Workers Compensation Board of Prince Edward Island
Impairment is a medically measurable and permanent reduction in function or structure, or an abnormality of psychological, physiological, or anatomical function or structure, resulting from a work-related injury or illness.
Most work-related injuries do not result in impairment, but in some situations, a worker may not fully recover. If you do not fully recover from your work-related injury or illness, you may be entitled to a lump sum Impairment Award.
The WCB will consider your entitlement for an Impairment Award if your condition:
Impairment awards are based on the percentage of total body impairment. Impairment is assessed by the WCB Medical Consultant or another qualified medical practitioner designated by the WCB, and it may involve a physical examination.
If your impairment has caused a loss of earning capacity, you may also be entitled to vocational rehabilitation services to help you get back to work. Details are available in the vocational rehabilitation section of this website.
If you believe that your medical condition has changed since your impairment was assessed, you may request a review of the degree of your impairment 16 months after the last assessment.
For more information about impairment assessment, please refer to the Impairment Assessment Guide, the WCB impairment policy, or contact your case coordinator.
If you can't find what you are looking for, please contact us.
Impairment
Impairment is a medically measurable and permanent reduction in function or structure, or an abnormality of psychological, physiological, or anatomical function or structure, resulting from a work-related injury or illness.
Most work-related injuries do not result in impairment, but in some situations, a worker may not fully recover. If you do not fully recover from your work-related injury or illness, you may be entitled to a lump sum Impairment Award.
The WCB will consider your entitlement for an Impairment Award if your condition:
- Is the result of a work-related injury or illness.
- Is at a medical plateau, which means that you are no longer in active treatment for your condition, and further recovery is not expected.
- Is a medically measurable and permanent reduction in function or structure, or an abnormality of psychological, physiological, or anatomical function or structure.
- Occurred on or after January 1, 1995. If your accident occurred prior to 1995, your case worker can provide you with information about your entitlement.
Impairment awards are based on the percentage of total body impairment. Impairment is assessed by the WCB Medical Consultant or another qualified medical practitioner designated by the WCB, and it may involve a physical examination.
If your impairment has caused a loss of earning capacity, you may also be entitled to vocational rehabilitation services to help you get back to work. Details are available in the vocational rehabilitation section of this website.
If you believe that your medical condition has changed since your impairment was assessed, you may request a review of the degree of your impairment 16 months after the last assessment.
For more information about impairment assessment, please refer to the Impairment Assessment Guide, the WCB impairment policy, or contact your case coordinator.
If you can't find what you are looking for, please contact us.
