How disabled am I, at least on paper, and who decides that? A disability rating is a medical-legal measurement of how much an injury, illness, or lasting condition has reduced a person's physical or mental function. It is usually given as a percentage and is often based on a doctor's evaluation, medical records, work restrictions, and standardized guidelines. A higher rating generally means a greater permanent loss of function. It does not always mean total inability to work; many people with a disability rating can still do some jobs, but not the same work they did before.

This number can directly affect money, benefits, and deadlines. In a workers' compensation case, a disability rating may determine permanent partial disability benefits, settlement value, and whether an injured worker should take weekly checks or a lump-sum settlement. In North Carolina, permanent impairment ratings are central under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 97-31, which sets compensation for loss or loss of use of certain body parts. If the rating is too low, the worker may be underpaid for a life-changing injury.

Timing matters. Insurance companies often rely heavily on the treating doctor's rating, and once paperwork moves forward, fixing a bad rating can get harder. A disputed rating may require a second opinion or a hearing before the North Carolina Industrial Commission. If an injury happened outside workers' comp, the rating can still influence proof of damages, future care, and lost earning capacity.