An impairment resulting from an injury or illness can affect the way a person’s body functions. Impairment ratings are expressed as a percentage between zero and 100 and give employers and insurers an idea of how much the impairment will impact a person’s ability to work. Once an injured worker reaches maximum medical improvement, meaning further treatment will not improve their condition, a medical professional may conduct an impairment rating evaluation (IRE) to determine whether the injured employee has a partial or total disability. Typically, a person who receives a rating above 50 percent is considered to have a total disability and may be able to receive substantial benefits. However, you need to consult with an experienced workers’ comp attorney in South Carolina to get exact numbers.