A Schedule Loss of Use (SLU) award in New York is a cash award for permanent loss of function in certain body parts, even if the worker has returned to the job. These awards usually apply to injuries involving an arm, hand, leg or foot, as well as hearing or vision, under the New York workers’ compensation system.
Returning to work does not automatically end eligibility
Returning to work does not automatically end the right to an SLU award. These awards focus on permanent impairment, not just lost work time. In New York, they apply to lasting damage in specific body parts, and the amount of the award depends on the body part involved and the degree of loss.
What injuries may lead to a SLU award?
Since these awards usually involve permanent injuries to scheduled body parts, a worker needs medical proof showing lasting loss of use after the condition reaches a stable point. These awards often involve injuries such as:
- Reduced range of motion in a hand, wrist or knee
- Permanent weakness in an arm or hand
- Lasting loss of function after surgery resulting from a work injury
- Partial vision or hearing loss from a work injury
These examples matter only if the injury caused permanent loss that fits how the Workers’ Compensation Board evaluates permanent loss.
Medical proof and timing can affect the award
Doctors’ reports, impairment ratings and treatment records drive these claims. Early opinions do not always reflect the final level of loss, and disputes can arise over whether the rating matches the Board’s guidelines. Because that rating can shape the value of the award, a worker may need to look closely at the medical record before the case moves forward. A lawyer can help challenge a low rating or an opinion that does not fully reflect the permanent loss, especially when the issue affects other parts of a work injury claim.