Impairment Reports
Assessing impairment for claims approaching resolution
For more than 18 years, LexiMed has prepared impairment reports for legal and insurance professionals managing compensation and regulatory matters. These reports assess the presence and degree of impairment at a defined point in time, using the relevant impairment guide to support entitlement decisions.
What an impairment report is used for?
An impairment report is a formal medical assessment that examines the physical or psychological impact of an injury or illness. These reports are most often used in compensation and regulatory matters where impairment thresholds influence entitlement or ongoing obligations.
Impairment reports are commonly relied on in:
- Workers’ compensation claims to assess permanent impairment and determine lump sum or ongoing entitlements
- Insurance matters, including motor vehicle accident claims
- Disability-related assessments where impairment ratings inform eligibility decisions
- Regulatory matters involving health practitioners, where impairment may affect capacity to practise safely
Across each of these settings, the role of the impairment report is consistent: to provide a standardised medical opinion on functional impairment that supports informed decision-making.
What the assessment covers?
While the requirements vary by jurisdiction and scheme, an impairment assessment typically involves:
- Confirmation that maximum medical improvement has been reached and the condition is unlikely to materially improve
- Review of relevant medical records, investigations and treatment history
- Clinical assessment conducted by an accredited specialist authorised to apply the relevant impairment guide
- Evaluation of physical or psychological functional loss resulting from the injury or illness
- Application of the appropriate impairment guide to determine Whole Person Impairment (WPI) in line with scheme requirements
- Preparation of a structured medicolegal report setting out findings, methodology and impairment ratings
Accredited specialists experienced in impairment assessments
LexiMed works with more than 20 experienced medicolegal specialists who are accredited to conduct impairment assessments. Each matter is matched with a specialist who understands both the medical condition being assessed and the requirements of the relevant impairment guide.
Our network includes orthopaedic surgeons, psychiatrists, neurologists, occupational physicians, rehabilitation specialists and other accredited practitioners. All are familiar with how impairment reports are analysed and relied upon in legal and insurance settings.
This allows us to manage impairment assessments involving physical injury, psychological conditions or combined presentations without compromising accuracy.
What to expect when you partner with LexiMed
Careful application of impairment guides
Impairment assessments are technical and complex. Our specialists apply the relevant guide methodically, rather than rushing to a conclusion.
Reports prepared for end-stage decisions
Impairment reports are often used to finalise claims. Our reports are written with that purpose in mind, setting out findings in a way that can be followed and relied upon.
Professional assessments for claimants
Assessments are conducted respectfully and without unnecessary pressure. Taking the time to complete the assessment properly often results in a more accurate outcome.
Experience that avoids common pitfalls
After more than 18 years working alongside legal and insurance professionals, we have seen where impairment reports can fall short. That experience informs how assessments are arranged and how reports are prepared.
Timely reporting at a critical point
Delays at this stage of a claim or case can create unnecessary complications. Our process is designed to move efficiently from assessment to report delivery.
Reports prepared locally
All reports are prepared by our Australian-based team, allowing close collaboration with specialists and careful handling of sensitive information.
Our process
STEP 1
Make an appointment
Contact LexiMed to discuss the matter and the impairment assessment required. Our team will confirm the appropriate specialist and impairment guide.
STEP 2
Examination and assessment
The claimant attends the examination with the nominated specialist. Depending on the matter, the assessment may focus on a single condition or multiple injuries.
STEP 3
Reporting
The specialist prepares a structured impairment report addressing permanent impairment and guide-based ratings.
Based in Brisbane, operating nationwide
Our network of medicolegal specialists and medical suites extends across Australia, making it possible to arrange assessments wherever they are needed.
Progress a claim with an impairment report
When a matter reaches the point where permanent impairment must be assessed, our team can help arrange an impairment report aligned with the relevant guide and entitlement requirements.