What is a scheduled loss of use?
If your workers’ compensation injury results in a permanent impairment, however slight, to an appendage (i.e. arm, leg, hand, foot, etc.), or the loss of hearing or vision, you will typically be entitled to a “schedule loss of use award” based on the loss of function to that body part.
SLU awards are made after you have reached “maximum medical improvement” (MMI), meaning that no additional recovery is expected. Typically, you are deemed to have reached maximum medical improvement one year after surgery or a year after your accident if you do not need surgery.
After a year, assuming that you do not have any ongoing complications, ask your doctor to submit a report setting forth your SLU to the Workers’ Compensation Board. This report must be submitted on a Doctor’s Report of MMI/Permanent Partial Impairment (C-4.3) form. Generally, you should ask your surgeon or treating physician for this opinion; however, because some doctors consistently give low schedule loss of use opinions, please ask us if we would recommend that you see a different doctor for an SLU report. Please provide a copy of C4.3 form and corresponding report to our office.
Schedule loss of use awards are considered an advanced payment of all future out-of-work benefits. Therefore, if you lose time from work after receiving an SLU award, you may not be entitled to additional out-of-work benefits. If you lose or expect to lose significant time from work after receiving an SLU award, please contact our office.
After my SLU Award
If your condition worsens after you receive an SLU award, you may be entitled to an increased SLU award. To increase your SLU award, please provide us with a doctor’s report explaining in detail how your condition has worsened and stating your new SLU on a C-4.3 form.
Although an SLU award is typically a final cash payment, you will continue to be covered for medical treatment related to your work injury even after your SLU award.
How are schedule loss of use awards calculated?
A schedule loss of use award is calculated by multiplying your percentage loss of use – as determined by the doctors — by a number of weeks of benefits based upon which body part is injured.
See our Scheduled Loss of Use Calculator, to estimate your scheduled loss of use award.
| Body Part | Weeks |
|---|---|
| Arm | 312 |
| Leg | 288 |
| Hand | 244 |
| Foot | 205 |
| Eye | 160 |
| Thumb | 75 |
| First Finger | 46 |
| Second Finger | 30 |
| Third Finger | 25 |
| Fourth Finger | 15 |
| Big Toe | 38 |
| Other Toe | 16 |
- Example:
- Per the above table a 100% schedule loss of use of a leg entitles an injured worker to 288 weeks of cash benefits at the maximum/100% rate.
- If your injury resulted in a 25% SLU of the leg, you would be entitled to 72 weeks of benefits (25% of 288). 25% x 288 wks = 72 wks.
- Assuming that you have an AWW of $900.00, the maximum rate per week is $600/wk.
- For a 25% SLU of the leg you would be entitled to 72 weeks of benefits x $600.00 per week or
$43,200. 72 wks x $900/wk = $43,200.00
The total amount that you have already received for lost wages or reduced earnings is then subtracted from the schedule loss of use award. Therefore, using the above example, if you had previously received $12,000 in wage benefits, you would receive $31,200 ($43,200.00 – $12,000) as an SLU award.
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