Beginning in January 2012, the New York State Workers’ Compensation Board will implement a new method of assessing the level of non-schedule permanent impairment. The most common types of non-schedule type of impairments in New York involve neck and back injuries among many other types of injuries that may qualify.
The new form C-4.3 requires the attending physician to specifically document impairment classes as outlined in New York’s guidelines. Section F requires the medical provider to document the nature of specific limitation or restrictions such as lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, walking, kneeling, etc. The form also requests that the doctor categorize the patient’s exertional ability in one of six classes from an inability to perform less then sedentary work through an inability to perform very heavy work which involves lifting in excess of 100 lbs.
The new form may allow all New York parties to more accurately access a patient’s residual earning capacity which will ultimately determine the injured worker’s permanent rate of compensation.