What is an impairment rating?

An impairment rating is fundamentally defined as a determination of the severity of an injury based on its impact on work-related functions. This rating is a critical component in the workers' compensation system as it helps to quantify the extent of an employee's impairment after a workplace injury. The rating is usually expressed as a percentage, indicating how much the injury has reduced the individual's ability to perform certain job-related tasks or functions.

This systematic approach enables adjustments in compensation and provides a framework for assessing how injuries affect the ability to work. Medical professionals typically conduct these evaluations to ensure that the rating accurately reflects the individual's current functional limitations resulting from the injury. Thus, it plays an essential role in determining the benefits that an injured worker may be entitled to receive.

In contrast, the other choices focus on aspects that are not directly related to the specific definition of an impairment rating.