In New York, permanent partial disability (PPD) benefits are calculated using Scheduled loss of use (SLU) awards, administered by the New York Workers' Compensation Board, with a maximum weekly benefit of $1,281.50.
Permanent partial disability (PPD) in New York is awarded after you reach Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI) and your treating physician assigns a permanent impairment rating. New York uses scheduled loss of use (slu) awards 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. New York uses the scheduled loss of use (slu) awards method, administered by the New York Workers' Compensation Board.
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 New York Workers' Compensation Board within 30 days.
| State | New York |
|---|---|
| Administering Authority | New York Workers' Compensation Board |
| PPD System | Scheduled loss of use (SLU) awards |
| Weekly Benefit Rate | 67% of AWW |
| Maximum Weekly Benefit | $1,281.50 |
| Appeal Deadline | 30 days from denial |
In New York, scheduled loss of use (slu) awards 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 New York'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 New York depends on your impairment rating, your pre-injury wages, and the state's PPD schedule. With a maximum weekly benefit of $1,281.50, 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 New York Workers' Compensation Board. Legal representation is strongly recommended at this stage.
In New York, the Scheduled loss of use (SLU) awards 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 New York 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 $1,281.50 per week.
From New York Workers' Compensation Board and New York law. Checked October 2026. Each rule links to its official source.
| Weekly benefit | Two-thirds of average weekly wage, multiplied by the medically determined degree of disability (100% for total disability). Source |
|---|---|
| Weekly maximum | $1,281.50 per week for injuries from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027 (minimum $384.45). Resets every July 1. Source |
| Waiting period | No wage benefits for the first 7 days; if disability lasts more than 14 days, paid back to the first day missed. Source |
| Tell your employer | Tell your employer in writing within 30 days of the injury. Source |
| Deadline to file a claim | File Form C-3 with the Workers' Compensation Board within two years of the injury or illness. Source |
| Settlement approval | Yes. Section 32 Waiver Agreements bind only after approval by the New York Workers' Compensation Board. Source |
| Attorney fees | No single percentage cap. Fees are unenforceable unless the Board approves them; WCL 24 sets fee formulas for certain award types. Source |
Rules change. Confirm deadlines with New York Workers' Compensation Board or a licensed workers comp attorney before you rely on them.