Pennsylvania Workers' Comp Impairment Rating Evaluation (IRE)

Have your workers’ compensation benefits been reduced to 500 weeks because of an Impairment Rating Evaluation?

The Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Act provides employers and their insurance companies with several ways to reduce a claimant’s wage loss benefits, even if that person is not fully recovered from their work injury.

An Impairment Rating Evaluation (IRE) is a medical exam requested by the workers' compensation insurer to determine an injured worker's total body impairment. Historically, the findings of the impairment rating doctor could have been used to potentially modify someone's benefits.

However, recently, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled that this is unconstitutional in the case Protz v. Workers’ Compensation Appeal Board. The outcome of this ruling means that employers and their insurers can no longer reduce or limit one’s benefits based on Impairment Rating Evaluations.

If your workers’ compensation benefits were reduced based on an IRE and you did not yet settle your case, you should contact the workers’ compensation attorneys at Metzger Wickersham to see how we may be able to help.

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