What will happen is that the dr will determine the amount of permanent impairment you have, as a % of function of each part of your body. Each part of your body has a multiplier assigned to it for 100% impairment. So if your ankle is half permanently impaired, it will get half the multiplier. Then that amount is factored into a formula that includes your annual salary. All those add up to the total of your settlement. The WC insurance company will make an offer. If you think it's fair, you accept the offer, and then it has to be signed by a judge. Then you get a check, (tax-free) and go on your merry way.

If you don't agree with the degree of impairment, then you get an attorney to negotiate the offer.

This was my experience in TN and I am sure it is similar in every state, since it's all regulated by the US Department of Labor.

I got $13,000 in 2009, for a 7% impairment of my leg, after a fall in which my kneecap dislocated. I was making about $68k at the time. I was able to go back to my job with some short term restrictions, which were removed after about 6 months.

Don't forget to turn in your vehicle mileage for reimbursement. I took the dates of all my appointments and looked up the mileage on Google maps.

Another component of workers comp is vocational rehab. If you can't do your job you can get training to do something less physically demanding.