What triggers a permanent disability dispute?

A permanent disability dispute often arises when there is a situation that affects the assessment of an injured worker’s long-term capability to perform work. The termination of temporary disability by the treating physician is a key event that can trigger such a dispute. When the treating physician decides that the worker's condition has stabilized and they are no longer eligible for temporary disability benefits, it usually implies that the worker may be moving towards a long-term assessment of their disability.

This can lead to disagreements regarding the extent of the permanent disability—whether the worker is, in fact, permanently disabled, and to what degree. The decision by the treating physician effectively shifts the focus from short-term recovery to long-term outcomes, often requiring further evaluation and potentially leading to disputes over the appropriate benefits and compensation that should be awarded.

In contrast, hiring a lawyer does not inherently trigger a permanent disability dispute. It may lead to legal representation during a dispute but is not a direct cause of the dispute itself. An employer disputing the injury may raise questions about coverage or liability but doesn’t directly deal with the assessment of permanent disability. Similarly, an evaluation by an independent doctor is generally a part of the process to assess the situation but does not initiate the dispute on its own—rather, it serves to