In Florida, permanent partial disability (PPD) benefits are calculated using Impairment Income Benefit (IIB), administered by the Florida Division of Workers' Compensation, with a maximum weekly benefit of $1,358.
Permanent partial disability (PPD) in Florida is awarded after you reach Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI) and your treating physician assigns a permanent impairment rating. Florida uses impairment income benefit (iib) to calculate PPD benefits. The impairment rating is expressed as a percentage of the whole body or as a specific body-part award, and multiplied by a dollar value set by state law to arrive at your PPD benefit.
The three main permanent disability systems in the U.S. are: (1) Impairment-based, your impairment percentage is multiplied by a fixed value per percent; (2) Scheduled loss, each body part has a maximum number of benefit weeks, and you receive a fraction based on impairment; (3) Wage-loss, benefits are based on the actual difference between pre- and post-injury earning capacity. Florida uses the impairment income benefit (iib) method, administered by the Florida Division of Workers' Compensation.
Independent Medical Examinations (IMEs) play a central role in permanent disability determinations. Both you and the insurer have the right to request an IME if you disagree with the treating physician's impairment rating. If you receive a PPD rating you believe is too low, you have the right to challenge it through the Florida Division of Workers' Compensation within 30 days.
| State | Florida |
|---|---|
| Administering Authority | Florida Division of Workers' Compensation |
| PPD System | Impairment Income Benefit (IIB) |
| Weekly Benefit Rate | 67% of AWW |
| Maximum Weekly Benefit | $1,358 |
| Appeal Deadline | 30 days from denial |
In Florida, impairment income benefit (iib) is used to rate PPD. After reaching Maximum Medical Improvement, your treating physician assigns an impairment rating that is converted to a dollar amount or weeks of benefits based on Florida's PPD schedule and your weekly benefit rate of 67%.
Yes. Permanent partial disability (PPD) benefits are awarded for permanent loss of function, they are not conditioned on current employment status. If you receive a PPD settlement and later return to full-duty work, you keep your PPD award.
The maximum PPD payout in Florida depends on your impairment rating, your pre-injury wages, and the state's PPD schedule. With a maximum weekly benefit of $1,358, a high impairment rating and serious injury can result in a substantial PPD award, potentially hundreds of thousands of dollars for severe whole-body impairment.
An Independent Medical Examination (IME) is a medical evaluation requested by the insurer to assess your impairment independently of your treating physician. IME ratings frequently differ from treating physician ratings, often lower. If you disagree with the IME rating, you have 30 days to challenge it by filing with the Florida Division of Workers' Compensation. Legal representation is strongly recommended at this stage.
In Florida, the Impairment Income Benefit (IIB) system determines whether your injury is treated as a scheduled injury (specific body part with a fixed maximum number of benefit weeks) or an unscheduled injury (whole-body or wage-loss basis). Scheduled injuries are generally more predictable; unscheduled injuries may provide higher awards for workers with significant wage loss.
Permanent partial disability (PPD) payments in Florida can be paid as a lump sum (common in settlements) or as weekly payments over a defined number of weeks based on the PPD schedule and impairment rating. Permanent total disability (PTD) benefits, for workers unable to perform any work, may continue for life, up to $1,358 per week.
From Florida Division of Workers' Compensation and Florida law. Checked October 2026. Each rule links to its official source.
| Weekly benefit | 66 2/3% of the worker's average weekly wage. Source |
|---|---|
| Weekly maximum | $1,358 per week for injuries from January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2026 (minimum $20). Resets every January 1. Source |
| Waiting period | No wage benefits for the first 7 days; if disability lasts more than 21 days, paid from the start. Source |
| Tell your employer | Tell the employer within 30 days of the injury or its first manifestation. Source |
| Deadline to file a claim | File a petition for benefits within 2 years of knowing the injury was work-related; each benefit payment or treatment extends it 1 year from that date. Source |
| Settlement approval | Depends. A Judge of Compensation Claims must approve settlements for unrepresented workers; for represented workers the judge approves only the attorney's fee. Source |
| Attorney fees | Statutory schedule: 20% of first $5,000, 15% of next $5,000, 10% of remainder (first 10 years), 5% after; judge must approve. Source |
Rules change. Confirm deadlines with Florida Division of Workers' Compensation or a licensed workers comp attorney before you rely on them.