A panel of doctors have rated my disability as a “category 2”. What does this mean?

Q: I recently went to a panel of doctors, at the request of the Department of Labor and Industries, for an examination. My claims manager tells me that the panel has rated my disability as a “Category 2″. What does this mean?

A: When an injured worker reaches a point where there is no further curative treatment that will benefit them, the Department of Labor and Industries is supposed to try to assess their permanent disability. If they are able to work, a permanent partial disability assessment is made. For injuries to the neck, back, low back, pelvis, lungs, heart, skin and others, the method of evaluating permanent disability is to select a “category” of impairment that most appropriately describes the person’s physical loss. Learn more about workers’ compensation claims.