Florida Disability Rating Amounts 2017: Key Figures and Framework
Florida's 2017 workers' compensation disability rating amounts operate under the state's statutory schedule of impairments, where benefits depend on the body part injured, the assigned rating percentage, and the employee's average weekly wage. The system uses a maximum of 75 percent impairment for most body parts, with the exception of the loss of a hand, arm, foot, leg, or eye, which is capped at 75 percent but calculated differently. For 2017, the Impairment Rating Evaluation (IRE) must be completed within 180 days of maximum medical improvement (MMI), and the rating determines whether benefits continue or shift to a lump-sum settlement.
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The 2017 changes introduced by the Florida legislature altered how temporary total disability (TTD) benefits convert to permanent impairment benefits. If an IRE rates an injured worker at less than 50 percent impairment, the employer or insurer may cap TTD payments at 104 weeks from the date of injury, regardless of whether the worker has reached MMI. Conversely, a rating of 50 percent or higher allows TTD benefits to continue until MMI is reached. The impairment rating itself is expressed as a percentage of the whole person, and the compensation amount is calculated by multiplying that percentage by the number of weeks specified in the Florida statutory schedule for the affected body part.
How Impairment Rating Amounts Are Calculated
To determine the dollar amount of a permanent impairment benefit in Florida, the rating percentage is multiplied by the compensation rate. The compensation rate for 2017 is two-thirds of the employee's average weekly wage, subject to the statutory maximum. The maximum average weekly wage for TTD purposes in 2017 is $971, which caps the weekly benefit at approximately $647. The total permanent impairment award is then calculated by multiplying the weekly compensation rate by the number of weeks of impairment allowed for the specific body part. For example, a loss of an arm is valued at 243 weeks; a 10 percent impairment rating would yield 24.3 weeks of compensation at the applicable rate.
Body Part Impairment Weeks and Maximum Ratings
The Florida statutory schedule assigns a specific number of weeks to each body part, reflecting the severity of the loss. The maximum impairment rating is 75 percent for most parts, except for the loss of sight in an eye or the loss of a hand, which are treated as 75 percent. The following table outlines the key body parts and their corresponding weeks of impairment under Florida law for 2017 claims.
| Body Part | Impairment Weeks | Maximum Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Arm | 243 | 75% |
| Hand | 192 | 75% |
| Leg | 217 | 75% |
| Foot | 139 | 75% |
| Eye | 150 | 75% |
| Thumb | 60 | 75% |
| Index Finger | 36 | 75% |
| Middle Finger | 40 | 75% |
| Ring Finger | 32 | 75% |
| Pinky Finger | 30 | 75% |
| Loss of Leg | 217 | 75% |
Impact of the 2017 Legislative Changes on Benefit Duration
The 2017 amendments to Florida's workers' compensation law significantly affected how long an injured worker receives benefits after an impairment rating. Before the change, workers could potentially receive TTD benefits indefinitely until they reached MMI. After the change, the 104-week cap applies unless the IRE yields a 50 percent or higher rating. This shift places a premium on the IRE process, making the impairment rating not just a determinant of lump-sum value but also a gatekeeper for ongoing income replacement. Workers who receive a rating below 50 percent may see their TTD benefits stop at the 104-week mark, even if they have not yet reached MMI, which can create financial pressure during ongoing treatment or rehabilitation.