Workers’ Compensation Awards for Loss of Use or Permanent Disability

Workers’ Compensation Benefits

Schedule loss of use

A Schedule Loss of Use award (known as an SLU) is an additional cash payment. Your injury may come under a schedule loss of use if you have permanently lost use of:

• Upper Extremity
  • Shoulder
  • Arm
  • Hand
  • Wrist
  • Finger
• Lower Extremity
  • Hip
  • Leg
  • Knee
  • Ankle
  • Foot
  • Toe
• Eyesight
• Hearing

Compensation is limited to a certain number of weeks based on the body part and severity of the disability, according to a schedule set by law. Temporary benefits that have been paid are deducted from the total SLU award.

Understanding Your Schedule Loss of Use Award

Non-schedule

Non-schedule is a permanent disability involving a part of the body or condition that is not covered by a SLU award. This includes injuries to the:

• Spine
• Pelvis
• Lungs
• Heart
• Brain

Non-schedule benefits are based on the permanent loss of earning capacity. If the work related accident or date of disablement occurred before March 13, 2007, benefits are payable as long as the partial disability exists and results in wage loss.

If the work related accident or date of disablement occurred on or after March 13, 2007, benefits are payable for a maximum number of weeks as determined by the claimant's loss of wage-earning capacity. The maximum number of weeks is set forth in statute as follows:

Loss of wage earning capacity

Weeks	Loss of wage earning capacity
525	Greater than 95%
500	Greater than 90% through 95%
475	Greater than 85% through 90%
450	Greater than 80% through 85%
425	Greater than 75% through 80%
400	Greater than 70% through 75%
375	Greater than 60% through 70%
350	Greater than 50% through 60%
300	Greater than 40% through 50%
275	Greater than 30% through 40%
250	Greater than 15% through 30%
225	15% or less

Disfigurement

If you have an injury to your face, head or neck and are permanently disfigured you may be entitled to receive $20,000, depending upon the date and extent of your injury.

Related pages

• Lost Wage Benefits
• Calculating Your Average Weekly Wage
• Disability Classifications
• Schedule of Maximum Weekly Benefit
• Awards for Loss of Use or Permanent Disability
• Understanding Your Schedule Loss of Use Award