I mostly agree with my colleague Pat. But let me add - a permanent partial disability award is not a "settlement". It is an award which comes off a schedule based on the date of your injury (the schedule changes slightly once a year on July 1). Rating a total knee replacement is a fairly cut and dried process using a book called the AMA Guide to Impairments Fifth Edition. Sometimes the attending surgeon is willing to rate; often they are not. Sometimes the Department (or self-insured employer) will defer to the attending doctor, often they will not. If they schedule an IME, that is not optional; you have to attend. If you or your doctor disagree with the rating, your doctor can certainly offer his or her own opinion, or you may have to pay an outside doctor to do a separate rating. You may end up litigating which rating is correct. Then you have to consider the cost of the doctor, the cost of litigation, the dollar difference in the ratings, and whether it is financially worth the fight. You should consult with an attorney who can look at your case and evaluate your situation. I hope this is helpful to you.

If you have had a total knee replacement then you will be entitled to a permanent partial disability award. The awards are based on a rating process done by your doctor using a guideline. The doctor will assign a percentage of disability and that will equate to a fixed dollar figure. If you are sent to see your employers doctor or a doctor hired by the department,an IME, Then they will give you a lower rating. Most treating doctors will give a rating that is fair for their patients. I do not recommend going to and IME under most circumstances. If you would like to have a greater discussion about possibilities problems and solutions then you should call a Worker’s Compensation attorney. I wish you well. Please be safe in this COVID-19 world.