idaho and have reached maximum medical improvement (MMI), your doctor may assign you a permanent partial impairment (PPI) rating. This rating is a crucial factor in determining the amount of workers' compensation benefits you may receive for your permanent disability.

What is an Impairment Rating?

An impairment rating is a medical assessment, typically expressed as a percentage, that describes the degree of permanent loss of function to a body part or to the whole person as a result of a work injury. In Idaho, these ratings are usually based on the American Medical Association (AMA) Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment. A 10% whole person impairment, for example, means your body as a whole has a 10% permanent loss of function due.

How Idaho Calculates Impairment Payouts

Idaho's workers' compensation system uses a specific formula to translate your impairment rating into a monetary payout. The calculation primarily depends on three key factors:

1. Your Whole Person Impairment Rating: This is the percentage assigned by your doctor.
2. Your Average Weekly Wage (AWW): This is your average earnings before your injury.
3. The Idaho State Average Weekly Wage (SAWW): This is a figure set annually by the state, used to determine maximum benefit rates.

The general formula for permanent partial impairment benefits in Idaho involves:

• Weekly Benefit Rate: Your weekly benefit is generally 67% of your Average Weekly Wage (AWW). However, this amount is capped. It cannot exceed 90% of the Idaho State Average Weekly Wage (SAWW). The calculator determines the lower of these two figures.
• Total Weeks of Compensation: Idaho law (specifically Idaho Code § 72-450(1)) assigns 500 weeks of compensation for a 100% whole person impairment. Your specific impairment rating is multiplied by these 500 weeks to determine your total compensation period. For example, a 10% impairment rating would equate to 50 weeks (10% of 500 weeks).
• Total Payout: Your calculated weekly benefit rate is then multiplied by your total weeks of compensation to arrive at your estimated total impairment payout.

Example Calculation:

Let's consider a hypothetical scenario:

• Impairment Rating: 15%
• Worker's Average Weekly Wage (AWW): $750
• Idaho State Average Weekly Wage (SAWW): $1,050 (for the current year)

1. Calculate Maximum Weekly Benefit: 90% of $1,050 = $945.00
2. Calculate Worker's Unadjusted Weekly Benefit: 67% of $750 = $502.50
3. Determine Actual Weekly Benefit: The lower of $945.00 and $502.50 is $502.50.
4. Calculate Total Weeks of Compensation: 15% of 500 weeks = 75 weeks.
5. Estimate Total Payout: $502.50 (weekly benefit) * 75 weeks = $37,687.50

Using the calculator above with these values should yield a similar result.

Important Considerations:

• This calculator provides an estimate only. Actual payouts can vary based on specific legal interpretations, additional benefits, or settlements.
• SAWW Changes Annually: The Idaho State Average Weekly Wage is updated each year, which can affect the maximum weekly benefit rate. Ensure you use the most current SAWW for the most accurate estimate.
• Legal Advice is Crucial: Workers' compensation laws are complex. It is highly recommended to consult with an experienced Idaho workers' compensation attorney to understand your rights and ensure you receive the full benefits you are entitled to.
• Other Benefits: This calculator focuses solely on permanent partial impairment benefits. You may also be eligible for temporary disability benefits, medical treatment, and vocational rehabilitation.

Use this calculator as a helpful tool to get a preliminary understanding of your potential impairment payout in Idaho, but always seek professional legal and medical advice for your specific situation.