{"id":"qld:sl-2025-0109","name":"Civil Liability Regulation 2025","slug":"civil-liability-regulation-2025","collection":"regulation","jurisdiction":"qld","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":"109 of 2025","makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":173672,"registerId":"qld-sl-2025-0109-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-05","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"sch.2-pt.1","sectionType":"part","heading":"Objectives of sch 3 (Ranges of ISVs)","content":"# Objectives of sch 3 (Ranges of ISVs)","sortOrder":0},{"sectionNumber":"sch.2-sec.1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Objectives of sch 3","content":"### sch.2-sec.1 Objectives of sch 3\n\nThe objectives of schedule 3 include promoting—\nconsistency of assessments of general damages awarded by courts for similar injuries; and\nsimilarity of assessments of general damages awarded by courts for different types of injury that have a similar level of adverse impact on an injured person.\nFor the assessment of an ISV by a court if general damages are to be awarded, see section 61 of the Act .\n- (a) consistency of assessments of general damages awarded by courts for similar injuries; and\n- (b) similarity of assessments of general damages awarded by courts for different types of injury that have a similar level of adverse impact on an injured person.","sortOrder":1},{"sectionNumber":"sch.2-pt.2","sectionType":"part","heading":"How to use sch 3","content":"# How to use sch 3","sortOrder":2},{"sectionNumber":"sch.2-pt.2-div.1","sectionType":"division","heading":"Injury","content":"## Injury","sortOrder":3},{"sectionNumber":"sch.2-sec.2","sectionType":"section","heading":"Injury mentioned in sch 3","content":"### sch.2-sec.2 Injury mentioned in sch 3\n\nIn assessing the ISV for an injury mentioned in the injury column of schedule 3 , a court must consider the range of ISVs stated in schedule 3 for the injury.\nThe range of ISVs for the injury reflects the level of adverse impact of the injury on the injured person.\n(sch.2-sec.2-ssec.1) In assessing the ISV for an injury mentioned in the injury column of schedule 3 , a court must consider the range of ISVs stated in schedule 3 for the injury.\n(sch.2-sec.2-ssec.2) The range of ISVs for the injury reflects the level of adverse impact of the injury on the injured person.","sortOrder":4},{"sectionNumber":"sch.2-sec.3","sectionType":"section","heading":"Multiple injuries","content":"### sch.2-sec.3 Multiple injuries\n\nSubject to section 4 , in assessing the ISV for multiple injuries, a court must consider the range of ISVs for the dominant injury of the multiple injuries.\nTo reflect the level of adverse impact of multiple injuries on an injured person, the court may assess the ISV for the multiple injuries as being higher in the range of ISVs for the dominant injury of the multiple injuries than the ISV the court would assess for the dominant injury only.\n(sch.2-sec.3-ssec.1) Subject to section 4 , in assessing the ISV for multiple injuries, a court must consider the range of ISVs for the dominant injury of the multiple injuries.\n(sch.2-sec.3-ssec.2) To reflect the level of adverse impact of multiple injuries on an injured person, the court may assess the ISV for the multiple injuries as being higher in the range of ISVs for the dominant injury of the multiple injuries than the ISV the court would assess for the dominant injury only.","sortOrder":5},{"sectionNumber":"sch.2-sec.4","sectionType":"section","heading":"Multiple injuries and maximum dominant ISV inadequate","content":"### sch.2-sec.4 Multiple injuries and maximum dominant ISV inadequate\n\nThis section applies if a court considers the level of adverse impact of multiple injuries on an injured person is so severe that the maximum dominant ISV is inadequate to reflect the level of impact.\nTo reflect the level of impact, the court may make an assessment of the ISV for the multiple injuries that is higher than the maximum dominant ISV.\nHowever, the ISV for the multiple injuries—\nmust not be more than 100; and\nUnder section 61 (1) (a) of the Act , an ISV is assessed on a scale running from 0 to 100.\nshould rarely be more than 25% higher than the maximum dominant ISV.\nIf the increase is more than 25% of the maximum dominant ISV, the court must give detailed written reasons for the increase.\nIn this section—\nmaximum dominant ISV , in relation to multiple injuries, means the maximum ISV in the range for the dominant injury of the multiple injuries.\n(sch.2-sec.4-ssec.1) This section applies if a court considers the level of adverse impact of multiple injuries on an injured person is so severe that the maximum dominant ISV is inadequate to reflect the level of impact.\n(sch.2-sec.4-ssec.2) To reflect the level of impact, the court may make an assessment of the ISV for the multiple injuries that is higher than the maximum dominant ISV.\n(sch.2-sec.4-ssec.3) However, the ISV for the multiple injuries— must not be more than 100; and Under section 61 (1) (a) of the Act , an ISV is assessed on a scale running from 0 to 100. should rarely be more than 25% higher than the maximum dominant ISV.\n(sch.2-sec.4-ssec.4) If the increase is more than 25% of the maximum dominant ISV, the court must give detailed written reasons for the increase.\n(sch.2-sec.4-ssec.5) In this section— maximum dominant ISV , in relation to multiple injuries, means the maximum ISV in the range for the dominant injury of the multiple injuries.\n- (a) must not be more than 100; and Note— Under section 61 (1) (a) of the Act , an ISV is assessed on a scale running from 0 to 100.\n- (b) should rarely be more than 25% higher than the maximum dominant ISV.","sortOrder":6},{"sectionNumber":"sch.2-sec.5","sectionType":"section","heading":"Adverse psychological reaction","content":"### sch.2-sec.5 Adverse psychological reaction\n\nThis section applies if a court is assessing an ISV where an injured person has an adverse psychological reaction to a physical injury.\nThe court must treat the adverse psychological reaction merely as a feature of the injury.\n(sch.2-sec.5-ssec.1) This section applies if a court is assessing an ISV where an injured person has an adverse psychological reaction to a physical injury.\n(sch.2-sec.5-ssec.2) The court must treat the adverse psychological reaction merely as a feature of the injury.","sortOrder":7},{"sectionNumber":"sch.2-sec.6","sectionType":"section","heading":"Mental disorder","content":"### sch.2-sec.6 Mental disorder\n\nThis section applies if—\na court is assessing an ISV; and\na PIRS rating for a mental disorder of an injured person is relevant under schedule 3 .\nThe PIRS rating for the mental disorder of the injured person is the PIRS rating accepted by the court.\nA PIRS rating is capable of being accepted by the court only if it is—\nassessed by a medical expert as required under schedules 4 and 5 ; and\nprovided to the court in a PIRS report as required under schedule 4 , section 12 .\n(sch.2-sec.6-ssec.1) This section applies if— a court is assessing an ISV; and a PIRS rating for a mental disorder of an injured person is relevant under schedule 3 .\n(sch.2-sec.6-ssec.2) The PIRS rating for the mental disorder of the injured person is the PIRS rating accepted by the court.\n(sch.2-sec.6-ssec.3) A PIRS rating is capable of being accepted by the court only if it is— assessed by a medical expert as required under schedules 4 and 5 ; and provided to the court in a PIRS report as required under schedule 4 , section 12 .\n- (a) a court is assessing an ISV; and\n- (b) a PIRS rating for a mental disorder of an injured person is relevant under schedule 3 .\n- (a) assessed by a medical expert as required under schedules 4 and 5 ; and\n- (b) provided to the court in a PIRS report as required under schedule 4 , section 12 .","sortOrder":8},{"sectionNumber":"sch.2-sec.7","sectionType":"section","heading":"Aggravation of pre-existing condition","content":"### sch.2-sec.7 Aggravation of pre-existing condition\n\nThis section applies if an injured person has a pre-existing condition that is aggravated by an injury for which a court is assessing an ISV.\nIn considering the impact of the aggravation of the pre-existing condition, the court may have regard only to the extent to which the pre-existing condition has been made worse by the injury.\n(sch.2-sec.7-ssec.1) This section applies if an injured person has a pre-existing condition that is aggravated by an injury for which a court is assessing an ISV.\n(sch.2-sec.7-ssec.2) In considering the impact of the aggravation of the pre-existing condition, the court may have regard only to the extent to which the pre-existing condition has been made worse by the injury.","sortOrder":9},{"sectionNumber":"sch.2-pt.2-div.2","sectionType":"division","heading":"Other matters","content":"## Other matters","sortOrder":10},{"sectionNumber":"sch.2-sec.8","sectionType":"section","heading":"Court must have regard to particular provisions of sch 3","content":"### sch.2-sec.8 Court must have regard to particular provisions of sch 3\n\nIn addition to providing ranges of ISVs for particular injuries, schedule 3 sets out provisions relevant to using schedule 3 to assess an ISV for particular injuries.\nexamples of the injury\nexamples of factors affecting ISV assessment\ncomments about appropriate level of ISV\nIn assessing an ISV, a court must have regard to those provisions to the extent they are relevant in a particular case.\nThe fact that schedule 3 provides examples of factors affecting an ISV assessment is not intended to discourage a court from having regard to other factors it considers are relevant in a particular case.\n(sch.2-sec.8-ssec.1) In addition to providing ranges of ISVs for particular injuries, schedule 3 sets out provisions relevant to using schedule 3 to assess an ISV for particular injuries. examples of the injury examples of factors affecting ISV assessment comments about appropriate level of ISV\n(sch.2-sec.8-ssec.2) In assessing an ISV, a court must have regard to those provisions to the extent they are relevant in a particular case.\n(sch.2-sec.8-ssec.3) The fact that schedule 3 provides examples of factors affecting an ISV assessment is not intended to discourage a court from having regard to other factors it considers are relevant in a particular case.\n- • examples of the injury\n- • examples of factors affecting ISV assessment\n- • comments about appropriate level of ISV","sortOrder":11},{"sectionNumber":"sch.2-sec.9","sectionType":"section","heading":"Court may have regard to other matters","content":"### sch.2-sec.9 Court may have regard to other matters\n\nIn assessing an ISV, a court may have regard to other matters to the extent they are relevant in a particular case.\nthe injured person’s age, degree of insight, life expectancy, pain, suffering and loss of amenities of life\nthe effects of a pre-existing condition of the injured person\ndifficulties in life likely to have emerged for the injured person whether or not the injury happened\nin assessing an ISV for multiple injuries, the range for, and other provisions of schedule 3 in relation to, an injury other than the dominant injury of the multiple injuries\n- • the injured person’s age, degree of insight, life expectancy, pain, suffering and loss of amenities of life\n- • the effects of a pre-existing condition of the injured person\n- • difficulties in life likely to have emerged for the injured person whether or not the injury happened\n- • in assessing an ISV for multiple injuries, the range for, and other provisions of schedule 3 in relation to, an injury other than the dominant injury of the multiple injuries","sortOrder":12},{"sectionNumber":"sch.2-sec.10","sectionType":"section","heading":"Whole person impairment","content":"### sch.2-sec.10 Whole person impairment\n\nThe extent of whole person impairment is an important consideration, but not the only consideration, affecting the assessment of an ISV.","sortOrder":13},{"sectionNumber":"sch.2-sec.11","sectionType":"section","heading":"Medical report stating whole person impairment percentage","content":"### sch.2-sec.11 Medical report stating whole person impairment percentage\n\nIf a medical report states a whole person impairment percentage, it must state how the percentage is decided, including—\nthe clinical findings; and\nhow the impairment is calculated; and\nif the percentage is based on criteria provided under AMA 5—\nthe provisions of AMA 5 setting out the criteria; and\nif a range of percentages is available under AMA 5 for an injury of the type being assessed—the reason for assessing the injury at the selected point in the range.\nHowever, the medical report must not identify—\nan item in schedule 3 to which the injury belongs; or\nan ISV for the injury.\nFor requirements about tendering a medical report into evidence in a proceeding for a claim for personal injury damages, see the Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 1999 , chapter 11 , part 5 .\n(sch.2-sec.11-ssec.1) If a medical report states a whole person impairment percentage, it must state how the percentage is decided, including— the clinical findings; and how the impairment is calculated; and if the percentage is based on criteria provided under AMA 5— the provisions of AMA 5 setting out the criteria; and if a range of percentages is available under AMA 5 for an injury of the type being assessed—the reason for assessing the injury at the selected point in the range.\n(sch.2-sec.11-ssec.2) However, the medical report must not identify— an item in schedule 3 to which the injury belongs; or an ISV for the injury. For requirements about tendering a medical report into evidence in a proceeding for a claim for personal injury damages, see the Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 1999 , chapter 11 , part 5 .\n- (a) the clinical findings; and\n- (b) how the impairment is calculated; and\n- (c) if the percentage is based on criteria provided under AMA 5— (i) the provisions of AMA 5 setting out the criteria; and (ii) if a range of percentages is available under AMA 5 for an injury of the type being assessed—the reason for assessing the injury at the selected point in the range.\n- (i) the provisions of AMA 5 setting out the criteria; and\n- (ii) if a range of percentages is available under AMA 5 for an injury of the type being assessed—the reason for assessing the injury at the selected point in the range.\n- (i) the provisions of AMA 5 setting out the criteria; and\n- (ii) if a range of percentages is available under AMA 5 for an injury of the type being assessed—the reason for assessing the injury at the selected point in the range.\n- (a) an item in schedule 3 to which the injury belongs; or\n- (b) an ISV for the injury. Note— For requirements about tendering a medical report into evidence in a proceeding for a claim for personal injury damages, see the Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 1999 , chapter 11 , part 5 .","sortOrder":14},{"sectionNumber":"sch.2-sec.12","sectionType":"section","heading":"Greater weight to assessments based on AMA 5","content":"### sch.2-sec.12 Greater weight to assessments based on AMA 5\n\nThis section does not apply to a medical assessment of scarring or of a mental disorder.\nIn assessing an ISV, a court must give greater weight to a medical assessment of a whole person impairment percentage based on the criteria for the assessment of whole person impairment provided under AMA 5 than to a medical assessment of a whole person impairment percentage not based on the criteria.\n(sch.2-sec.12-ssec.1) This section does not apply to a medical assessment of scarring or of a mental disorder.\n(sch.2-sec.12-ssec.2) In assessing an ISV, a court must give greater weight to a medical assessment of a whole person impairment percentage based on the criteria for the assessment of whole person impairment provided under AMA 5 than to a medical assessment of a whole person impairment percentage not based on the criteria.","sortOrder":15},{"sectionNumber":"sch.2-sec.13","sectionType":"section","heading":"Greater weight to assessments of PIRS rating","content":"### sch.2-sec.13 Greater weight to assessments of PIRS rating\n\nIn assessing an ISV, a court must give greater weight to a PIRS report provided as required under schedule 4 than to another medical assessment of the permanent impairment caused by a mental disorder.","sortOrder":16},{"sectionNumber":"sch.2-sec.14","sectionType":"section","heading":"ISV must be a whole number","content":"### sch.2-sec.14 ISV must be a whole number\n\nAn ISV assessed by a court must be a whole number.\nUnder section 61 (1) (a) of the Act , an ISV is assessed on a scale running from 0 to 100.","sortOrder":17},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-pt","sectionType":"part","heading":null,"content":"","sortOrder":18},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-pt.1","sectionType":"part","heading":"Central nervous system and head injuries","content":"# Central nervous system and head injuries","sortOrder":19},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Quadriplegia","content":"### sch.3-sec.1 Quadriplegia\n\nExamples of factors affecting ISV assessment\n75 to 100\npresence and extent of pain\nextent of any residual movement\ndegree of insight\nadverse psychological reaction\nlevel of function and pre-existing function\ndegree of independence\nability to participate in daily activities, including employment\npresence and extent of secondary medical complications\nComment about appropriate level of ISV\nAn ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate only if the injured person has assisted ventilation, full insight, extreme physical limitation and gross impairment of ability to communicate.","sortOrder":20},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.2","sectionType":"section","heading":"Paraplegia","content":"### sch.3-sec.2 Paraplegia\n\nExamples of factors affecting ISV assessment\n60 to 80\npresence and extent of pain\nextent of any residual movement\nadverse psychological reaction\nlevel of function and pre-existing function\ndegree of independence\nability to participate in daily activities, including employment\nloss of reproductive or sexual function\nbowel or bladder incontinence\npresence and extent of secondary medical complications","sortOrder":21},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.3","sectionType":"section","heading":"Hemiplegia or severe paralysis of more than 1 limb","content":"### sch.3-sec.3 Hemiplegia or severe paralysis of more than 1 limb\n\nComment\nIncomplete paralysis causing whole person impairment of less than 40% must be assessed under part 6 if it is the only injury or the dominant injury of multiple injuries.\nExamples of factors affecting ISV assessment for item 3\nThe same examples apply as for item 2.\n3.1\nComplete or nearly complete paralysis\n60 to 80\n3.2\nOther paralysis, causing whole person impairment of at least 40%\n45 to 60","sortOrder":22},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.4","sectionType":"section","heading":"Monoplegia","content":"### sch.3-sec.4 Monoplegia\n\nComment\nSee items 5, 6 and 7 and part 6 .","sortOrder":23},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.5","sectionType":"section","heading":"Extreme brain injury","content":"### sch.3-sec.5 Extreme brain injury\n\nComment\nThe injury will involve major trauma to the brain with severe permanent impairment.\n5.1\nSubstantial insight remaining\n71 to 100\nComment about appropriate level of ISV for item 5.1\nAn ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate only if the injured person needs full-time nursing care and has the following—\nsubstantial insight despite gross disturbance of brain function\nsignificant physical limitation and destruction of pre-existing lifestyle\nepileptic seizures\ndouble incontinence\nlittle or no language function\nlittle or no meaningful response to environment.\nAn injured person with an injury for which an ISV at or near the top of the range is appropriate may have some ability to follow basic commands, recovery of eye opening, return of postural reflex movement and return to pre-existing sleep patterns.\nExamples of factors affecting ISV assessment for item 5.1\ndegree of insight\nlife expectancy\nextent of bodily impairment\n5.2\nSubstantially reduced insight\nComment for items 5.2.1 and 5.2.2\nThe injured person will have major trauma to the brain with severe permanent impairment.\nThe injured person’s insight of their condition may change.\nInsight may be impaired in the degree, or continuity of, appreciation of the injured person’s condition.\nExamples of factors affecting ISV assessment for items 5.2.1 and 5.2.2\nThe same examples apply as for an item 5.1 injury, but reducing levels of insight progressively reduce the level of suffering and the appropriate level of ISV.\n5.2.1\nThe injured person will have partial or complete insight (as evidenced by appropriate responses to physical or emotional stimuli) for not more than half of the person’s waking hours.\n36 to 70\n5.2.2\nThe injured person will have infrequent periods of partial insight and will show unreliable, rare or limited responses to physical or emotional stimuli.\n16 to 35\n5.3\nGrossly reduced insight\n10 to 15\nComment for item 5.3\nThe injured person will be in a persistent vegetative state and have little or no insight.\nComment about appropriate level of ISV for item 5.3\nIf some minor awareness of loss remains, an ISV at or near the top of the range may be appropriate.","sortOrder":24},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.6","sectionType":"section","heading":"Serious brain injury","content":"### sch.3-sec.6 Serious brain injury\n\nComment\n56 to 70\nThe injured person will be very seriously disabled.\nExample of the injury\nserious brain damage causing—\nphysical impairment, for example, limb paralysis; or\ncognitive impairment with marked impairment of intellect and personality\nExamples of factors affecting ISV assessment\ndegree of insight\nlife expectancy\nextent of physical limitations\nextent of cognitive limitations\nextent of sensory limitation, for example, limitation of hearing or sense of taste or smell\nlevel of function and pre-existing function\ndegree of independence\nability to communicate\nbehavioural or psychological changes\nepilepsy or a high risk of epilepsy\npresence of and extent of secondary medical complications\nComment about appropriate level of ISV\nAn ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate only if the injured person substantially depends on others and needs substantial professional and other care.","sortOrder":25},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.7","sectionType":"section","heading":"Moderate brain injury","content":"### sch.3-sec.7 Moderate brain injury\n\nComment\n21 to 55\nThe injured person will be seriously disabled, but the degree of the injured person’s dependence on others, although still present, is lower than for an item 6 injury.\nExamples of factors affecting ISV assessment\ndegree of insight\nlife expectancy\nextent of physical limitations\nextent of cognitive limitations\nextent of sensory limitation, for example, limitation of hearing or sense of taste or smell\nlevel of function and pre-existing function\ndegree of independence\nability to communicate\nbehavioural or psychological changes\nepilepsy or a high risk of epilepsy\npresence of, and extent of, secondary medical complications\nComment about appropriate level of ISV\nAn ISV of 21 to 25 will be appropriate if there is reduced concentration and memory, or reduced mood control, and either or both—\nreduced capacity for employment\na noticeable interference with lifestyle and leisure.\nAn ISV of 26 to 40 will be appropriate if there is an increased risk of epilepsy and either or both—\na moderate cognitive impairment\nloss of, or greatly reduced capacity for, employment.\nAn ISV of 41 to 55 will be appropriate if there is no capacity for employment, and 1 or more of the following—\nmoderate to severe cognitive impairment\nmarked personality change\ndramatic effect on speech, sight or other senses\nepilepsy or a high risk of epilepsy.","sortOrder":26},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.8","sectionType":"section","heading":"Minor brain injury","content":"### sch.3-sec.8 Minor brain injury\n\nComment\n6 to 20\nThe injured person will make a good recovery and be able to take part in normal social life and to return to work. There may be minor problems persisting that prevent a restoration of normal function.\nExamples of factors affecting ISV assessment\nseverity of any physical injury causing the brain damage, having regard to—\nany medical assessment made immediately after the injury was caused, for example, CT or MRI scans, an ambulance officer’s assessment or hospital emergency unit assessment; and\nany post-traumatic amnesia\nextent of any ongoing, and possibly permanent, disability\nextent of any personality change\ndepression\ndegree of insight\nlife expectancy\nextent of physical limitations\nextent of cognitive limitations\nextent of sensory limitation, for example, limitation of hearing or sense of taste or smell\nlevel of function and pre-existing function\ndegree of independence\nability to communicate\nbehavioural or psychological changes\nepilepsy or a high risk of epilepsy\npresence of, and extent of, secondary medical complications\nComment about appropriate level of ISV\nAn ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if the injured person has—\nan increased risk of epilepsy; and\nongoing reduced concentration and memory, or reduced mood control, that does not significantly interfere with the person’s ability to take part in normal social life or return to work.","sortOrder":27},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.9","sectionType":"section","heading":"Minor head injury, other than an injury mentioned in pt 3","content":"### sch.3-sec.9 Minor head injury, other than an injury mentioned in pt 3\n\nComment\n0 to 5\nBrain damage, if any, is minimal.\nExamples of the injury\nuncomplicated skull fracture\nconcussion with transitory loss of consciousness and no residual effect\nExamples of factors affecting ISV assessment\nseverity of any physical injury causing brain damage\nlength of time to recover from any symptoms\nextent of ongoing symptoms\npresence of, or absence of, headaches\nComment about appropriate level of ISV\nAn ISV at or near the bottom of the range will be appropriate for an injury from which the injured person fully recovers within a few weeks.\nAn ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if there is an uncomplicated skull fracture and there are associated concussive symptoms of dizziness, headache and memory loss persisting for less than 6 months.","sortOrder":28},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-pt.2","sectionType":"part","heading":"Mental disorders","content":"# Mental disorders","sortOrder":29},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec","sectionType":"section","heading":null,"content":"### Section sch.3-sec\n\nGeneral comment for items 10 to 13\nThis part includes references to ratings on the psychiatric impairment rating scale stated in schedule 5 ( PIRS ratings ). Under schedule 2 , section 6 of this regulation, a PIRS rating is capable of being accepted by a court only if it is assessed by a medical expert as required under schedules 4 and 5 and provided to the court in a PIRS report.\nExamples of factors affecting ISV assessment for items 10 to 13\nPIRS rating\ndegree of insight\nage and life expectancy\npain and suffering\nloss of amenities of life\nlikelihood difficulties would have emerged in any event\nif there is extreme psychological trauma, for example, intense helplessness or horror, the immediate adverse psychological reaction","sortOrder":30},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.10","sectionType":"section","heading":"Extreme mental disorder","content":"### sch.3-sec.10 Extreme mental disorder\n\nExample of the injury\n41 to 65\na mental disorder with a PIRS rating between 31% and 100%\nComment about appropriate level of ISV\nDespite a very high PIRS rating, an ISV at or near the bottom of the range may be appropriate if the injured person has reduced insight.","sortOrder":31},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.11","sectionType":"section","heading":"Serious mental disorder","content":"### sch.3-sec.11 Serious mental disorder\n\nExample of the injury\n11 to 40\na mental disorder with a PIRS rating between 11% and 30%","sortOrder":32},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.12","sectionType":"section","heading":"Moderate mental disorder","content":"### sch.3-sec.12 Moderate mental disorder\n\nComment\n2 to 10\nThere is generally only moderate impairment.\nExample of the injury\na mental disorder with a PIRS rating between 4% and 10%","sortOrder":33},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.13","sectionType":"section","heading":"Minor mental disorder","content":"### sch.3-sec.13 Minor mental disorder\n\nComment\n0 to 1\nFor many persons who have suffered the injury there will be little or no impact on their lives.\nExample of the injury\na mental disorder with a PIRS rating between 0% and 3%","sortOrder":34},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-pt.3","sectionType":"part","heading":"Facial injuries","content":"# Facial injuries","sortOrder":35},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-pt.3-div.1","sectionType":"division","heading":"Skeletal injuries of the facial area","content":"## Skeletal injuries of the facial area","sortOrder":36},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec-oc.2","sectionType":"section","heading":null,"content":"### Section sch.3-sec-oc.2\n\nExamples of factors affecting ISV assessment for items 14 to 22\nextent of skeletal or functional damage\ndegree of cosmetic damage or disfigurement\nadverse psychological reaction\navailability of cosmetic repair","sortOrder":37},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.14","sectionType":"section","heading":"Extreme facial injury","content":"### sch.3-sec.14 Extreme facial injury\n\nComment\n26 to 45\nThe injury will involve severe traumatic injury to the face requiring substantial reconstructive surgery.\nExamples of the injury\na Le Fort I fracture or Le Fort II fracture if the degree of incapacity and disfigurement after reconstructive surgery will be very severe\na Le Fort III fracture causing incapacity in daily activities\nLe Fort I fracture, Le Fort II fracture and Le Fort III fracture are defined in schedule 6 .\nAdditional example of factor affecting ISV assessment\nthe extent of any neurological impairment or effect on the airway","sortOrder":38},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.15","sectionType":"section","heading":"Serious facial injury","content":"### sch.3-sec.15 Serious facial injury\n\nComment\n14 to 25\nThe injury will involve serious traumatic injury to the face requiring reconstructive surgery that is not substantial.\nExamples of the injury\na Le Fort I fracture or Le Fort II fracture if the degree of incapacity and disfigurement after reconstructive surgery will not be very severe\na Le Fort III fracture if no serious deformity will remain after reconstructive surgery\na serious or multiple fracture of the nasal complex either or both—\nrequiring more than 1 operation; and\ncausing 1 or more of the following—\npermanent damage to the airway\npermanent damage to nerves or tear ducts\nfacial deformity\na serious cheekbone fracture that will require surgery and cause serious disfigurement and permanent effects despite reconstructive surgery, for example, hyperaesthesia or paraesthesia\na very serious multiple jaw fracture that will—\nrequire prolonged treatment; and\ndespite reconstructive surgery, cause permanent effects, for example, severe pain, restriction in eating, paraesthesia or a risk of arthritis in the joints\na severed trunk of the facial nerve (7th cranial nerve), causing total paralysis of facial muscles on 1 side of the face\nAdditional examples of factors affecting ISV assessment\nany neurological impairment or effect on the airway\npermanent cosmetic deformity\nComment about appropriate level of ISV\nAn ISV at or near the bottom of the range will be appropriate if the injury causes permanent cosmetic deformity, asymmetry of 1 side of the face and limited adverse psychological reaction.\nAn ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if the injury causes serious bilateral deformity and significant adverse psychological reaction.","sortOrder":39},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.16","sectionType":"section","heading":"Moderate facial injury","content":"### sch.3-sec.16 Moderate facial injury\n\nExamples of the injury\n6 to 13\na simple cheekbone fracture, requiring minor reconstructive surgery, from which the injured person will fully recover with little or no cosmetic damage\na fracture of the jaw causing—\npermanent effects, for example, difficulty in opening the mouth or in eating; or\nhyperaesthesia or paraesthesia in the area of the fracture\na displaced fracture of the nasal complex from which the injured person will almost fully recover after surgery\nsevered branches of the facial nerve (7th cranial nerve) with paralysis of some of the facial muscles\na severed sensory nerve of the face with minor permanent paraesthesia","sortOrder":40},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.17","sectionType":"section","heading":"Minor facial injury","content":"### sch.3-sec.17 Minor facial injury\n\nExamples of the injury\n0 to 5\na simple cheekbone fracture, for which surgery is not required and from which the injured person will fully recover\na simple jaw fracture, requiring immobilisation and from which the injured person will fully recover\na stable fracture of the joint process of the jaw\na displaced fracture of the nasal complex requiring only manipulation\na simple undisplaced fracture of the nasal complex, from which the injured person will fully recover\na severed sensory nerve of the face, with good repair causing minimal or no paraesthesia","sortOrder":41},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.18","sectionType":"section","heading":"Injury to teeth or gums","content":"### sch.3-sec.18 Injury to teeth or gums\n\nComment\nThere will generally have been a course of treatment as a result of the injury.\nAdditional examples of factors affecting ISV assessment\nextent and degree of discomfort during treatment\ndifficulty with eating\nComment about appropriate level of ISV\nIf protracted dentistry causes the injury, the ISV may be higher than the ISV for the same injury caused by something else.\n18.1\nLoss of or serious damage to more than 3 teeth, serious gum injury or serious gum infection\n6 to 10\n18.2\nLoss of or serious damage to 2 or 3 teeth, moderate gum injury or moderate gum infection\n3 to 5\n18.3\nLoss of or serious damage to 1 tooth, minor gum injury or minor gum infection\n0 to 2","sortOrder":42},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-pt.3-div.2","sectionType":"division","heading":"Scarring to the face","content":"## Scarring to the face","sortOrder":43},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec-oc.3","sectionType":"section","heading":null,"content":"### Section sch.3-sec-oc.3\n\nGeneral comment for items 19 to 22\nThis division will usually apply to an injury involving skeletal damage only if the skeletal damage is minor.","sortOrder":44},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.19","sectionType":"section","heading":"Extreme facial scarring","content":"### sch.3-sec.19 Extreme facial scarring\n\nExamples of the injury\n21 to 45\nwidespread area scarring, for example, over the side of the face or another whole area\nsevere contour deformity\nsignificant deformity of the mouth or eyelids with muscle paralysis or tic\nComment about appropriate level of ISV\nAn ISV in the upper half of the range may be appropriate if the injured person is relatively young, the cosmetic damage is very disfiguring and the adverse psychological reaction is severe.\nAn ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if the injury is caused by burns that resulted in loss of the entire nose, eyelids or ears.","sortOrder":45},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.20","sectionType":"section","heading":"Serious facial scarring","content":"### sch.3-sec.20 Serious facial scarring\n\nExamples of the injury\n11 to 20\nsubstantial disfigurement and significant adverse psychological reaction\nsevere linear scarring\ndiscoloured hypertrophic (keloid) scarring\natrophic scarring\nserious contour defects","sortOrder":46},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.21","sectionType":"section","heading":"Moderate facial scarring","content":"### sch.3-sec.21 Moderate facial scarring\n\nComment\n6 to 10\nAny adverse psychological reaction is small, or having been considerable at the outset, has greatly diminished.\nExamples of the injury\nscarring, the worst effects of which will be reduced by plastic surgery that will leave minor cosmetic damage\nscars crossing lines of election with discoloured, indurated, hypertrophic or atrophic scarring, of moderate severity","sortOrder":47},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.22","sectionType":"section","heading":"Minor facial scarring","content":"### sch.3-sec.22 Minor facial scarring\n\nExamples of the injury\n0 to 5\na single scar able to be camouflaged\nmore than 1 very small scar if the overall effect of the scars is to mar, but not to markedly affect, appearance and adverse psychological reaction is minor\nalmost invisible linear scarring, in lines of election, with normal texture and elevation","sortOrder":48},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-pt.4","sectionType":"part","heading":"Injuries affecting the senses","content":"# Injuries affecting the senses","sortOrder":49},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-pt.4-div.1","sectionType":"division","heading":"General comment","content":"## General comment","sortOrder":50},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec-oc.4","sectionType":"section","heading":null,"content":"### Section sch.3-sec-oc.4\n\nGeneral comment for items 23 to 35\nInjuries mentioned in this part are commonly symptoms of brain or nervous system injury.","sortOrder":51},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-pt.4-div.2","sectionType":"division","heading":"Injuries affecting the eyes","content":"## Injuries affecting the eyes","sortOrder":52},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.23","sectionType":"section","heading":"Total sight and hearing impairment","content":"### sch.3-sec.23 Total sight and hearing impairment\n\nComment\n90 to 100\nThe injury ranks with the most devastating injuries.\nExamples of factors affecting ISV assessment\ndegree of insight\nage and life expectancy","sortOrder":53},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.24","sectionType":"section","heading":"Total sight impairment","content":"### sch.3-sec.24 Total sight impairment\n\nExamples of factors affecting ISV assessment\n50 to 80\ndegree of insight\nage and life expectancy","sortOrder":54},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.25","sectionType":"section","heading":"Complete sight impairment in 1 eye with reduced vision in the other eye","content":"### sch.3-sec.25 Complete sight impairment in 1 eye with reduced vision in the other eye\n\nComment about appropriate level of ISV\n25 to 50\nAn ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if there is serious risk of further significant deterioration in the remaining eye.","sortOrder":55},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.26","sectionType":"section","heading":"Complete sight impairment in 1 eye or total loss of 1 eye","content":"### sch.3-sec.26 Complete sight impairment in 1 eye or total loss of 1 eye\n\nExamples of factors affecting ISV assessment\n26 to 30\nthe extent to which the injured person’s activities are adversely affected by the impairment or loss\nassociated scarring or cosmetic damage\nComment about appropriate level of ISV\nAn ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if there is a minor risk of sympathetic ophthalmia.","sortOrder":56},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.27","sectionType":"section","heading":"Serious eye injury","content":"### sch.3-sec.27 Serious eye injury\n\nExamples of the injury\n11 to 25\na serious but incomplete loss of vision in 1 eye without significant risk of loss or reduction of vision in the other eye\nan injury causing double vision that is not minor and intermittent","sortOrder":57},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.28","sectionType":"section","heading":"Moderate eye injury","content":"### sch.3-sec.28 Moderate eye injury\n\nExample of the injury\n6 to 10\nminor but permanent impairment of vision in 1 eye, including if there is double vision that is minor and intermittent","sortOrder":58},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.29","sectionType":"section","heading":"Minor eye injury","content":"### sch.3-sec.29 Minor eye injury\n\nExample of the injury\n0 to 5\na minor injury, for example, from being struck in the eye, exposed to smoke or other fumes or being splashed by liquids—\ncausing initial pain and temporary interference with vision; and\nfrom which the injured person will fully recover within a relatively short time","sortOrder":59},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-pt.4-div.3","sectionType":"division","heading":"Injuries affecting the ears","content":"## Injuries affecting the ears","sortOrder":60},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec-oc.5","sectionType":"section","heading":null,"content":"### Section sch.3-sec-oc.5\n\nComment for items 30 to 33\nThe injuries commonly, but not always, involve hearing loss. If the injury is to a single ear, the binaural loss must be assessed.\nExamples of factors affecting ISV assessment for item 30 to 33 injuries\nwhether the injury has an immediate effect, allowing the injured person no opportunity to adapt, or whether it occurred over a period of time, for example, from exposure to noise\nwhether the injury was suffered at an early age so that it has affected or will affect speech\nwhether the injury will affect balance\nthe extent to which former activities will be affected\npresence of tinnitus","sortOrder":61},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.30","sectionType":"section","heading":"Extreme ear injury","content":"### sch.3-sec.30 Extreme ear injury\n\nDefinition of injury\n36 to 55\nThe injury involves a binaural hearing loss of at least 80%.\nAdditional examples of factors affecting ISV assessment\nassociated problems, for example, severe tinnitus, moderate vertigo, a moderate vestibular disturbance or headaches\navailability of hearing aids or other devices that may reduce the hearing loss\nComment about appropriate level of ISV\nAn ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if the injury happened at an early age so as to prevent or to seriously affect the development of normal speech.","sortOrder":62},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.31","sectionType":"section","heading":"Serious ear injury","content":"### sch.3-sec.31 Serious ear injury\n\nDefinition of injury\n26 to 35\nThe injury involves—\na binaural hearing loss of at least 50% but less than 80%; or\nsevere permanent vestibular disturbance.\nComment about appropriate level of ISV\nAn ISV in the lower half of the range will be appropriate if there is no speech impairment or tinnitus.\nAn ISV in the upper half of the range will be appropriate if there is speech impairment and tinnitus.","sortOrder":63},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.32","sectionType":"section","heading":"Moderate ear injury","content":"### sch.3-sec.32 Moderate ear injury\n\nDefinition of injury\n11 to 25\nThe injury involves—\na binaural hearing loss of at least 20% but less than 50%; or\nsignificant permanent vestibular disturbance.\nComment about appropriate level of ISV\nAn ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if there are problems associated with the injury, for example, severe tinnitus, moderate vertigo, a moderate vestibular disturbance or headaches.","sortOrder":64},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.33","sectionType":"section","heading":"Minor ear injury","content":"### sch.3-sec.33 Minor ear injury\n\nDefinition of injury\nThe injury involves a binaural hearing loss of less than 20%.\nComment\nThis item covers the bulk of hearing impairment cases.\nThe injury is not to be judged simply by the degree of hearing loss.\nThere will often be a degree of tinnitus present.\nThere may also be minor vertigo or a minor vestibular disturbance causing loss of balance.\nA vestibular disturbance may increase the level of ISV.\n33.1\nModerate tinnitus or hearing loss, or both\n6 to 10\n33.2\nMild tinnitus with some hearing loss\n4 to 5\n33.3\nSlight or occasional tinnitus with slight hearing loss or an occasional vestibular disturbance, or both\n0 to 3","sortOrder":65},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-pt.4-div.4","sectionType":"division","heading":"Impairment of taste or smell","content":"## Impairment of taste or smell","sortOrder":66},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.34","sectionType":"section","heading":"Total loss of taste or smell, or both","content":"### sch.3-sec.34 Total loss of taste or smell, or both\n\nComment about appropriate level of ISV\n6 to 9\nAn ISV at or near the bottom of the range will be appropriate if there will be a total loss of either taste or smell.\nAn ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if there will be a total loss of both taste and smell.","sortOrder":67},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.35","sectionType":"section","heading":"Partial loss of taste or smell, or both","content":"### sch.3-sec.35 Partial loss of taste or smell, or both\n\nComment about appropriate level of ISV\n0 to 5\nAn ISV at or near the bottom of the range will be appropriate if there will be a partial loss of either taste or smell.\nAn ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if there will be a partial loss of both taste and smell.","sortOrder":68},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-pt.5","sectionType":"part","heading":"Injuries to internal organs","content":"# Injuries to internal organs","sortOrder":69},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-pt.5-div.1","sectionType":"division","heading":"Chest injuries","content":"## Chest injuries","sortOrder":70},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec-oc.6","sectionType":"section","heading":null,"content":"### Section sch.3-sec-oc.6\n\nExample of factor affecting ISV assessment for items 36 to 39\nthe level of any reduction in the capacity for employment and enjoyment of life","sortOrder":71},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.36","sectionType":"section","heading":"Extreme chest injury","content":"### sch.3-sec.36 Extreme chest injury\n\nComment\n46 to 65\nThe injury will involve severe traumatic injury to the chest, or a large majority of the organs in the chest cavity, causing a high level of disability and ongoing medical problems.\nComment about appropriate level of ISV\nAn ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if there will be total removal of 1 lung or serious heart damage, or both, with serious and prolonged pain and suffering and significant permanent scarring.","sortOrder":72},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.37","sectionType":"section","heading":"Serious chest injury","content":"### sch.3-sec.37 Serious chest injury\n\nComment\n21 to 45\nThe injury will involve serious traumatic injury to the chest or organs in the chest cavity, causing serious disability and ongoing medical problems.\nExamples of the injury\na trauma to 1 or more of the following, causing permanent damage, physical disability and impairment of function—\nthe chest\nthe heart\n1 or both of the lungs\nthe diaphragm\nan injury that causes the need for oxygen therapy for about 16 to 18 hours a day\nExample of factors affecting ISV assessment\nthe need for a permanent tracheostomy\nComment about appropriate level of ISV\nAn ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if, after recovery, there are both of the following—\nserious impairment to cardio-pulmonary function;\nwhole person impairment for the injury of, or of nearly, 40%.","sortOrder":73},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.38","sectionType":"section","heading":"Moderate chest injury","content":"### sch.3-sec.38 Moderate chest injury\n\nExample of the injury\n11 to 20\nthe injury will involve serious traumatic injury to the chest or organs in the chest cavity, causing moderate disability and ongoing medical problems\nExamples of factors affecting ISV assessment\nduration and intensity of pain and suffering\nthe degree of permanent impairment of lung or cardiac function, as evidenced by objective test results\nthe need for a temporary tracheostomy for short-term airway management\nComment about appropriate level of ISV\nAn ISV at or near the bottom of the range will be appropriate if there will be the loss of a breast without significant adverse psychological reaction.\nAn ISV in the lower half of the range will be appropriate if there was a pneumothorax, or haemothorax, requiring intercostal catheter insertion.\nAn ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if there are multiple rib fractures causing—\na flail segment (flail chest) requiring mechanical ventilation in the acute stage; and\nmoderate permanent impairment of cardio-pulmonary function.","sortOrder":74},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.39","sectionType":"section","heading":"Minor chest injury","content":"### sch.3-sec.39 Minor chest injury\n\nExamples of factors affecting ISV assessment for items 39.1 and 39.2\ncomplexity of any fractures\nextent of injury to underlying organs\nextent of any disability\nduration and intensity of pain and suffering\n39.1\nComplicated or significant fracture, or internal organ injury, that substantially resolves\n5 to 10\nComment\nThe injury will involve significant or complicated fractures, or internal injuries, that cause some tissue damage but no significant long-term effect on organ function.\nExamples of the injury\nmultiple fractures of the ribs or sternum, or both, that may cause cardio-pulmonary contusion\ninternal injuries that cause some tissue damage but no significant long-term effect on organ function\nComment about appropriate level of ISV\nAn ISV at or near the bottom of the range will be appropriate if there is a fractured sternum that substantially resolves, and there is some ongoing pain and activity restriction.\nAn ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if the injury causes significant persisting pain and significant activity restriction.\n39.2\nSoft tissue injury, minor fracture or minor internal organ injury\n0 to 4\nComment\nThe injury will involve a soft tissue injury, minor fracture, or minor and non-permanent injury to internal organs.\nThere may be persistent pain from the chest, for example, from the chest wall or sternocostal or costochondral joints.\nExamples of the injury\na single penetrating wound, causing some tissue damage but no long-term effect on lung function\nan injury to the lungs caused by the inhalation of toxic fumes or smoke that will not permanently interfere with lung function\na soft tissue injury to the chest wall, for example, a laceration or serious seatbelt bruising\nfractured ribs or a minor fracture of the sternum causing serious pain and disability for weeks, without internal organ damage or permanent disability\nComment about appropriate level of ISV\nAn ISV at or near the bottom of the range will be appropriate if there is a soft tissue injury from which the injured person will fully recover.\nAn ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if there is an injury causing a small pneumothorax that does not require intercostal catheter insertion, and from which the injured person will fully recover.","sortOrder":75},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-pt.5-div.2","sectionType":"division","heading":"Lung injuries other than asthma","content":"## Lung injuries other than asthma","sortOrder":76},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec-oc.7","sectionType":"section","heading":null,"content":"### Section sch.3-sec-oc.7\n\nGeneral comment for items 40 to 43\nThe level of an ISV for lung disease often reflects the fact that the disease is worsening and there is a risk of the development of secondary medical consequences.\nExamples of factors affecting ISV assessment for items 40 to 43\na history of smoking tobacco will reduce the level of ISV\nadverse psychological reaction may increase the level of ISV","sortOrder":77},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.40","sectionType":"section","heading":"Extreme lung injury","content":"### sch.3-sec.40 Extreme lung injury\n\nExamples of the injury\n46 to 65\ndiagnosed lung cancer\nlung disease involving serious disability causing severe pain and dramatic impairment of function and quality of life\na recurrent pulmonary embolism resulting in failure of the right side of the heart requiring a lung transplant, heart transplant or both\nAdditional examples of factors affecting ISV assessment\nage\nlikelihood of progressive worsening\nduration and intensity of pain and suffering","sortOrder":78},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.41","sectionType":"section","heading":"Serious lung injury","content":"### sch.3-sec.41 Serious lung injury\n\n41.1\nSerious lung injury if progressive worsening of lung function\n25 to 45\nExample of item 41.1\nlung disease, for example, emphysema, causing—\nsignificantly reduced and worsening lung function\nprolonged and frequent coughing\ndisturbance of sleep\nrestriction of physical activity, employment and enjoyment of life\nAdditional examples of factors affecting ISV assessment for item 41.1\nthe possibility of lung cancer developing may increase the level of ISV\nthe need for continuous oxygen therapy\n41.2\nSerious lung injury if no progressive worsening of lung function\n11 to 24\nExamples of item 41.2\nlung disease causing breathing difficulties, short of disabling breathlessness, requiring frequent use of an inhaler\nlung disease causing a significant effect on employment and social life, including inability to tolerate a smoky environment, with an uncertain prognosis\na recurrent pulmonary embolism causing pulmonary hypertension and cor pulmonale","sortOrder":79},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.42","sectionType":"section","heading":"Moderate lung injury","content":"### sch.3-sec.42 Moderate lung injury\n\nExamples of the injury\n6 to 10\nbronchitis that does not cause serious symptoms, with little or no serious or permanent effect on employment or social life\na pulmonary embolism requiring anticoagulant therapy for at least 1 year or pulmonary endarterectomy","sortOrder":80},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.43","sectionType":"section","heading":"Minor lung injury","content":"### sch.3-sec.43 Minor lung injury\n\nExamples of the injury\n0 to 5\nlung disease causing slight breathlessness, with—\nno effect on employment; and\nthe likelihood of substantial and permanent recovery within a few years after the injury is caused\na pulmonary embolism requiring anticoagulant therapy for less than 1 year\nComment about appropriate level of ISV\nAn ISV at or near the bottom of the range will be appropriate if there is lung disease causing temporary aggravation of bronchitis, or other chest problems, that will resolve within a few months.","sortOrder":81},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-pt.5-div.3","sectionType":"division","heading":"Asthma","content":"## Asthma","sortOrder":82},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.44","sectionType":"section","heading":"Extreme asthma","content":"### sch.3-sec.44 Extreme asthma\n\nComment\n31 to 55\nThe most serious cases may confine a person to the home and destroy capacity for employment.\nExample of the injury\nsevere and permanent disabling asthma causing—\nprolonged and frequent coughing\ndisturbance of sleep\nsevere restriction of physical activity and enjoyment of life\ngross reduction of capacity for employment","sortOrder":83},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.45","sectionType":"section","heading":"Severe asthma","content":"### sch.3-sec.45 Severe asthma\n\nExample of the injury\n11 to 30\nchronic asthma, with a poor prognosis, causing—\nbreathing difficulties\nthe need to frequently use an inhaler\nsignificantly reduced capacity for employment","sortOrder":84},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.46","sectionType":"section","heading":"Moderate asthma","content":"### sch.3-sec.46 Moderate asthma\n\nExample of the injury\n6 to 10\nasthma, with symptoms that include bronchitis and wheezing, affecting employment or social life","sortOrder":85},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.47","sectionType":"section","heading":"Minor asthma","content":"### sch.3-sec.47 Minor asthma\n\nExample of the injury\n0 to 5\nasthma with minor symptoms that has no effect on employment or social life\nComment about appropriate level of ISV\nAn ISV at or near the bottom of the range will be appropriate if there is asthma treated by a general practitioner that will resolve within 1 year after the injury is caused.","sortOrder":86},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-pt.5-div.4","sectionType":"division","heading":"Injuries to male reproductive system","content":"## Injuries to male reproductive system","sortOrder":87},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec-oc.8","sectionType":"section","heading":null,"content":"### Section sch.3-sec-oc.8\n\nGeneral comment for items 48 to 51\nThis division applies to injuries caused by physical trauma rather than as a secondary result of a mental disorder.\nFor a mental disorder that causes loss of reproductive system function, see part 2 (Mental disorders).\nSterility is usually either—\ncaused by surgery, chemicals or disease; or\ncaused by a traumatic injury that is often aggravated by scarring.\nExamples of factors affecting ISV assessment for items 48 to 51\nadverse psychological reaction\neffect on social and domestic life","sortOrder":88},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.48","sectionType":"section","heading":"Impotence and sterility","content":"### sch.3-sec.48 Impotence and sterility\n\nAdditional examples of factors affecting ISV assessment\n5 to 37\nage\nwhether the injured person has children\nwhether the injured person intended to have children or more children\nComment about appropriate level of ISV\nAn ISV at or near the bottom of the range will be appropriate if the sterility has little impact.\nAn ISV in the lower half of the range will be appropriate if an injured person with children may have intended to have more children and has uncomplicated sterility, without impotence or any aggravating features.\nAn ISV in the upper half of the range will be appropriate if a young injured person without children has uncomplicated sterility, without impotence or any aggravating features.\nAn ISV at or near the middle of the range will be appropriate if a middle-aged injured person with children has sterility and permanent impotence.\nAn ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if a young injured person has total impotence and loss of sexual function and sterility.","sortOrder":89},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.49","sectionType":"section","heading":"Loss of part or all of penis","content":"### sch.3-sec.49 Loss of part or all of penis\n\nAdditional examples of factors affecting ISV assessment\n5 to 25\nextent of the penis remaining\navailability of a prosthesis\nextent to which sexual activity will be possible","sortOrder":90},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.50","sectionType":"section","heading":"Loss of both testicles","content":"### sch.3-sec.50 Loss of both testicles\n\nComment\nSee item 48 because sterility results.\nAdditional example of factor affecting ISV assessment\nlevel of any pain or residual scarring","sortOrder":91},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.51","sectionType":"section","heading":"Loss of 1 testicle","content":"### sch.3-sec.51 Loss of 1 testicle\n\nAdditional examples of factors affecting ISV assessment\n2 to 10\nage, cosmetic damage or scarring\nComment about appropriate level of ISV\nAn ISV at or near the bottom of the range will be appropriate if the injury does not reduce reproductive capacity.","sortOrder":92},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-pt.5-div.5","sectionType":"division","heading":"Injuries to female reproductive system","content":"## Injuries to female reproductive system","sortOrder":93},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec-oc.9","sectionType":"section","heading":null,"content":"### Section sch.3-sec-oc.9\n\nGeneral comment for items 52 to 54\nThis division applies to injuries caused by physical trauma rather than as a secondary result of a mental disorder.\nFor a mental disorder that causes loss of reproductive system function, see part 2 (Mental disorders).\nExamples of factors affecting ISV assessment for items 52 to 54\nextent of any physical trauma\nwhether the injured person has children\nwhether the injured person intended to have children or more children\nage\nscarring\ndepression or adverse psychological reaction\neffect on social and domestic life","sortOrder":94},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.52","sectionType":"section","heading":"Infertility","content":"### sch.3-sec.52 Infertility\n\n52.1\nInfertility causing severe effects\n16 to 35\nExample of item 52.1\ninfertility with severe depression, anxiety and pain\n52.2\nInfertility causing moderate effects\n9 to 15\nExample of item 52.2\ninfertility without any medical complication if the injured person has a child or children\nComment about appropriate level of ISV for item 52.2\nAn ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if there is significant adverse psychological reaction.\n52.3\nInfertility causing minor effects\n0 to 8\nExample of item 52.3\ninfertility if—\nthe injured person was unlikely to have had children, for example, because of age; and\nthere is little or no adverse psychological reaction","sortOrder":95},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.53","sectionType":"section","heading":"Any other injury to the female reproductive system","content":"### sch.3-sec.53 Any other injury to the female reproductive system\n\n53.1\nPost-menopausal hysterectomy\n5 to 15\n53.2\nFemale impotence\n5 to 15\nComment for item 53.2\nThe injury may be correctable by surgery.\nAdditional examples of factors affecting ISV assessment for item 53.2\nthe level of sexual function or the extent of any corrective surgery\n53.3\nAn injury causing an inability to give birth by normal vaginal delivery, for example, because of pelvic ring disruption or deformity\n4 to 15\nComment for item 53.3\nThe injury may be correctable by surgery.\n53.4\nInjury to female genitalia or reproductive organs, or both\n3 to 25\nComment about appropriate level of ISV for item 53.4\nAn ISV at or near the bottom of the range will be appropriate if there is a laceration or tear with good repair.\nAn ISV at or near the middle of the range will be appropriate if the injury causes development of a prolapse or fistula.\nAn ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if the injury causes the early onset of menopause or irregular hormonal activity.\n53.5\nReduced fertility, caused by, for example, trauma to ovaries or fallopian tubes\n3 to 8\nComment about appropriate level of ISV for item 53.5\nAn ISV in the lower half of the range will be appropriate if the injury is caused by a delay in diagnosis of an ectopic pregnancy.","sortOrder":96},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.54","sectionType":"section","heading":"Failed sterilisation leading to unwanted pregnancy","content":"### sch.3-sec.54 Failed sterilisation leading to unwanted pregnancy\n\n54.1\nIf no child is born and there is no serious adverse psychological reaction\n3 to 10\nComment for item 54.1\nFor a mental disorder, see part 2 (Mental disorders).\n54.2\nIf a child is born\n15 to 25\nComment about appropriate level of ISV for item 54.2\nAn ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if there is a difficult pregnancy or birth, or both, followed by medical problems, for example, post-natal depression.","sortOrder":97},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-pt.5-div.6","sectionType":"division","heading":"Injuries to digestive system","content":"## Injuries to digestive system","sortOrder":98},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.55","sectionType":"section","heading":"Extreme injury to the digestive system caused by trauma","content":"### sch.3-sec.55 Extreme injury to the digestive system caused by trauma\n\nExamples of the injury\n19 to 40\nsevere permanent damage to the digestive system, with ongoing debilitating pain and discomfort, diarrhoea, nausea and vomiting that—\nare not controllable by drugs; and\ncause weight loss of at least 20%\nDigestive system is defined in schedule 6 .\nan injury to the throat requiring a permanent gastrostomy\nComment about appropriate level of ISV\nAn ISV at or near the bottom of the range will be appropriate if there is an injury to the throat requiring a temporary gastrostomy for more than 1 year and permanent dietary changes, for example, a requirement for a soft food diet.\nAn ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if there is an injury to the throat requiring a permanent gastrostomy, with significant ongoing symptoms.\nExamples of factors affecting ISV assessment\nthe extent of any voice or speech impairment\nneed for ongoing endoscopic procedures","sortOrder":99},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.56","sectionType":"section","heading":"Serious injury to the digestive system caused by trauma","content":"### sch.3-sec.56 Serious injury to the digestive system caused by trauma\n\nExamples of the injury\n11 to 18\na serious injury causing long-term complications aggravated by physical strain\nan injury requiring a feeding tube for between 3 and 12 months\nExamples of factors affecting ISV assessment\nthe extent of any ongoing voice or speech impairment\nwhether a feeding tube was required, and if so, for how long it was required","sortOrder":100},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.57","sectionType":"section","heading":"Moderate injury to the digestive system caused by trauma","content":"### sch.3-sec.57 Moderate injury to the digestive system caused by trauma\n\nExamples of the injury\n6 to 10\na simple penetrating stab wound, causing some permanent tissue damage, but with no significant long-term effect on digestive function\nan injury requiring a feeding tube for less than 3 months\nExamples of factors affecting ISV assessment\nwhether a feeding tube was required, and if so, for how long it was required\nwhether dietary changes are required to reduce the risk of aspiration because of impaired swallowing","sortOrder":101},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.58","sectionType":"section","heading":"Minor injury to the digestive system caused by trauma","content":"### sch.3-sec.58 Minor injury to the digestive system caused by trauma\n\nExamples of the injury\n0 to 5\na soft tissue injury to the abdomen wall, for example, a laceration or serious seatbelt bruising to the abdomen or flank, or both\na minor injury to the throat or tongue causing temporary difficulties with swallowing or speech\na laceration of the tongue requiring suturing","sortOrder":102},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec-oc.10","sectionType":"section","heading":null,"content":"### Section sch.3-sec-oc.10\n\nGeneral comment for items 59 to 62\nThere is a marked difference between those comparatively rare cases having a long-term or even permanent effect on quality of life and cases in which the only ongoing symptom is an allergy, for example, to specific foods, that may cause short-term illness.","sortOrder":103},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.59","sectionType":"section","heading":"Extreme injury to the digestive system not caused by trauma","content":"### sch.3-sec.59 Extreme injury to the digestive system not caused by trauma\n\nExample of the injury\n13 to 35\nsevere toxicosis—\ncausing serious acute pain, vomiting, diarrhoea and fever, requiring hospitalisation for days or weeks; and\nalso causing 1 or more of the following—\nongoing incontinence\nhaemorrhoids\nirritable bowel syndrome; and\nhaving a significant impact on the capacity for employment and enjoyment of life\nComment about appropriate level of ISV\nAn ISV in the lower half of the range will be appropriate if the injury causes a chronic infection, that requires prolonged hospitalisation, that will not resolve after antibiotic treatment for 1 year.","sortOrder":104},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.60","sectionType":"section","heading":"Serious injury to the digestive system not caused by trauma","content":"### sch.3-sec.60 Serious injury to the digestive system not caused by trauma\n\nExamples of the injury\n6 to 12\nserious but short-term food poisoning causing diarrhoea and vomiting—\ndiminishing over 2 to 4 weeks; and\nwith some remaining discomfort and disturbance of bowel function and impact on sex life and enjoyment of food, over a few years\nconstant abdominal pain, causing significant discomfort, for up to 18 months caused by a delay in diagnosis of an injury to the digestive system\nComment about appropriate level of ISV\nAn ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if there is an adverse response to the administration of a drug that—\nrequires admission to an intensive care unit; and\ndoes not cause any permanent impairment; and\ncauses the need for ongoing drug therapy for life.\nAn ISV in the upper half of the range will be appropriate if a chronic infection—\nrequires prolonged hospitalisation and additional treatment; and\nwill be resolved by antibiotic treatment within 1 year.\nAn ISV at or near the bottom of the range will be appropriate if there is an adverse response to the administration of a drug that—\nrequires admission to an intensive care unit; and\ndoes not cause any permanent impairment; and\ndoes not cause the need for ongoing drug therapy for life.","sortOrder":105},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.61","sectionType":"section","heading":"Moderate injury to the digestive system not caused by trauma","content":"### sch.3-sec.61 Moderate injury to the digestive system not caused by trauma\n\nExamples of the injury\n3 to 5\nfood poisoning—\ncausing significant discomfort, stomach cramps, change of bowel function and fatigue; and\nrequiring hospitalisation for days; and\nwith symptoms lasting a few weeks; and\nfrom which the injured person will fully recover within 1 or 2 years\nan infection that is resolved by antibiotic treatment, with or without additional treatment in hospital, within 3 months after the injury is caused\nan adverse response to the administration of a drug, causing any of the following continuing over a period of more than 7 days, and requiring hospitalisation—\nvomiting;\nshortness of breath;\nhypertension;\nskin irritation","sortOrder":106},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.62","sectionType":"section","heading":"Minor injury to the digestive system not caused by trauma","content":"### sch.3-sec.62 Minor injury to the digestive system not caused by trauma\n\nExamples of the injury\n0 to 2\ndisabling pain, cramps and diarrhoea, ongoing for days or weeks\na localised infection, requiring antibiotic treatment, that heals within 6 weeks after the start of treatment\nan adverse response to the administration of a drug, causing any of the following continuing over a period of not more than 7 days, and not requiring hospitalisation—\nvomiting;\nshortness of breath;\nhypertension;\nskin irritation\nintermittent abdominal pain for up to 6 months caused by a delay in diagnosis of an injury to the digestive system","sortOrder":107},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-pt.5-div.7","sectionType":"division","heading":"Kidney or ureter injuries","content":"## Kidney or ureter injuries","sortOrder":108},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec-oc.11","sectionType":"section","heading":null,"content":"### Section sch.3-sec-oc.11\n\nGeneral comment for items 63 to 66\nAn injury to a ureter or the ureters alone, without loss of, or serious damage to, a kidney will generally be assessed under item 65 or 66.\nExamples of factors affecting ISV assessment for items 63 to 66\nage\nrisk of ongoing kidney or ureter problems, complications or symptoms\nneed for future medical procedures","sortOrder":109},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.63","sectionType":"section","heading":"Extreme injury to kidneys or ureters","content":"### sch.3-sec.63 Extreme injury to kidneys or ureters\n\n63.1\nLoss of both kidneys causing loss of renal function and requiring permanent dialysis or transplant\n56 to 75\n63.2\nSerious damage to both kidneys, requiring temporary or intermittent dialysis\n31 to 55\nExamples of factors affecting ISV assessment\nthe effect of dialysis and loss of kidney function on activities of daily living\nthe length of time for which dialysis was required or the frequency of intermittent dialysis\nongoing requirement for medication, for example, to control blood pressure\nwhether the injury caused the need for dietary changes, and if so, for how long\nComment about appropriate level of ISV\nAn ISV at or near the bottom of the range will be appropriate if dialysis was required for an initial 3-month period, with intermittent dialysis required after that.\nAn ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if the injury required dialysis for about 1 year and ongoing dietary changes and medication.","sortOrder":110},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.64","sectionType":"section","heading":"Serious injury to kidneys or ureters","content":"### sch.3-sec.64 Serious injury to kidneys or ureters\n\nComment\n19 to 30\nThe injury may require temporary dialysis for less than 3 months.\nExample of the injury\nloss of 1 kidney if there is severe damage to, and a risk of loss of function of, the other kidney\nComment about appropriate level of ISV\nThe higher the risk of loss of function of the other kidney, the higher the ISV.","sortOrder":111},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.65","sectionType":"section","heading":"Moderate injury to kidneys or ureters","content":"### sch.3-sec.65 Moderate injury to kidneys or ureters\n\nExamples of the injury\n11 to 18\nloss of 1 kidney, with no damage to the other kidney\nan injury to a ureter or the ureters that requires surgery or placement of stents","sortOrder":112},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.66","sectionType":"section","heading":"Minor injury to kidneys or ureters","content":"### sch.3-sec.66 Minor injury to kidneys or ureters\n\nExample of the injury\n0 to 10\na laceration or contusion to 1 or both of the kidneys\nComment about appropriate level of ISV\nAn ISV at or near the bottom of the range will be appropriate if there is an injury to a kidney causing a contusion.\nAn ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if a partial removal of a kidney is required.","sortOrder":113},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-pt.5-div.8","sectionType":"division","heading":"Liver, gall bladder or biliary tract injuries","content":"## Liver, gall bladder or biliary tract injuries","sortOrder":114},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec-oc.12","sectionType":"section","heading":null,"content":"### Section sch.3-sec-oc.12\n\nExamples of factors affecting ISV assessment for items 67 to 70\nwhether there are recurrent episodes of infection or obstruction\nwhether there is a risk of developing biliary cirrhosis","sortOrder":115},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.67","sectionType":"section","heading":"Extreme injury to liver, gall bladder or biliary tract","content":"### sch.3-sec.67 Extreme injury to liver, gall bladder or biliary tract\n\nExample of the injury\n51 to 70\nloss, or injury causing effective loss, of liver function, requiring constant substitutional therapy\nComment about appropriate level of ISV\nAn ISV at or near the bottom of the range will be appropriate if there are recurrent episodes of liver failure that require hospital admission and medical management but do not require liver transplantation.\nAn ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if the injury requires liver transplantation.","sortOrder":116},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.68","sectionType":"section","heading":"Serious injury to liver, gall bladder or biliary tract","content":"### sch.3-sec.68 Serious injury to liver, gall bladder or biliary tract\n\nExample of the injury\n36 to 50\nserious damage causing loss of over 30% of the tissue of the liver, but with some functional capacity of the liver remaining","sortOrder":117},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.69","sectionType":"section","heading":"Moderate injury to liver, gall bladder or biliary tract","content":"### sch.3-sec.69 Moderate injury to liver, gall bladder or biliary tract\n\nExample of the injury\n16 to 35\na laceration or contusion to the liver, with a moderate effect on liver function\nComment about appropriate level of ISV\nAn ISV at or near the bottom of the range will be appropriate if the injury causes impaired liver function with symptoms of intermittent nausea and vomiting.\nAn ISV at or near the bottom of the range will also be appropriate if there is a gall bladder injury with recurrent infection or symptomatic stone disease, the symptoms of which may include, for example, pain or jaundice.\nAn ISV at or near the middle of the range will be appropriate if the injury involves removal of the gall bladder causing a bile duct injury.\nAn ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if—\nsurgery is required to remove not more than 30% of the liver; or\nbile ducts require repair, for example, placement of stents.\nAn ISV at or near the top of the range will also be appropriate if there is an injury to the gall bladder, that despite biliary surgery, causes ongoing symptoms, infection or the need for further endoscopic surgery.","sortOrder":118},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.70","sectionType":"section","heading":"Minor injury to liver, gall bladder or biliary tract","content":"### sch.3-sec.70 Minor injury to liver, gall bladder or biliary tract\n\nComment\n3 to 15\nAn injury within this item should not require surgery to the liver.\nExample of the injury\na laceration or contusion to the liver, with a minor effect on liver function\nComment about appropriate level of ISV\nAn ISV in the lower half of the range will be appropriate if there is an uncomplicated removal of the gall bladder with no ongoing symptoms.","sortOrder":119},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-pt.5-div.9","sectionType":"division","heading":"Bowel injuries","content":"## Bowel injuries","sortOrder":120},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec-oc.13","sectionType":"section","heading":null,"content":"### Section sch.3-sec-oc.13\n\nExamples of factors affecting ISV assessment for items 71 to 74\nage\nrisk of ongoing bowel problems, complications or symptoms\nneed for future surgery\nthe degree to which dietary changes are required to manage chronic pain or diarrhoea caused by the injury","sortOrder":121},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.71","sectionType":"section","heading":"Extreme bowel injury","content":"### sch.3-sec.71 Extreme bowel injury\n\nExample of the injury\n41 to 60\nan injury causing a total loss of natural bowel function and dependence on colostomy","sortOrder":122},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.72","sectionType":"section","heading":"Serious bowel injury","content":"### sch.3-sec.72 Serious bowel injury\n\nExample of the injury\n19 to 40\na serious abdominal injury causing either or both of the following—\nimpairment of bowel function (which often requires permanent or long-term colostomy, leaving disfiguring scars);\nrestrictions on employment and diet","sortOrder":123},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.73","sectionType":"section","heading":"Moderate bowel injury","content":"### sch.3-sec.73 Moderate bowel injury\n\nComment about appropriate level of ISV\n7 to 18\nAn ISV at or near the bottom of the range will be appropriate if—\nthe injury requires an ileostomy or colostomy for less than 3 months; and\nbowel function returns to normal; and\nthere are no ongoing symptoms.\nAn ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if—\nthe injury requires temporary surgical diversion of the bowel, for example, an ileostomy or colostomy; and\nthere is ongoing intermittent abnormal bowel function requiring medication.","sortOrder":124},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.74","sectionType":"section","heading":"Minor bowel injury","content":"### sch.3-sec.74 Minor bowel injury\n\nExample of the injury\n3 to 6\nan injury causing tears to the bowel, with minimal ongoing bowel problems","sortOrder":125},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-pt.5-div.10","sectionType":"division","heading":"Bladder, prostate or urethra injuries","content":"## Bladder, prostate or urethra injuries","sortOrder":126},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec-oc.14","sectionType":"section","heading":null,"content":"### Section sch.3-sec-oc.14\n\nExamples of factors affecting ISV assessment for items 75 to 78\nage\nrisk of ongoing bladder, prostate or urethra problems, complications or symptoms\nneed for future surgery","sortOrder":127},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.75","sectionType":"section","heading":"Extreme bladder, prostate or urethra injury","content":"### sch.3-sec.75 Extreme bladder, prostate or urethra injury\n\nExample of the injury\n40 to 60\nan injury causing a complete loss of bladder function and control, with permanent dependence on urostomy","sortOrder":128},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.76","sectionType":"section","heading":"Serious bladder, prostate or urethra injury","content":"### sch.3-sec.76 Serious bladder, prostate or urethra injury\n\nExample of the injury\n19 to 39\nan injury causing serious impairment of bladder control, with some incontinence\nComment about appropriate level of ISV\nAn ISV in the upper half of the range will be appropriate if there is serious ongoing pain.","sortOrder":129},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.77","sectionType":"section","heading":"Moderate bladder, prostate or urethra injury","content":"### sch.3-sec.77 Moderate bladder, prostate or urethra injury\n\nExample of the injury\n7 to 18\nan injury causing continued impairment of bladder control, with minimal incontinence and minimal pain\nComment about appropriate level of ISV\nAn ISV at or near the bottom of the range will be appropriate if there is a laceration of the urethra, that required surgical repair and caused intermittent infection or bladder dysfunction.\nAn ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if there is—\nincreased urinary frequency of more than once every 2 hours throughout the day and more than 3 times at night that is unresponsive to treatment; or\nan ongoing requirement for minor surgery, for example, cystoscopy or urethral dilation.","sortOrder":130},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.78","sectionType":"section","heading":"Minor bladder, prostate or urethra injury","content":"### sch.3-sec.78 Minor bladder, prostate or urethra injury\n\nExample of the injury\n3 to 6\na bladder injury, from which the injured person will fully recover, with some relatively long-term interference with natural bladder function","sortOrder":131},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-pt.5-div.11","sectionType":"division","heading":"Pancreas and spleen injuries","content":"## Pancreas and spleen injuries","sortOrder":132},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.79","sectionType":"section","heading":"Injury to the pancreas","content":"### sch.3-sec.79 Injury to the pancreas\n\nComment about appropriate level of ISV\n10 to 35\nAn ISV at or near the bottom of the range will be appropriate if there is a contusion to the pancreas that heals.\nAn ISV at or near the middle of the range will be appropriate if there are chronic symptoms, for example, pain or diarrhoea.\nAn ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if—\nthere are chronic symptoms with significant weight loss of between 10% and 20% of body weight, and pancreatic enzyme replacement is required; or\nan injury to the pancreas causes diabetes.\nExamples of factors affecting ISV assessment\nthe extent of any ongoing risk of internal infection and disorders, for example, diabetes\nthe need for, and outcome of, further surgery, for example, surgery to manage pain caused by stone disease, infection or an expanding pseudocyst","sortOrder":133},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.80","sectionType":"section","heading":"Loss of spleen (complicated)","content":"### sch.3-sec.80 Loss of spleen (complicated)\n\nExample of the injury\n8 to 20\nloss of spleen if there will be a risk, that is not minor, of ongoing internal infection and disorders caused by the loss\nComment about appropriate level of ISV\nAn ISV at or near the bottom of the range will be appropriate if the injury leads to a splenectomy, with intermittent symptoms of pain, nausea and vomiting that settle.\nAn ISV at or near the middle of the range will be appropriate if—\nthe injury leads to a splenectomy, with serious infection after the splenectomy; and\nthe infection requires surgical or radiological intervention.\nAn ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if the injury leads to a splenectomy, with portal vein thrombosis after the splenectomy.","sortOrder":134},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.81","sectionType":"section","heading":"Injury to the spleen or uncomplicated loss of spleen","content":"### sch.3-sec.81 Injury to the spleen or uncomplicated loss of spleen\n\nExample of the injury\n0 to 7\nlaceration or contusion to the spleen that—\nhas been radiologically confirmed; and\nhas no ongoing bleeding; and\nis managed conservatively; and\nresolves fully\nComment about appropriate level of ISV\nAn ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if there has been removal of the spleen (splenectomy), with little or no risk of ongoing infections and disorders caused by the loss of the spleen.","sortOrder":135},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-pt.5-div.12","sectionType":"division","heading":"Hernia injuries","content":"## Hernia injuries","sortOrder":136},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.82","sectionType":"section","heading":"Severe hernia","content":"### sch.3-sec.82 Severe hernia\n\nExample of the injury\n11 to 20\na hernia if after repair there is either or both—\nongoing pain; or\na restriction on physical activities, sport or employment","sortOrder":137},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.83","sectionType":"section","heading":"Moderate hernia","content":"### sch.3-sec.83 Moderate hernia\n\nExample of the injury\n6 to 10\na hernia that after repair has some real risk of recurring in the short-term","sortOrder":138},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.84","sectionType":"section","heading":"Minor hernia","content":"### sch.3-sec.84 Minor hernia\n\nExample of the injury\n0 to 5\nan uncomplicated inguinal hernia, whether or not repaired","sortOrder":139},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-pt.6","sectionType":"part","heading":"Orthopaedic injuries","content":"# Orthopaedic injuries","sortOrder":140},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-pt.6-div.1","sectionType":"division","heading":"Cervical spine injuries","content":"## Cervical spine injuries","sortOrder":141},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec-oc.15","sectionType":"section","heading":null,"content":"### Section sch.3-sec-oc.15\n\nGeneral comment for items 85 to 89\nThis division does not apply to the following injuries (that are dealt with in items 1 to 3)—\nquadriplegia\nparaplegia\nhemiplegia or severe paralysis of more than 1 limb.\nCervical spine injuries, other than those dealt with in items 1 to 3, range from cases of very severe disability to cases of a minor strain, with no time off work and symptoms only suffered for 2 or 3 weeks.\nSymptoms associated with nerve root compression or damage can not be taken into account in assessing an ISV under item 85, 86 or 87 unless objective signs are present of nerve root compression or damage, for example—\nCT or MRI scans or other radiological evidence\nmuscle wasting\nclinical findings of deep tendon reflex loss, motor weakness and loss of sensation.","sortOrder":142},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.85","sectionType":"section","heading":"Extreme cervical spine injury","content":"### sch.3-sec.85 Extreme cervical spine injury\n\nComment\n41 to 75\nThese are extremely severe injuries that cause gross limitation of movement and serious interference with performance of daily activities.\nThe injury will involve significant upper or lower extremity impairment and may require the use of an adaptive device or prosthesis.\nExamples of the injury\na total neurological loss at a single level\nsevere multilevel neurological dysfunction\nstructural compromise of the spinal canal with extreme upper or lower extremity motor and sensory impairments\nfractures involving more than 50% compression of a vertebral body with neural compromise\nComment about appropriate level of ISV\nAn ISV at or near the bottom of the range will be appropriate if there is whole person impairment of about 29%.\nAn ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if there is a cervical spine injury causing monoplegia of the dominant upper limb and whole person impairment of at least 60%.","sortOrder":143},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.86","sectionType":"section","heading":"Serious cervical spine injury","content":"### sch.3-sec.86 Serious cervical spine injury\n\nComment\n16 to 40\nThe injury will cause serious upper extremity impairment or serious permanent impairment of the cervical spine.\nThe injury may involve—\na change of motion segment integrity; or\nbilateral or multilevel nerve root compression or damage.\nExamples of the injury\nloss of motion in a motion segment because of a surgical or post-traumatic fusion\na fracture involving more than 25% compression of 1 vertebral body\nan injury showing objective signs of nerve root damage after surgery\nComment about appropriate level of ISV\nAn ISV at or near the bottom of the range will be appropriate if—\nthe injured person has had surgery and symptoms persist; or\nthere is a fracture involving 25% compression of 1 vertebral body.\nAn ISV in the middle of the range will be appropriate if there is a fracture involving about 50% compression of a vertebral body, with ongoing pain.\nAn ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if—\nthe injured person has had a fusion of vertebral bodies that has failed, leaving objective signs of significant residual nerve root damage and ongoing pain, affecting 1 side of the body; and\nthere is whole person impairment of about 28%.","sortOrder":144},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.87","sectionType":"section","heading":"Moderate cervical spine injury—fracture, disc prolapse or nerve root compression or damage","content":"### sch.3-sec.87 Moderate cervical spine injury—fracture, disc prolapse or nerve root compression or damage\n\nComment about appropriate level of ISV\n5 to 15\nAn ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if—\nthere is a disc prolapse for which there is radiological evidence at an anatomically correct level; and\nthere are symptoms of pain and 3 or more of the following objective signs that are anatomically localised to an appropriate spinal nerve root distribution—\nsensory loss;\nloss of muscle strength;\nloss of reflexes;\nunilateral atrophy; and\nthe impairment has not improved after non-operative treatment.\nAn ISV of about 10 will be appropriate if there is a fracture of a vertebral body with up to 25% compression, and ongoing pain.\nAn ISV at or near the bottom of the range will be appropriate for an uncomplicated fracture of a posterior element of 1 or more of the vertebral segments, for example, spinous or transverse processes, without neurological impairment.","sortOrder":145},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.88","sectionType":"section","heading":"Moderate cervical spine injury—soft tissue injury","content":"### sch.3-sec.88 Moderate cervical spine injury—soft tissue injury\n\nComment\n5 to 10\nThe injury will cause moderate permanent impairment, for which there is objective evidence, of the cervical spine.\nComment about appropriate level of ISV\nAn ISV of not more than 10 will be appropriate if there is whole person impairment of 8% caused by a soft tissue injury for which there is no radiological evidence.","sortOrder":146},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.89","sectionType":"section","heading":"Minor cervical spine injury","content":"### sch.3-sec.89 Minor cervical spine injury\n\nComment\n0 to 4\nInjuries within this item include a whiplash injury with no ongoing symptoms, other than symptoms that are merely a nuisance, remaining more than 18 months after the injury is caused.\nThere will be no objective signs of neurological impairment.\nExample of the injury\na soft tissue or whiplash injury if symptoms are minor and the injured person recovers, or is expected to recover, from the injury to a level where the injury is merely a nuisance within 18 months after the injury is caused\nComment about appropriate level of ISV\nAn ISV at or near the bottom of the range will be appropriate if the injury will resolve without any ongoing symptoms within months after the injury is caused.\nAn ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if the injury, despite improvement, causes headaches and some ongoing pain.","sortOrder":147},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-pt.6-div.2","sectionType":"division","heading":"Thoracic or lumbar spine injuries","content":"## Thoracic or lumbar spine injuries","sortOrder":148},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec-oc.16","sectionType":"section","heading":null,"content":"### Section sch.3-sec-oc.16\n\nGeneral comment for items 90 to 94\nThis division does not apply to the following injuries (that are dealt with in items 1 to 3)—\nquadriplegia\nparaplegia\nhemiplegia or severe paralysis of more than 1 limb.\nThoracic or lumbar spine injuries, other than those dealt with in items 1 to 3, range from cases of very severe disability to cases of a minor strain, with no time off work and symptoms suffered only for 2 or 3 weeks.\nSymptoms associated with nerve root compression or damage can not be taken into account in assessing an ISV under item 90, 91 or 92 unless objective signs are present of nerve root compression or damage, for example—\nCT or MRI scans or other radiological evidence\nmuscle wasting\nclinical findings of deep tendon reflex loss, motor weakness and loss of sensation.","sortOrder":149},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.90","sectionType":"section","heading":"Extreme thoracic or lumbar spine injury","content":"### sch.3-sec.90 Extreme thoracic or lumbar spine injury\n\nComment\n36 to 60\nThese are extremely severe injuries causing gross limitation of movement and serious interference with performance of daily activities. There may be some motor or sensory loss, and some impairment of bladder, ano-rectal or sexual function.\nExample of the injury\na fracture involving compression of a thoracic or lumbar vertebral body of more than 50%, with neurological impairment\nComment about appropriate level of ISV\nAn ISV at or near the bottom of the range will be appropriate if there is whole person impairment for the injury of 25%.\nAn ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if there is whole person impairment for the injury of at least 45%.","sortOrder":150},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.91","sectionType":"section","heading":"Serious thoracic or lumbar spine injury","content":"### sch.3-sec.91 Serious thoracic or lumbar spine injury\n\nComment\n16 to 35\nThe injury will cause serious permanent impairment in the thoracic or lumbar spine.\nThe injury may involve—\nbilateral or multilevel nerve root damage; or\na change in motion segment integrity, for example, because of surgery.\nExample of the injury\na fracture involving at least 25% compression of 1 thoracic or lumbar vertebral body\nComment about appropriate level of ISV\nAn ISV at or near the bottom of the range will be appropriate if—\nthe injured person has had surgery and symptoms persist; or\nthere is a fracture involving 25% compression of 1 vertebral body.\nAn ISV in the middle of the range will be appropriate if there is a fracture involving 50% compression of a vertebral body, with ongoing pain.\nAn ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if the injured person has had a fusion of vertebral bodies that has failed—\nleaving objective signs of significant residual nerve root damage and ongoing pain, affecting 1 side of the body; and\ncausing whole person impairment of 24%.","sortOrder":151},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.92","sectionType":"section","heading":"Moderate thoracic or lumbar spine injury—fracture, disc prolapse or nerve root compression or damage","content":"### sch.3-sec.92 Moderate thoracic or lumbar spine injury—fracture, disc prolapse or nerve root compression or damage\n\nComment about appropriate level of ISV\n5 to 15\nAn ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if—\nthere is a disc prolapse for which there is radiological evidence at an anatomically correct level; and\nthere are symptoms of pain and 3 or more of the following objective signs, that are anatomically localised to an appropriate spinal nerve root distribution—\nsensory loss;\nloss of muscle strength;\nloss of reflexes;\nunilateral atrophy; and\nthe impairment has not improved after non-operative treatment.\nAn ISV of about 10 will be appropriate if there is a fracture of a vertebral body with up to 25% compression, and ongoing pain.\nAn ISV at or near the bottom of the range will be appropriate for an uncomplicated fracture of a posterior element of 1 or more of the vertebral segments, for example, spinous or transverse processes, without neurological impairment.","sortOrder":152},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.93","sectionType":"section","heading":"Moderate thoracic or lumbar spine injury—soft tissue injury","content":"### sch.3-sec.93 Moderate thoracic or lumbar spine injury—soft tissue injury\n\nComment\n5 to 10\nThe injury will cause moderate permanent impairment, for which there is objective evidence, of the thoracic or lumbar spine.\nComment about appropriate level of ISV\nAn ISV of not more than 10 will be appropriate if there is whole person impairment of 8% caused by a soft tissue injury for which there is no radiological evidence.","sortOrder":153},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.94","sectionType":"section","heading":"Minor thoracic or lumbar spine injury","content":"### sch.3-sec.94 Minor thoracic or lumbar spine injury\n\nExample of the injury\n0 to 4\na soft tissue injury of the thoracic or lumbar spine with no—\nsignificant clinical findings\nfractures\ndocumented neurological impairment\nsignificant loss of motion segment integrity\nother objective signs of impairment relating to the injury\nComment about appropriate level of ISV\nAn ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate, whether or not the injured person continues to suffer some ongoing pain, if the injury will substantially reach maximum medical improvement, with only minor symptoms, within about 18 months after the injury is caused.\nAn ISV at or near the bottom of the range will be appropriate if the injury will resolve without any ongoing symptoms within months after the injury is caused.","sortOrder":154},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-pt.6-div.3","sectionType":"division","heading":"Shoulder injuries","content":"## Shoulder injuries","sortOrder":155},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec-oc.17","sectionType":"section","heading":null,"content":"### Section sch.3-sec-oc.17\n\nGeneral comment for items 95 to 98\nInjuries under items 95 to 98 include subluxations or dislocations of the sternoclavicular joint, acromioclavicular joint or glenohumeral joint.\nSoft tissue injuries may involve the musculoligamentous supporting structures of the joints.\nFractures may involve the clavicle, the scapula (shoulder blade) and the humerus.\nComment about appropriate level of ISV for items 95 to 98\nAn ISV at or near the top of the range will generally only be appropriate if the injury is to the shoulder of the dominant upper limb.","sortOrder":156},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.95","sectionType":"section","heading":"Extreme shoulder injury","content":"### sch.3-sec.95 Extreme shoulder injury\n\nComment\n31 to 50\nThese are the most severe traumatic injuries causing gross permanent impairment.\nExamples of the injury\na severe fracture or dislocation, with secondary medical complications\njoint disruption with poor outcome after surgery\ndegloving\npermanent nerve palsies\nAdditional comment about appropriate level of ISV\nAn ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if there is whole person impairment of 45% and complete loss of all shoulder function of the dominant upper limb.","sortOrder":157},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.96","sectionType":"section","heading":"Serious shoulder injury","content":"### sch.3-sec.96 Serious shoulder injury\n\nComment\n16 to 30\nThe injury will involve serious trauma to the shoulder causing serious permanent impairment.\nExamples of the injury\na crush injury\na serious fracture with secondary arthritis\nnerve palsies from which the injured person will partially recover\nestablished non-union of a clavicular or scapular fracture despite open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF)\nestablished non-union of a clavicular or scapular fracture if surgery is not appropriate or not possible, and there is significant functional impairment\nAdditional comment about appropriate level of ISV\nAn ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if there is whole person impairment for the injury of 25% and the injury is to the dominant upper limb.","sortOrder":158},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.97","sectionType":"section","heading":"Moderate shoulder injury","content":"### sch.3-sec.97 Moderate shoulder injury\n\nExamples of the injury\n6 to 15\ntraumatic adhesive capsulitis with discomfort, limitation of movement and symptoms persisting or expected to persist for about 2 years\npermanent and significant soft tissue disruption, for example, from tendon tears or ligament tears\na fracture, from which the injured person has made a reasonable recovery, requiring open reduction and internal fixation\nnerve palsies from which the injured person has made a good recovery\npainful persisting dislocation of the acromioclavicular joint\nan injury to the sternoclavicular joint causing permanent, painful instability\nAdditional comment about appropriate level of ISV\nAn ISV at or near the bottom of the range will be appropriate if there is whole person impairment for the injury of 6%.\nAn ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if there is whole person impairment for the injury of 12% and the injury is to the dominant upper limb.","sortOrder":159},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.98","sectionType":"section","heading":"Minor shoulder injury","content":"### sch.3-sec.98 Minor shoulder injury\n\nExamples of the injury\n0 to 5\nsoft tissue injury with considerable pain from which the injured person makes an almost full recovery in less than 18 months\nfracture from which the injured person has made an uncomplicated recovery\nstrain injury of the acromioclavicular joint or sternoclavicular joint","sortOrder":160},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-pt.6-div.4","sectionType":"division","heading":"Amputation of upper limbs","content":"## Amputation of upper limbs","sortOrder":161},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec-oc.18","sectionType":"section","heading":null,"content":"### Section sch.3-sec-oc.18\n\nComment about appropriate level of ISV for items 99 to 100.3\nAn ISV at or near the top of the range will generally only be appropriate if the amputation is of the dominant upper limb.","sortOrder":162},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.99","sectionType":"section","heading":"Loss of both upper limbs, or loss of 1 arm and extreme injury to the other arm","content":"### sch.3-sec.99 Loss of both upper limbs, or loss of 1 arm and extreme injury to the other arm\n\nComment\n55 to 85\nThe effect of the injury is to reduce the injured person to a state of considerable helplessness.\nExamples of factors affecting ISV assessment\nwhether the amputations are above or below the elbow (the loss of the elbow joint adds greatly to the disability)\nthe length of any stump suitable for use with a prosthesis\nseverity of any phantom pains\nAdditional comment about appropriate level of ISV\nAn ISV of 70 to 85 will be appropriate if—\nboth upper limbs are amputated at the shoulder; or\n1 arm is amputated at the shoulder, and there is a loss of function in the other arm, causing whole person impairment of 60%.\nAn ISV of 65 to 80 will be appropriate if—\nboth upper limbs are amputated through the elbow or above the elbow but below the shoulder; or\n1 arm is amputated through the elbow or above the elbow but below the shoulder, and there is a loss of function in the other arm, causing whole person impairment of 57%.\nAn ISV of 55 to 75 will be appropriate if—\nboth upper limbs are amputated below the elbow; or\n1 arm is amputated below the elbow, and there is a loss of function in the other arm, causing whole person impairment of 54%.","sortOrder":163},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.100","sectionType":"section","heading":"Loss of 1 upper limb","content":"### sch.3-sec.100 Loss of 1 upper limb\n\nExamples of factors affecting ISV assessment\nwhether the amputation is above or below the elbow (the loss of the elbow joint adds greatly to the disability)\nwhether the amputation was of the dominant arm\nthe length of any stump suitable for use with a prosthesis\nseverity of any phantom pains\nextent of any disability in the other arm\n100.1\nAn upper limb amputation at the shoulder\n50 to 65\n100.2\nAn upper limb amputation through the elbow or above the elbow but below the shoulder\n40 to 65\nAdditional comment about appropriate level of ISV for item 100.2\nAn ISV at or near the bottom of the range will generally be appropriate if there is an amputation through the elbow.\nAn ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if there is a short stump because a short stump may create difficulties in the use of a prosthesis.\n100.3\nAn upper limb amputation below the elbow\n35 to 60\nAdditional comment about appropriate level of ISV for item 100.3\nAn ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if there is an amputation through the forearm with residual severe pain in the stump and phantom pains.","sortOrder":164},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-pt.6-div.5","sectionType":"division","heading":"Elbow injuries","content":"## Elbow injuries","sortOrder":165},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec-oc.19","sectionType":"section","heading":null,"content":"### Section sch.3-sec-oc.19\n\nComment about appropriate level of ISV for items 101 to 104\nAn ISV at or near the top of the range will generally only be appropriate if the injury is to the elbow of the dominant upper limb.","sortOrder":166},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.101","sectionType":"section","heading":"Extreme elbow injury","content":"### sch.3-sec.101 Extreme elbow injury\n\nComment\n26 to 50\nThe injury will involve an extremely severe elbow injury, falling short of amputation, leaving little effective use of the elbow joint.\nExamples of the injury\nwhole person impairment for the injury of between 24% and 42%\na complex elbow fracture, or dislocation, with secondary complications\njoint disruption, with poor outcome after surgery\ndegloving\npermanent nerve palsies\nan injury causing severe limitation of elbow movement with the joint constrained in a non-functional position","sortOrder":167},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.102","sectionType":"section","heading":"Serious elbow injury","content":"### sch.3-sec.102 Serious elbow injury\n\nComment\n13 to 25\nThe injury will involve significant disability and require major surgery.\nExamples of the injury\na serious fracture with secondary arthritis\na crush injury\nnerve palsies from which the injured person will partially recover\npermanent, poor restriction of range of motion with the elbow constrained in a satisfactory functional position\nAdditional comment about appropriate level of ISV\nAn ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if there is whole person impairment for the injury of 23% and the injury is to the elbow of the dominant upper limb.","sortOrder":168},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.103","sectionType":"section","heading":"Moderate elbow injury","content":"### sch.3-sec.103 Moderate elbow injury\n\nComment\n6 to 12\nThe injury will cause moderate long-term disability but does not require protracted surgery.\nExamples of the injury\nsoft tissue disruption, for example, a ligament or tendon tear\na fracture, from which the injured person has made a reasonable recovery, requiring open reduction and internal fixation\nnerve palsies from which the injured person has made a good recovery\nAdditional comment about appropriate level of ISV\nAn ISV at or near the bottom of the range will be appropriate if there is whole person impairment for the injury of 5%.\nAn ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if there is a moderately severe injury to the elbow of the dominant upper limb—\nrequiring prolonged treatment; and\ncausing whole person impairment of 10%.","sortOrder":169},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.104","sectionType":"section","heading":"Minor elbow injury","content":"### sch.3-sec.104 Minor elbow injury\n\nComment\n0 to 5\nThe injury will cause no permanent damage and no permanent impairment of function.\nExamples of the injury\na fracture with an uncomplicated recovery\na soft tissue injury with pain, minor tennis elbow syndrome or laceration","sortOrder":170},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-pt.6-div.6","sectionType":"division","heading":"Wrist injuries","content":"## Wrist injuries","sortOrder":171},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec-oc.20","sectionType":"section","heading":null,"content":"### Section sch.3-sec-oc.20\n\nComment about appropriate level of ISV for items 105 to 108\nAn ISV at or near the top of the range will generally only be appropriate if the injury is to the wrist of the dominant upper limb.","sortOrder":172},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.105","sectionType":"section","heading":"Extreme wrist injury","content":"### sch.3-sec.105 Extreme wrist injury\n\nComment\n25 to 40\nThe injury will involve severe fractures, or a dislocation, causing a high level of permanent impairment.\nExamples of the injury\na severe fracture or dislocation with secondary joint complications\njoint disruption with poor outcome after surgery\ndegloving\npermanent nerve palsies\nAdditional comment about appropriate level of ISV\nAn ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if there is whole person impairment for the injury of 36% and the injury is to the wrist of the dominant upper limb.","sortOrder":173},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.106","sectionType":"section","heading":"Serious wrist injury","content":"### sch.3-sec.106 Serious wrist injury\n\nExamples of the injury\n16 to 24\nan injury causing significant permanent loss of wrist function, for example, severe problems with gripping or pushing objects, but with some useful movement remaining\nnon-union of a carpal fracture\nsevere carpal instability\nAdditional comment about appropriate level of ISV\nAn ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if there is whole person impairment for the injury of 20% and the injury is to the wrist of the dominant upper limb.","sortOrder":174},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.107","sectionType":"section","heading":"Moderate wrist injury","content":"### sch.3-sec.107 Moderate wrist injury\n\nExamples of the injury\n6 to 15\na wrist injury that is not serious and causes some permanent disability, for example, some persisting pain and stiffness\npersisting radio-ulnar instability\nrecurrent tendon subluxation or entrapment\nAdditional comment about appropriate level of ISV\nAn ISV at or near the bottom of the range will be appropriate if there is whole person impairment for the injury of 6%.\nAn ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if there is whole person impairment for the injury of 12%.","sortOrder":175},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.108","sectionType":"section","heading":"Minor wrist injury","content":"### sch.3-sec.108 Minor wrist injury\n\nExamples of the injury\n0 to 5\na fracture from which the injured person almost fully recovers\na soft tissue injury, for example, severe bruising\ncontinued pain following carpal tunnel release","sortOrder":176},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-pt.6-div.7","sectionType":"division","heading":"Hand injuries","content":"## Hand injuries","sortOrder":177},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec-oc.21","sectionType":"section","heading":null,"content":"### Section sch.3-sec-oc.21\n\nGeneral comment for items 109 to 120\nHands are cosmetically and functionally the most important part of the upper limbs.\nComment about appropriate level of ISV for items 109 to 120\nThe appropriate ISV for loss of a hand is only a little less than the appropriate ISV for the loss of the relevant arm.\nAn ISV at or near the top of the range will generally be appropriate if the injury is to the dominant hand.","sortOrder":178},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.109","sectionType":"section","heading":"Total or effective loss of both hands","content":"### sch.3-sec.109 Total or effective loss of both hands\n\nExample of the injury\n51 to 75\na serious injury causing extensive damage to both hands making them little more than useless\nExamples of factors affecting ISV assessment\nthe level of residual capacity left in either hand\nseverity of any phantom pains if there has been an amputation or amputations\nAdditional comment about appropriate level of ISV\nAn ISV at or near the bottom of the range will be appropriate if both hands remain attached to the forearms and are of some cosmetic importance.\nAn ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if both hands are amputated through the wrist.","sortOrder":179},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.110","sectionType":"section","heading":"Serious injury to both hands","content":"### sch.3-sec.110 Serious injury to both hands\n\nComment\n40 to 50\nThe injury will involve significant loss of function in both hands, for example, loss of 50% or more of the use of each hand.","sortOrder":180},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.111","sectionType":"section","heading":"Total or effective loss of 1 hand","content":"### sch.3-sec.111 Total or effective loss of 1 hand\n\nExamples of the injury\n35 to 60\na crushed hand that has been surgically amputated\ntraumatic amputation of all fingers and most of the palm\nExample of factor affecting ISV assessment\nseverity of any phantom pain if there has been an amputation\nAdditional comment about appropriate level of ISV\nAn ISV at or near the bottom of the range will be appropriate if there has been an amputation of the fingers at the metacarpophalangeal joints, but the thumb remains, and there is whole person impairment for the injury of 32%.\nAn ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if—\nthere has been amputation of the dominant hand at the wrist; and\nthere is residual severe pain in the stump and ongoing complications, for example, chronic regional pain syndrome or neuroma formation.","sortOrder":181},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.112","sectionType":"section","heading":"Amputation of the thumb or part of the thumb","content":"### sch.3-sec.112 Amputation of the thumb or part of the thumb\n\nExamples of factors affecting ISV assessment\n15 to 28\nthe level of amputation, for example, at carpo metacarpal (CMC) joint, through the distal third of the thumb metacarpal, at the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint or thumb interphalangeal (IP) joint\nwhether the injury is to the dominant hand\nthe extent of any damage to the fingers\nAdditional comment about appropriate level of ISV\nAn ISV at or near the bottom of the range will be appropriate if—\nthere has been an amputation through the interphalangeal joint of the thumb; and\nthere is whole person impairment for the injury of 11%.\nAn ISV at or near the middle of the range will be appropriate if there has been an amputation through the proximal phalanx.\nAn ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if—\nthere has been an amputation at the base of the thumb at the carpometacarpal (CMC) joint level of the dominant hand; and\nthere are ongoing debilitating complications.","sortOrder":182},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.113","sectionType":"section","heading":"Amputation of index, middle and ring fingers, or any 2 of them","content":"### sch.3-sec.113 Amputation of index, middle and ring fingers, or any 2 of them\n\nComment\n15 to 30\nThe amputation will cause complete loss or nearly complete loss of 2 or all of the following fingers of the hand—\nindex finger\nmiddle finger\nring finger.\nExample of factor affecting ISV assessment\nthe level of the amputation, for example, whether the hand has been made to be of very little use and any remaining grip is very weak\nAdditional comment about appropriate level of ISV\nAn ISV at or near the bottom of the range will be appropriate if 2 fingers, whether index, middle or ring fingers, are amputated at the level of the proximal interphalangeal joints.\nAn ISV at or near the middle of the range will be appropriate if there is whole person impairment for the injury of 19%.\nAn ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if—\nthe index, middle and ring fingers are amputated at the level of the metacarpophalangeal joint (MCP joint) or there is whole person impairment for the injury of at least 27%; and\nthe injury is to the dominant hand.","sortOrder":183},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.114","sectionType":"section","heading":"Amputation of individual fingers","content":"### sch.3-sec.114 Amputation of individual fingers\n\nExamples of factors affecting ISV assessment\n5 to 20\nwhether the amputation was of the index or middle finger\nthe level of the amputation\nany damage to other fingers short of amputation\nAdditional comment about appropriate level of ISV\nAn ISV at or near the bottom of the range will be appropriate if—\nthere has been an amputation at the level of the distal interphalangeal joint of the little or ring finger; or\nthere is whole person impairment for the injury of 3%.\nAn ISV of not more than 11 will be appropriate if—\nthere has been an amputation of the index or middle finger at the proximal interphalangeal joint (PIP joint); or\nthere is whole person impairment for the injury of 8%.\nAn ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if there is complete loss of the index or middle finger of the dominant hand, and serious impairment of the remaining fingers causing whole person impairment of at least 15%.","sortOrder":184},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.115","sectionType":"section","heading":"Amputation of thumb and all fingers","content":"### sch.3-sec.115 Amputation of thumb and all fingers\n\nComment\nAs the injury will cause effective loss of the hand, see item 111.","sortOrder":185},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.116","sectionType":"section","heading":"Any other injury to 1 or more of the fingers or the thumb","content":"### sch.3-sec.116 Any other injury to 1 or more of the fingers or the thumb\n\nComment about appropriate level of ISV for items 116.1 to 116.4\nAn ISV of not more than 5 will be appropriate if substantial function of the hand remains.\nExamples of factors affecting ISV\nwhether the injury is to the thumb, or index or middle finger\nany damage to other fingers\nwhether the injury is to the dominant hand\n116.1\nExtreme injury to 1 or more of the fingers or the thumb\n16 to 25\nExample of the injury\ntotal loss of function of 1 or more of the fingers, with the joints ankylosed in non-functional positions\nAdditional comment about appropriate level of ISV\nAn ISV at or near the bottom of the range will be appropriate if there is whole person impairment for the injury of 14%.\nAn ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if there is an injury to the thumb of the dominant hand causing total loss of function of the thumb.\n116.2\nSerious injury to 1 or more of the fingers or the thumb\n11 to 15\nExamples of the injury\na severe crush injury causing ankylosis of the fingers\na bursting wound, or an injury causing severe finger damage, causing residual scarring and dysfunction\nan injury leaving a digit that interferes with the remaining function of the hand\ndivision of 1 or more of the long flexor tendons of the finger, with unsuccessful repair\n116.3\nModerate injury to 1 or more of the fingers or the thumb\n6 to 10\nComment\nThere will be permanent discomfort, pain or sensitive scarring.\nExamples of the injury\nmoderate injury to the thumb or index finger causing loss of movement or dexterity\na crush injury causing multiple fractures of 2 or more fingers\ndivision of 1 or more of the long flexor tendons of the finger, with moderately successful repair\nAdditional comment about appropriate level of ISV\nAn ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if there is whole person impairment for the injury of 8% and the injury is to the dominant hand.\n116.4\nMinor injury to 1 or more of the fingers or the thumb\n0 to 5\nExample of the injury\nan uncomplicated fracture or soft tissue injury that has healed with minimal residual symptoms\nAdditional comment about appropriate level of ISV\nAn ISV at or near the bottom of the range will be appropriate if there is a straightforward fracture of 1 or more of the fingers, with complete resolution within a short time.\nAn ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if there has been—\na fracture causing minor angular or rotational malunion of the thumb, or index or middle finger, of the dominant hand; or\nsome adherence of a tendon following surgical repair, limiting full function of the digit.","sortOrder":186},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.117","sectionType":"section","heading":"Extreme hand injury","content":"### sch.3-sec.117 Extreme hand injury\n\nComment\n31 to 45\nThe injury will involve a severe traumatic injury to the hand, that may include amputation of part of the hand, causing gross impairment of the hand.\nA hand injury causing whole person impairment for the injury of 35% will generally fall within this item.\nExamples of the injury\nan injury reducing a hand’s capacity to 50% or less\nan injury involving the amputation of several fingers that are rejoined to the hand leaving it clawed, clumsy and unsightly\nan amputation of some fingers and part of the palm causing grossly reduced grip and dexterity and gross disfigurement\nAdditional comment about appropriate level of ISV\nAn ISV at or near the bottom of the range will be appropriate if the injured hand has some residual usefulness for performing activities of daily living.\nAn ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if the injured hand—\nhas little or no residual usefulness for performing activities of daily living; and\nis the dominant hand.","sortOrder":187},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.118","sectionType":"section","heading":"Serious hand injury","content":"### sch.3-sec.118 Serious hand injury\n\nExamples of the injury\n16 to 30\na severe crush injury causing significantly impaired function despite surgery\nserious permanent tendon damage\nAdditional comment about appropriate level of ISV\nAn ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if there is whole person impairment for the injury of 20%.","sortOrder":188},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.119","sectionType":"section","heading":"Moderate hand injury","content":"### sch.3-sec.119 Moderate hand injury\n\nExamples of the injury\n6 to 15\na crush injury, penetrating wound or deep laceration, requiring surgery\nmoderately serious tendon damage\na hand injury causing whole person impairment for the injury of between 5% and 12%","sortOrder":189},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.120","sectionType":"section","heading":"Minor hand injury","content":"### sch.3-sec.120 Minor hand injury\n\nExamples of the injury\n0 to 5\na soft tissue injury, or an injury that does not require surgery, with nearly full recovery of hand function","sortOrder":190},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-pt.6-div.8","sectionType":"division","heading":"Upper limb injuries, other than injuries mentioned in divs 3 to 7","content":"## Upper limb injuries, other than injuries mentioned in divs 3 to 7","sortOrder":191},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec-oc.22","sectionType":"section","heading":null,"content":"### Section sch.3-sec-oc.22\n\nComment about appropriate level of ISV for items 121 to 124\nAn ISV at or near the top of the range will generally only be appropriate if the injury is to the dominant upper limb.","sortOrder":192},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.121","sectionType":"section","heading":"Extreme upper limb injury, other than an injury mentioned in divs 3 to 7","content":"### sch.3-sec.121 Extreme upper limb injury, other than an injury mentioned in divs 3 to 7\n\nComment\n36 to 65\nThe injury will involve an extremely serious upper limb injury, falling short of amputation, leaving the injured person little better off than if the whole arm had been lost.\nExamples of the injury\na serious brachial plexus injury affecting peripheral nerve function\na non-union of a fracture, with peripheral nerve damage to the extent that an arm is nearly useless\nAdditional comment about appropriate level of ISV\nAn ISV at or near the bottom of the range will be appropriate if there is whole person impairment for the injury of 31%.\nAn ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if—\nthere is a complete brachial plexus lesion shown by a flail arm and paralysis of all muscles of the hand; and\nthe injury is to the dominant limb.\nAn ISV at or near the top of the range will also be appropriate if there is a serious crush injury that causes whole person impairment for the injury of 55%.","sortOrder":193},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.122","sectionType":"section","heading":"Serious upper limb injury, other than an injury mentioned in divs 3 to 7","content":"### sch.3-sec.122 Serious upper limb injury, other than an injury mentioned in divs 3 to 7\n\nExamples of the injury\n21 to 35\na serious fracture of the humerus, radius or ulna, or any combination of the humerus, radius and ulna, if there is significant permanent residual impairment of function\na brachial plexus injury requiring nerve grafts with partial recovery of shoulder and elbow function and normal hand function\nAdditional comment about appropriate level of ISV\nAn ISV at or near the bottom of the range will be appropriate if there is whole person impairment for the injury of 16%.\nAn ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if there is an injury to the dominant limb causing whole person impairment of 30%.","sortOrder":194},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.123","sectionType":"section","heading":"Moderate upper limb injury, other than an injury mentioned in divs 3 to 7","content":"### sch.3-sec.123 Moderate upper limb injury, other than an injury mentioned in divs 3 to 7\n\nExamples of the injury\n6 to 20\na fracture that causes impairment of associated soft tissues, including nerves and blood vessels\na fracture with delayed union or infection\nmultiple fractures of the humerus, radius or ulna, or multiple fractures of any combination of the humerus, radius and ulna\nAdditional comment about appropriate level of ISV\nAn ISV at or near the bottom of the range will be appropriate if there is whole person impairment for the injury of 6%.\nAn ISV in the lower half of the range will be appropriate if there is a complicated fracture of the humerus, radius or ulna, or any combination of the humerus, radius and ulna—\nrequiring open reduction and internal fixation; and\nfrom which the injured person has recovered or is expected to recover.\nAn ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if there is a crush injury causing significant skin or muscle loss with permanent residual impairment.\nAn ISV at or near the top of the range will also be appropriate if there is whole person impairment for the injury of 15%.","sortOrder":195},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.124","sectionType":"section","heading":"Minor upper limb injury, other than an injury mentioned in divs 3 to 7","content":"### sch.3-sec.124 Minor upper limb injury, other than an injury mentioned in divs 3 to 7\n\nExample of the injury\n0 to 5\nan uncomplicated fracture of the humerus, radius or ulna, or any combination of the humerus, radius and ulna, from which the injured person has fully recovered within a short time\nAdditional comment about appropriate level of ISV\nAn ISV at or near the bottom of the range will be appropriate if there are soft tissue injuries, lacerations, abrasions and contusions, from which the injured person will fully or almost fully recover.\nAn ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if there is a brachial plexus injury from which the injured person has substantially recovered within a few weeks, leaving some minor functional impairment.","sortOrder":196},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-pt.6-div.9","sectionType":"division","heading":"Pelvis or hip injuries","content":"## Pelvis or hip injuries","sortOrder":197},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec-oc.23","sectionType":"section","heading":null,"content":"### Section sch.3-sec-oc.23\n\nGeneral comment for items 125 to 128\nThe most serious injuries to the pelvis or hips can be as devastating as a leg amputation and will have similar ISVs.\nHowever, the appropriate ISV for other injuries to the pelvis or hips will generally be no higher than about 20.\nExamples of factors affecting ISV assessment for items 125 to 128\nexceptionally severe specific sequelae will increase the level of ISV\nthe availability of remedies, for example, a total hip replacement is an important factor in assessing an ISV\nage","sortOrder":198},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.125","sectionType":"section","heading":"Extreme pelvis or hip injury","content":"### sch.3-sec.125 Extreme pelvis or hip injury\n\nExamples of the injury\n46 to 65\nan extensive pelvis fracture\ndegloving\npermanent nerve palsies\nComment about appropriate level of ISV\nAn ISV at or near the bottom of the range will be appropriate if there is whole person impairment for the injury of 40%.\nAn ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if the injured person is not able to mobilise without a wheelchair and is relatively young.","sortOrder":199},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.126","sectionType":"section","heading":"Serious pelvis or hip injury","content":"### sch.3-sec.126 Serious pelvis or hip injury\n\nComment\n26 to 45\nThere will be substantial residual disability, for example, severe lack of bladder and bowel control, sexual dysfunction, or deformity making the use of 2 canes or crutches routine.\nExamples of the injury\na fracture dislocation of the pelvis involving both ischial and pubic rami\ntraumatic myositis ossificans with formation of ectopic bone around the hip\na fracture of the acetabulum leading to degenerative changes and leg instability requiring an osteotomy, with the likelihood of future hip replacement surgery\nComment about appropriate level of ISV\nAn ISV at or near the bottom of the range will be appropriate for an injury causing whole person impairment for the injury of 20%.","sortOrder":200},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.127","sectionType":"section","heading":"Moderate pelvis or hip injury","content":"### sch.3-sec.127 Moderate pelvis or hip injury\n\nExamples of the injury\n11 to 25\na significant pelvis or hip injury, with no major permanent disability\na hip fracture requiring a hip replacement\na fracture of the sacrum extending into the sacro-iliac joint causing ongoing significant symptoms and whole person impairment of at least 10%\nComment about appropriate level of ISV\nAn ISV at or near the bottom of the range will be appropriate if there is whole person impairment for the injury of 10%.\nAn ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if there is a fracture requiring a hip replacement that is only partially successful, so that there is a clear risk of the need for revision surgery.","sortOrder":201},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.128","sectionType":"section","heading":"Minor pelvis or hip injury","content":"### sch.3-sec.128 Minor pelvis or hip injury\n\nExamples of the injury\n0 to 10\nan uncomplicated fracture of 1 or more of the bones of the pelvis or hip that does not require surgery or cause permanent impairment\nundisplaced coccygeal fractures\nundisplaced or healed pubic rami fractures\nan injury to the coccyx for which surgery is required and is successfully performed\nComment about appropriate level of ISV\nAn ISV at or near the bottom of the range will be appropriate if there is a soft tissue injury from which the injured person fully recovers.\nAn ISV at or near the middle of the range will be appropriate if there is whole person impairment for the injury of 5%.\nAn ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if the person has ongoing coccydynia and difficulties with sitting.","sortOrder":202},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-pt.6-div.10","sectionType":"division","heading":"Amputation of lower limbs","content":"## Amputation of lower limbs","sortOrder":203},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec-oc.24","sectionType":"section","heading":null,"content":"### Section sch.3-sec-oc.24\n\nExamples of factors affecting ISV assessment for items 129 and 130\nthe level of each amputation\nseverity of any phantom pain\npain in the stumps\nextent of any ongoing symptoms","sortOrder":204},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.129","sectionType":"section","heading":"Loss of both lower limbs above or through the knee","content":"### sch.3-sec.129 Loss of both lower limbs above or through the knee\n\nComment about appropriate level of ISV\n55 to 70\nAn ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if each amputation is near the hips so neither stump can be used with a prosthesis.","sortOrder":205},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.130","sectionType":"section","heading":"Below the knee amputation of both lower limbs","content":"### sch.3-sec.130 Below the knee amputation of both lower limbs\n\nComment about appropriate level of ISV\n50 to 65\nAn ISV at or near the bottom of the range will be appropriate if there is whole person impairment for the injury of 48%.\nAn ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if—\nboth legs are amputated just below the knees leaving little or no stumps for use with prostheses; and\nthere is poor quality skin cover; and\nthere is a chronic regional pain syndrome.","sortOrder":206},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec-oc.25","sectionType":"section","heading":null,"content":"### Section sch.3-sec-oc.25\n\nExamples of factors affecting ISV assessment for items 131 and 132\nthe level of the amputation\nseverity of any phantom pain\nwhether there have been problems with a prosthesis, for example, pain and further damage to the stump","sortOrder":207},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.131","sectionType":"section","heading":"Above or through the knee amputation of 1 lower limb","content":"### sch.3-sec.131 Above or through the knee amputation of 1 lower limb\n\nComment about appropriate level of ISV\n35 to 50\nAn ISV at or near the bottom of the range will be appropriate if the amputation is through or just above the knee.\nAn ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if the amputation is near the hip and a prosthesis can not be used.","sortOrder":208},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.132","sectionType":"section","heading":"Below the knee amputation of 1 lower limb","content":"### sch.3-sec.132 Below the knee amputation of 1 lower limb\n\nComment about appropriate level of ISV\n31 to 45\nAn ISV at or near the bottom of the range will be appropriate in a straightforward case of a below-knee amputation with no complications.\nAn ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if there is an amputation close to the knee joint, leaving little or no stump for use with a prosthesis.","sortOrder":209},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-pt.6-div.11","sectionType":"division","heading":"Lower limb injuries, other than injuries mentioned in div 9 or 10 or divs 12 to 15","content":"## Lower limb injuries, other than injuries mentioned in div 9 or 10 or divs 12 to 15","sortOrder":210},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.133","sectionType":"section","heading":"Extreme lower limb injury, other than an injury mentioned in div 9 or 10 or divs 12 to 15","content":"### sch.3-sec.133 Extreme lower limb injury, other than an injury mentioned in div 9 or 10 or divs 12 to 15\n\nComment\n31 to 55\nThese are the most severe injuries short of amputation, leaving the injured person little better off than if the whole leg had been lost.\nExamples of the injury\nextensive degloving of the lower limb\nan injury causing gross shortening of the lower limb\na fracture that has not united despite extensive bone grafting\nserious neurovascular injury\na lower limb injury causing whole person impairment of 40%","sortOrder":211},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.134","sectionType":"section","heading":"Serious lower limb injury, other than an injury mentioned in div 9 or 10 or divs 12 to 15","content":"### sch.3-sec.134 Serious lower limb injury, other than an injury mentioned in div 9 or 10 or divs 12 to 15\n\nComment\n21 to 30\nRemoval of extensive muscle tissue and extensive scarring may have a significant enough impact to fall within this item.\nAn injury to multiple joints or ligaments causing instability, prolonged treatment and a long period of non-weight-bearing may have a significant enough impact to fall within this item, but generally only if those results are combined.\nExample of the injury\nmultiple complex fractures of the lower limb that are expected to take years to heal and cause serious deformity and serious limitation of mobility\nComment about appropriate level of ISV\nAn ISV at or near the bottom of the range will be appropriate if there is whole person impairment for the injury of 16%.\nAn ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if there is whole person impairment for the injury of 25%.","sortOrder":212},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.135","sectionType":"section","heading":"Moderate lower limb injury, other than an injury mentioned in div 9 or 10 or divs 12 to 15","content":"### sch.3-sec.135 Moderate lower limb injury, other than an injury mentioned in div 9 or 10 or divs 12 to 15\n\nExamples of the injury\n11 to 20\na fracture causing impairment of associated soft tissues, including nerves and blood vessels\na fracture with delayed union or infection\nmultiple fractures of the femur, tibia or fibula, or multiple fractures of any combination of the femur, tibia and fibula\nExamples of factors affecting ISV assessment\nperiod of non-weight-bearing\npresence or risk of degenerative change\nimperfect union of a fracture\nmuscle wasting\nlimited joint movement\nunsightly scarring\npermanently increased vulnerability to future damage\nComment about appropriate level of ISV\nAn ISV at or near the bottom of the range will be appropriate if there is whole person impairment for the injury of 10%.\nAn ISV at or near the middle of the range will be appropriate if there is a deep vein thrombosis requiring treatment for life.\nAn ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if there is whole person impairment for the injury of 15%.","sortOrder":213},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.136","sectionType":"section","heading":"Minor lower limb injury, other than an injury mentioned in div 9 or 10 or divs 12 to 15","content":"### sch.3-sec.136 Minor lower limb injury, other than an injury mentioned in div 9 or 10 or divs 12 to 15\n\nExample of the injury\n0 to 10\nan uncomplicated fracture of the femur, tibia or fibula, from which the injured person has fully recovered\nComment about appropriate level of ISV\nAn ISV at or near the bottom of the range will be appropriate if there is a deep vein thrombosis requiring treatment for less than 6 months, from which the injured person will fully recover.\nAn ISV at or near the bottom of the range will also be appropriate if—\nthere are soft tissue injuries, lacerations, cuts, bruising or contusions, from which the injured person will fully or almost fully recover; and\nany residual disability will be minor.\nAn ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if there is a deep vein thrombosis requiring treatment for at least 1 year.\nAn ISV at or near the top of the range will also be appropriate if the injured person is left with impaired mobility or a defective gait.\nAn ISV at or near the top of the range will also be appropriate if there is whole person impairment for the injury of 9%.","sortOrder":214},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-pt.6-div.12","sectionType":"division","heading":"Knee injuries","content":"## Knee injuries","sortOrder":215},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec-oc.26","sectionType":"section","heading":null,"content":"### Section sch.3-sec-oc.26\n\nGeneral comment for items 137 to 140\nThe availability of remedies, for example, a total knee replacement, is an important factor in assessing an ISV under this division.","sortOrder":216},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.137","sectionType":"section","heading":"Extreme knee injury","content":"### sch.3-sec.137 Extreme knee injury\n\nExample of the injury\n25 to 40\na severe knee injury if there is a disruption of the joint, gross ligamentous damage, loss of function after unsuccessful surgery, lengthy treatment and considerable pain\nComment about appropriate level of ISV\nAn ISV at or near the bottom of the range will be appropriate if there is whole person impairment for the injury of 20%.\nAn ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if a total knee replacement was needed and—\nit is very likely that the knee replacement will need to be repeated; or\nthere are ongoing severe symptoms, poor function and whole person impairment for the injury of more than 30%.","sortOrder":217},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.138","sectionType":"section","heading":"Serious knee injury","content":"### sch.3-sec.138 Serious knee injury\n\nComment\n11 to 24\nThe injury may involve—\nongoing pain, discomfort, limitation of movement, instability or deformity; and\na risk, in the long-term, of degenerative changes caused by damage to the joint surfaces, muscular wasting or ligamentous or meniscal injury.\nExample of the injury\na leg fracture extending into the knee joint, causing pain that is constant, permanent and limits movement or impairs agility\nComment about appropriate level of ISV\nAn ISV at or near the middle of the range will be appropriate if there is a ligamentous injury, that required surgery and prolonged rehabilitation, causing whole person impairment of 15% and functional limitation.","sortOrder":218},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.139","sectionType":"section","heading":"Moderate knee injury","content":"### sch.3-sec.139 Moderate knee injury\n\nExamples of the injury\n6 to 10\na dislocation or torn cartilage or meniscus causing ongoing minor instability, wasting and weakness\nComment about appropriate level of ISV\nAn ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if there is whole person impairment for the injury of 8%.","sortOrder":219},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.140","sectionType":"section","heading":"Minor knee injury","content":"### sch.3-sec.140 Minor knee injury\n\nExamples of the injury\n0 to 5\na partial cartilage, meniscal or ligamentous tear\na laceration\na twisting or bruising injury","sortOrder":220},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-pt.6-div.13","sectionType":"division","heading":"Ankle injuries","content":"## Ankle injuries","sortOrder":221},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec-oc.27","sectionType":"section","heading":null,"content":"### Section sch.3-sec-oc.27\n\nComment about appropriate level of ISV for items 141 to 144\nThe appropriate ISV for the vast majority of ankle injuries is 1 or 2.","sortOrder":222},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.141","sectionType":"section","heading":"Extreme ankle injury","content":"### sch.3-sec.141 Extreme ankle injury\n\nExamples of the injury\n21 to 35\na transmalleolar fracture of the ankle with extensive soft tissue damage causing 1 or more of the following—\nsevere deformity with varus or valgus malalignment;\na risk that any future injury to the relevant leg may lead to a below-knee amputation of the leg;\nmarked reduction in walking ability with constant dependence on walking aids;\ninability to place the relevant foot for even load-bearing distribution\nan ankylosed ankle in a severely misaligned position with severe ongoing pain and other debilitating complications\nwhole person impairment for the injury of more than 20%\nExamples of factors affecting ISV assessment\na failed arthrodesis\nregular disturbance of sleep\nneed for an orthosis for load bearing and walking","sortOrder":223},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.142","sectionType":"section","heading":"Serious ankle injury","content":"### sch.3-sec.142 Serious ankle injury\n\nExample of the injury\n11 to 20\nan injury requiring a long period of treatment, a long time in plaster or insertion of pins and plates, if—\nthere is permanent significant ankle instability; or\nthe ability to walk is severely limited on a permanent basis\nExamples of factors affecting ISV assessment\nunsightly scarring\nthe significance of any malunion\na requirement for modified footwear\nwhether, and to what degree, there is swelling following activity\nAdditional comment about appropriate level of ISV\nAn ISV at or near the bottom of the range will be appropriate if there is whole person impairment for the injury of 10%.\nAn ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if a major tendon controlling foot or ankle movement is severed.","sortOrder":224},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.143","sectionType":"section","heading":"Moderate ankle injury","content":"### sch.3-sec.143 Moderate ankle injury\n\nExample of the injury\n6 to 10\na fracture, ligamentous tear or similar injury causing moderate disability, for example—\ndifficulty in walking on uneven ground\nawkwardness on stairs\nirritation from metal plates\nresidual scarring\nAdditional comment about appropriate level of ISV\nAn ISV at or near the bottom of the range will be appropriate if there is whole person impairment for the injury of 6%.","sortOrder":225},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.144","sectionType":"section","heading":"Minor ankle injury","content":"### sch.3-sec.144 Minor ankle injury\n\nExample of the injury\n0 to 5\na sprain, ligamentous or soft tissue injury or minor or undisplaced fracture\nExamples of factors affecting ISV assessment\nwhether the injured person has fully recovered from the injury, and if not, whether there is any tendency for the ankle to give way\nwhether there is scarring, aching or discomfort","sortOrder":226},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-pt.6-div.14","sectionType":"division","heading":"Foot injuries","content":"## Foot injuries","sortOrder":227},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.145","sectionType":"section","heading":"Amputation of both feet","content":"### sch.3-sec.145 Amputation of both feet\n\nExamples of factors affecting ISV assessment\n32 to 65\nseverity of any phantom pain\npain in the stumps\nextent of any ongoing symptoms\nComment about appropriate level of ISV\nAn ISV at or near the bottom of the range will be appropriate if there are amputations of both feet at the forefoot (transmetatarsal level amputations).\nAn ISV of about 40 will be appropriate if there are amputations of both feet at the mid foot (tarsometatarsal level or Lisfranc amputations).\nAn ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if each amputation is at the level of the ankle (Syme’s amputation) and the stumps can not be used with prostheses.","sortOrder":228},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.146","sectionType":"section","heading":"Amputation of 1 foot","content":"### sch.3-sec.146 Amputation of 1 foot\n\nExamples of factors affecting ISV assessment\n20 to 35\nseverity of any phantom pain\npain in the stump\nextent of any ongoing symptoms\nComment about appropriate level of ISV\nAn ISV at or near the bottom of the range will be appropriate if the amputation is at the forefoot (transmetatarsal level amputation).\nAn ISV of about 26 will be appropriate if the amputation is at the mid foot (tarsometatarsal level or Lisfranc amputation).\nAn ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if the amputation is at the level of the ankle (Syme’s amputation) and the stump can not be used with a prosthesis.","sortOrder":229},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.147","sectionType":"section","heading":"Extreme foot injury that is not an amputation","content":"### sch.3-sec.147 Extreme foot injury that is not an amputation\n\nComment\n13 to 25\nThere will be permanent and severe pain or very serious permanent disability.\nExample of the injury\nan unusually severe foot injury causing whole person impairment of 15% or more, for example, a heel fusion or loss of the tibia-calcaneum angle\nComment about appropriate level of ISV\nAn ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if there is subtalar fibrous ankylosis in a severely malaligned position, ongoing pain and whole person impairment for the injury of 24%.","sortOrder":230},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.148","sectionType":"section","heading":"Serious foot injury","content":"### sch.3-sec.148 Serious foot injury\n\nExamples of the injury\n9 to 12\na severe midfoot deformity causing whole person impairment of 8%\na lower level loss of the tibia-calcaneum angle","sortOrder":231},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.149","sectionType":"section","heading":"Moderate foot injury","content":"### sch.3-sec.149 Moderate foot injury\n\nExample of the injury\n4 to 8\na displaced metatarsal fracture causing permanent deformity, with ongoing symptoms of minor severity, for example, a limp that does not prevent the injured person engaging in most daily activities","sortOrder":232},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.150","sectionType":"section","heading":"Minor foot injury","content":"### sch.3-sec.150 Minor foot injury\n\nExample of the injury\n0 to 3\na simple metatarsal fracture, ruptured ligament, puncture wound or similar injury\nComment about appropriate level of ISV\nAn ISV of 2 or less will be appropriate if there is a straightforward foot injury, for example, a fracture, laceration or contusions, from which the injured person will fully recover.","sortOrder":233},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-pt.6-div.15","sectionType":"division","heading":"Toe injuries","content":"## Toe injuries","sortOrder":234},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.151","sectionType":"section","heading":"Extreme toe injury","content":"### sch.3-sec.151 Extreme toe injury\n\nExamples of factors affecting ISV assessment for items 151.1 to 151.3\nwhether the amputation was traumatic or surgical\nextent of the loss of the forefoot\nresidual effects on mobility\n151.1\nAmputation of all toes\n8 to 20\nComment about appropriate level of ISV\nAn ISV at or near the middle of the range will be appropriate if the amputation is through the metatarsophalangeal joints (MTP joints) of all toes.\nAn ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if there is complete amputation of all toes and amputation of a substantial part of the forefoot.\n151.2\nAmputation of the great toe\n6 to 12\nExample of factor affecting ISV assessment for item 151.2\nthe level at which the amputation happens or any ongoing symptoms\nComment about appropriate level of ISV\nAn ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if there is complete loss of the great toe and ball of the foot caused by an amputation through the first metatarsal bone.\n151.3\nAmputation of individual lesser toes\n3 to 5\nExample of factor affecting ISV assessment for item 151.3\nthe level at which the amputation happens or any ongoing symptoms\nComment about appropriate level of ISV\nAn ISV at or near the bottom of the range will be appropriate if there is an amputation of 1 lesser toe and—\nthere is no ongoing pain; and\nthere is little or no loss of function of the foot; and\nthe cosmetic effect of the amputation is minor.\nAn ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if there is complete amputation of all lesser toes and part of the forefoot.","sortOrder":235},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.152","sectionType":"section","heading":"Serious toe injury","content":"### sch.3-sec.152 Serious toe injury\n\nComment\n8 to 12\nThe injury will cause serious and permanent disability.\nExamples of the injury\na severe crush injury causing ankylosis of the toes\na bursting wound, or an injury causing severe toe damage, with significant symptoms","sortOrder":236},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.153","sectionType":"section","heading":"Moderate toe injury","content":"### sch.3-sec.153 Moderate toe injury\n\nComment\n4 to 7\nThere will be permanent discomfort, pain or sensitive scarring.\nExamples of the injury\na moderate injury to the great toe\na crush injury causing multiple fractures of 2 or more toes\nComment about appropriate level of ISV\nAn ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if there has been more than 1 unsuccessful operation, or there are persisting stabbing pains, impaired gait or similar effects.","sortOrder":237},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.154","sectionType":"section","heading":"Minor toe injury","content":"### sch.3-sec.154 Minor toe injury\n\nExample of the injury\n0 to 3\na relatively straightforward fracture or soft tissue injury\nComment about appropriate level of ISV\nAn ISV of 1 will be appropriate if there is a straightforward fracture of 1 or more toes with complete resolution within a short time.","sortOrder":238},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-pt.6-div.16","sectionType":"division","heading":"Limb disorders","content":"## Limb disorders","sortOrder":239},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec-oc.28","sectionType":"section","heading":null,"content":"### Section sch.3-sec-oc.28\n\nGeneral comment\nThe ISV for a limb disorder must be assessed having regard to the item of this schedule that—\nrelates to the part of the body affected by the disorder; and\nis for an injury that has a similar level of adverse impact to the disorder.\nExamples of a limb disorder\ntenosynovitis (inflammation of synovial sheaths of tendons usually resolving with rest over a short period and sometimes leading to ongoing symptoms of loss of grip and dexterity)\nperipheral nerve injury (the constriction of the motor or sensory nerves or thickening of surrounding tissue, for example, carpal tunnel syndrome or sciatica)\nepicondylitis (inflammation around the elbow joint, for example, medially (golfer’s elbow) or laterally (tennis elbow))\nvascular disorders, for example, deep vein thrombosis\nExamples of factors affecting ISV assessment\nwhether the disorder is bilateral or one-sided\nthe level of pain, swelling, tenderness or crepitus or other symptoms\nthe capacity to avoid a recurrence of symptoms\nthe ability to engage in daily activities\nthe availability and likely benefit of surgery\nwhether the disorder is to a dominant or non-dominant limb","sortOrder":240},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-pt.7","sectionType":"part","heading":"Scarring to parts of the body other than the face","content":"# Scarring to parts of the body other than the face","sortOrder":241},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec-oc.29","sectionType":"section","heading":null,"content":"### Section sch.3-sec-oc.29\n\nGeneral comment\nThis part applies to external appearance and physical condition of the skin only, and includes scarring to the scalp, trunk and limbs.\nFacial scarring must be assessed under part 3 , division 2 .\nThis part does not apply to adhesions, or scarring, of internal organs.\nThis part will usually apply to an injury involving skeletal damage only if the skeletal damage is minor.\nMany of the physical injuries mentioned in this schedule involve some scarring from the initial injury and subsequent surgery, including skin grafting, to repair the injury and this has been taken into account in fixing the range of ISVs for the injuries.\nThe ISV range for an injury causing a closed fracture of a limb takes into account the potential need for open reduction and internal fixation of the fracture and the resulting surgical wound and scar.\nExamples of factors affecting ISV assessment for items 155.1 to 155.4\nlocation of a scar\nage\nadverse psychological reaction\nlikelihood of a scar fading or becoming less noticeable over time","sortOrder":242},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.155","sectionType":"section","heading":"Scarring to a part of the body other than the face","content":"### sch.3-sec.155 Scarring to a part of the body other than the face\n\n155.1\nExtreme scarring to a part of the body other than the face\n14 to 25\nComment about appropriate level of ISV\nAn ISV at or near the bottom of the range will be appropriate if there is—\nextensive scarring to 1 or more of the limbs and significant cosmetic disfigurement; and\neither—\nthe need to keep the limb or limbs covered or wear special clothing; or\nongoing limitation in the ability to participate in activities because of cosmetic disfigurement or functional impairment.\nAn ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if there is gross permanent scarring over an extensive area or areas of the body, with ongoing pain and other symptoms.\n155.2\nSerious scarring to a part of the body other than the face\n9 to 13\nComment\nThere is serious scarring—\nrequiring extensive medical treatment or surgery; and\ncausing significant ongoing limitation in the ability to participate in activities because of cosmetic disfigurement or functional impairment.\nExamples of the injury\nsignificant scarring over the upper and lower arm requiring skin grafting if—\nthere are post-operative complications requiring additional medical treatment for up to 18 months; and\nthere is maximum medical improvement within 2 years after the scarring is caused\nhypertrophic (keloid) scarring caused by a burn to the front of the neck, with an intermittent sensation of burning, itching or irritation\n155.3\nModerate scarring to a part of the body other than the face\n4 to 8\nExamples of the injury\nseveral noticeable scars that are hypertrophic (keloid)\na significant linear scar in an area of cosmetic importance, for example, the front of the neck\n155.4\nMinor scarring to a part of the body other than the face\n0 to 3\nExamples of the injury\nscarring caused by a superficial burn that heals within a few weeks and causes some minor change of pigmentation in a noticeable area\na single noticeable scar, or several superficial scars, to 1 or both of the legs, arms or hands, with some minor cosmetic damage","sortOrder":243},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-pt.8","sectionType":"part","heading":"Burn injuries","content":"# Burn injuries","sortOrder":244},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec-oc.30","sectionType":"section","heading":null,"content":"### Section sch.3-sec-oc.30\n\nGeneral comment\nThe ISV for a burn injury must be assessed having regard to the item of this schedule that—\nrelates to the part of the body affected by the burn injury; and\nis for an injury that has a similar level of adverse impact to the burn injury.\nBurns to the face must be assessed under part 3 , division 2 .\nIn burns cases, the ISV for an injury to a part of the body causing functional impairment will generally be at or near the top of the range for an injury to that part of the body.\nIn serious burns cases, the effects of scarring are more comprehensive and less able to be remedied than the effects of scarring from other causes.","sortOrder":245},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-pt.9","sectionType":"part","heading":"Injuries affecting hair","content":"# Injuries affecting hair","sortOrder":246},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.156","sectionType":"section","heading":"Extreme injury affecting head hair","content":"### sch.3-sec.156 Extreme injury affecting head hair\n\nExample of the injury\n11 to 15\ntotal permanent loss of head hair","sortOrder":247},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.157","sectionType":"section","heading":"Serious injury affecting head hair","content":"### sch.3-sec.157 Serious injury affecting head hair\n\nExample of the injury\n4 to 10\ndamage to head hair, caused by, for example, defective waving or tinting, if—\nthe physical effect of the damage is—\ndermatitis; or\ntingling or burning of the scalp, causing dry, brittle hair that breaks off or falls out, or both; and\nthe physical effect leads to depression, loss of confidence and inhibited social life\nComment about appropriate level of ISV\nAn ISV in the upper half of the range will be appropriate if—\nthinning continues and prospects of regrowth are poor; or\nthere is a partial loss of areas of hair and regrowth is slow.","sortOrder":248},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.158","sectionType":"section","heading":"Moderate injury affecting head hair or loss of body hair","content":"### sch.3-sec.158 Moderate injury affecting head hair or loss of body hair\n\nExamples of the injury\n0 to 3\nhair that has been pulled out leaving bald patches\nthe same example mentioned in item 157 but with fewer or only moderate symptoms\nExample of factor affecting ISV assessment\nlength of time before regrowth","sortOrder":249},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-pt.10","sectionType":"part","heading":"Dermatitis","content":"# Dermatitis","sortOrder":250},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.159","sectionType":"section","heading":"Extreme dermatitis","content":"### sch.3-sec.159 Extreme dermatitis\n\nExample of the injury\n11 to 20\npermanent dermatitis having a severe effect on employment and domestic capability, with some mental disorder","sortOrder":251},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.160","sectionType":"section","heading":"Serious dermatitis","content":"### sch.3-sec.160 Serious dermatitis\n\nExample of the injury\n8 to 10\ndermatitis that—\nlasts for years or indefinitely; and\ninvolves cracking and soreness; and\naffects employment and domestic capability; and\ncauses marked adverse psychological reaction","sortOrder":252},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.161","sectionType":"section","heading":"Moderate dermatitis","content":"### sch.3-sec.161 Moderate dermatitis\n\nExample of the injury\n3 to 7\ndermatitis lasting for a significant period, but settling with treatment or a change of personal conduct, or both","sortOrder":253},{"sectionNumber":"sch.3-sec.162","sectionType":"section","heading":"Minor dermatitis","content":"### sch.3-sec.162 Minor dermatitis\n\nExample of the injury\n0 to 2\nitching, skin irritation or a rash, alone or in combination, that resolves with treatment within a few months of the start of treatment","sortOrder":254},{"sectionNumber":"sch.4-pt.1","sectionType":"part","heading":"Explanation of the PIRS","content":"# Explanation of the PIRS","sortOrder":255},{"sectionNumber":"sch.4-sec.1","sectionType":"section","heading":"PIRS rates permanent impairment caused by mental disorder","content":"### sch.4-sec.1 PIRS rates permanent impairment caused by mental disorder\n\nThe PIRS stated in schedule 5 rates permanent impairment caused by a mental disorder.\nPIRS ratings are referred to in schedule 3 , part 2 . A PIRS rating is capable of being accepted by a court under schedule 2 , section 6 only if it is—\nassessed by a medical expert as required under this schedule and schedule 5 ; and\nprovided to the court in a PIRS report as required under section 12 .\n- (a) assessed by a medical expert as required under this schedule and schedule 5 ; and\n- (b) provided to the court in a PIRS report as required under section 12 .","sortOrder":256},{"sectionNumber":"sch.4-sec.2","sectionType":"section","heading":"Areas of functional impairment","content":"### sch.4-sec.2 Areas of functional impairment\n\nThe PIRS consists of 6 scales, each of which rates permanent impairment in an area of function.\nEach scale has 5 classes of impairment, ranging from little or no impairment to total impairment.\n(sch.4-sec.2-ssec.1) The PIRS consists of 6 scales, each of which rates permanent impairment in an area of function.\n(sch.4-sec.2-ssec.2) Each scale has 5 classes of impairment, ranging from little or no impairment to total impairment.","sortOrder":257},{"sectionNumber":"sch.4-pt.2","sectionType":"part","heading":"Assessment of PIRS rating","content":"# Assessment of PIRS rating","sortOrder":258},{"sectionNumber":"sch.4-sec.3","sectionType":"section","heading":"Medical expert must comply with requirements","content":"### sch.4-sec.3 Medical expert must comply with requirements\n\nA medical expert must comply with this schedule and schedule 5 in assessing a PIRS rating for a mental disorder of an injured person.\nThe medical expert may give an assessment only if the medical expert has examined the injured person.\n(sch.4-sec.3-ssec.1) A medical expert must comply with this schedule and schedule 5 in assessing a PIRS rating for a mental disorder of an injured person.\n(sch.4-sec.3-ssec.2) The medical expert may give an assessment only if the medical expert has examined the injured person.","sortOrder":259},{"sectionNumber":"sch.4-sec.4","sectionType":"section","heading":"How to assess a PIRS rating","content":"### sch.4-sec.4 How to assess a PIRS rating\n\nTo assess a PIRS rating for a mental disorder of an injured person, a medical expert must follow the steps stated in this section.\nSection 8 provides an example completed worksheet that could be used to assess a PIRS rating.\nStep 1—for each area of functional impairment stated in the PIRS, the medical expert must—\ndecide which level of impairment stated in the PIRS describes the level of impairment caused by the mental disorder of the injured person; and\nread off from the PIRS the class, for example, class 1, that corresponds to the level that has been decided.\nIn deciding which level to choose for an area of functional impairment, the medical expert—\nmust have regard to—\nthe examples of indicators of the level of impairment stated in the PIRS for the area to the extent they are relevant in a particular case; and\nall factors the medical expert considers relevant to the injured person’s level of impairment, including, for example, the injured person’s age and pre-existing functional capacity for the area; and\nmay have regard to the range of percentages of impairment stated in the PIRS for the area as a guide to the level of impairment.\nThe examples of impairment stated in the PIRS assume a full pre-existing functional capacity for the area which may not be appropriate in a particular case.\nStep 2—the medical expert must list the class number of the 6 classes read off under step 1 in ascending order.\nStep 3—the medical expert must work out the median of the class numbers (the median class score ) under section 6 .\nStep 4—the medical expert must work out the total of the class numbers (the total class score ) by adding together all of the class numbers.\nStep 5—from the conversion table in section 7 , the medical expert must read off the percentage impairment that corresponds to the particular median class score when found in conjunction with the particular total class score.\nSubject to section 5 , the percentage impairment is the PIRS rating assessed by the medical expert for the mental disorder of the injured person.\n(sch.4-sec.4-ssec.1) To assess a PIRS rating for a mental disorder of an injured person, a medical expert must follow the steps stated in this section. Section 8 provides an example completed worksheet that could be used to assess a PIRS rating.\n(sch.4-sec.4-ssec.2) Step 1—for each area of functional impairment stated in the PIRS, the medical expert must— decide which level of impairment stated in the PIRS describes the level of impairment caused by the mental disorder of the injured person; and read off from the PIRS the class, for example, class 1, that corresponds to the level that has been decided.\n(sch.4-sec.4-ssec.3) In deciding which level to choose for an area of functional impairment, the medical expert— must have regard to— the examples of indicators of the level of impairment stated in the PIRS for the area to the extent they are relevant in a particular case; and all factors the medical expert considers relevant to the injured person’s level of impairment, including, for example, the injured person’s age and pre-existing functional capacity for the area; and may have regard to the range of percentages of impairment stated in the PIRS for the area as a guide to the level of impairment. The examples of impairment stated in the PIRS assume a full pre-existing functional capacity for the area which may not be appropriate in a particular case.\n(sch.4-sec.4-ssec.4) Step 2—the medical expert must list the class number of the 6 classes read off under step 1 in ascending order.\n(sch.4-sec.4-ssec.5) Step 3—the medical expert must work out the median of the class numbers (the median class score ) under section 6 .\n(sch.4-sec.4-ssec.6) Step 4—the medical expert must work out the total of the class numbers (the total class score ) by adding together all of the class numbers.\n(sch.4-sec.4-ssec.7) Step 5—from the conversion table in section 7 , the medical expert must read off the percentage impairment that corresponds to the particular median class score when found in conjunction with the particular total class score.\n(sch.4-sec.4-ssec.8) Subject to section 5 , the percentage impairment is the PIRS rating assessed by the medical expert for the mental disorder of the injured person.\n- (a) decide which level of impairment stated in the PIRS describes the level of impairment caused by the mental disorder of the injured person; and\n- (b) read off from the PIRS the class, for example, class 1, that corresponds to the level that has been decided.\n- (a) must have regard to— (i) the examples of indicators of the level of impairment stated in the PIRS for the area to the extent they are relevant in a particular case; and (ii) all factors the medical expert considers relevant to the injured person’s level of impairment, including, for example, the injured person’s age and pre-existing functional capacity for the area; and\n- (i) the examples of indicators of the level of impairment stated in the PIRS for the area to the extent they are relevant in a particular case; and\n- (ii) all factors the medical expert considers relevant to the injured person’s level of impairment, including, for example, the injured person’s age and pre-existing functional capacity for the area; and\n- (b) may have regard to the range of percentages of impairment stated in the PIRS for the area as a guide to the level of impairment.\n- (i) the examples of indicators of the level of impairment stated in the PIRS for the area to the extent they are relevant in a particular case; and\n- (ii) all factors the medical expert considers relevant to the injured person’s level of impairment, including, for example, the injured person’s age and pre-existing functional capacity for the area; and","sortOrder":260},{"sectionNumber":"sch.4-sec.5","sectionType":"section","heading":"Assessment if pre-existing mental disorder","content":"### sch.4-sec.5 Assessment if pre-existing mental disorder\n\nIf an injured person has a pre-existing mental disorder, a medical expert must—\nwork out a percentage impairment for the pre-existing mental disorder at the time immediately before the injury using the steps stated in section 4 (the pre-injury rating ); and\nwork out a percentage impairment for the current mental disorder using the steps stated in section 4 (the post-injury rating ); and\nsubtract the pre-injury rating from the post-injury rating.\nThe remaining percentage impairment is the PIRS rating assessed by the medical expert for the mental disorder of the injured person.\nSee also section 11 .\n(sch.4-sec.5-ssec.1) If an injured person has a pre-existing mental disorder, a medical expert must— work out a percentage impairment for the pre-existing mental disorder at the time immediately before the injury using the steps stated in section 4 (the pre-injury rating ); and work out a percentage impairment for the current mental disorder using the steps stated in section 4 (the post-injury rating ); and subtract the pre-injury rating from the post-injury rating.\n(sch.4-sec.5-ssec.2) The remaining percentage impairment is the PIRS rating assessed by the medical expert for the mental disorder of the injured person. See also section 11 .\n- (a) work out a percentage impairment for the pre-existing mental disorder at the time immediately before the injury using the steps stated in section 4 (the pre-injury rating ); and\n- (b) work out a percentage impairment for the current mental disorder using the steps stated in section 4 (the post-injury rating ); and\n- (c) subtract the pre-injury rating from the post-injury rating.","sortOrder":261},{"sectionNumber":"sch.4-sec.6","sectionType":"section","heading":"How to work out a median class score","content":"### sch.4-sec.6 How to work out a median class score\n\nA median class score is the number that would fall at the middle point between the third class number and the fourth class number if all the class numbers are listed in ascending order.\nIf the median class score under subsection (1) is not a whole number, the median class score must be rounded up to the nearest whole number.\n(sch.4-sec.6-ssec.1) A median class score is the number that would fall at the middle point between the third class number and the fourth class number if all the class numbers are listed in ascending order.\n(sch.4-sec.6-ssec.2) If the median class score under subsection (1) is not a whole number, the median class score must be rounded up to the nearest whole number.","sortOrder":262},{"sectionNumber":"sch.4-sec.7","sectionType":"section","heading":"Conversion table","content":"### sch.4-sec.7 Conversion table\n\nThis section sets out the conversion table for use under section 4 .\nConversion table for percentage impairment\nMedian class score\n1\n2\n3\n4\n5\nTotal class score\n6\n0%\n7\n0%\n8\n1%\n9\n1%\n4%\n10\n2%\n5%\n11\n2%\n5%\n12\n2%\n6%\n13\n3%\n7%\n11%\n14\n3%\n7%\n13%\n15\n8%\n15%\n16\n9%\n17%\n17\n9%\n19%\n31%\n18\n10%\n22%\n34%\n19\n24%\n37%\n20\n26%\n41%\n21\n28%\n44%\n61%\n22\n30%\n47%\n65%\n23\n50%\n70%\n24\n54%\n74%\n25\n57%\n78%\n26\n60%\n83%\n27\n87%\n28\n91%\n29\n96%\n30\n100%","sortOrder":263},{"sectionNumber":"sch.4-sec.8","sectionType":"section","heading":"Example worksheet","content":"### sch.4-sec.8 Example worksheet\n\nThis section sets out an example of a completed worksheet that could be used to assess a PIRS rating for a mental disorder.\nArea of functional impairment\nClass\nSelf - care and personal hygiene\n1\nSocial and recreational activities\n2\nTravel\n3\nSocial functioning\n5\nConcentration, persistence and pace\n5\nAdaptation\n5\nList of class numbers in ascending order:\n1\n2\n3\n5\n5\n5\nMedian class score (using section 6 ):\n4\nTotal class score:\n21\nPercentage impairment (using conversion table in section 7 ):\n44%\nPIRS rating (if no pre-existing mental disorder):\n44%","sortOrder":264},{"sectionNumber":"sch.4-pt.3","sectionType":"part","heading":"Particular cases","content":"# Particular cases","sortOrder":265},{"sectionNumber":"sch.4-sec.9","sectionType":"section","heading":"Refusal of treatment","content":"### sch.4-sec.9 Refusal of treatment\n\nThis section applies if an injured person refuses treatment that could lead to a significant improvement in the level of permanent impairment caused by a mental disorder of the injured person.\nDespite the injured person’s refusal of treatment, a medical expert may assess a PIRS rating for the mental disorder of the injured person.\nThe refusal of treatment must not affect the medical expert’s assessment of the PIRS rating.\nThe medical expert must note the refusal of treatment in the PIRS report and state in the report the likely effect of treatment and any reasons known to the medical expert for the refusal of treatment.\nSubsection (6) applies if a PIRS report given to a court states that the injured person refuses treatment that could lead to a significant improvement in the level of permanent impairment caused by the mental disorder of the injured person.\nThe court may, in assessing the ISV for an injury or multiple injuries of the injured person, take into account the refusal of treatment and the matters stated in the PIRS report under subsection (4) .\nIn this section—\nPIRS report means a report under section 12 .\n(sch.4-sec.9-ssec.1) This section applies if an injured person refuses treatment that could lead to a significant improvement in the level of permanent impairment caused by a mental disorder of the injured person.\n(sch.4-sec.9-ssec.2) Despite the injured person’s refusal of treatment, a medical expert may assess a PIRS rating for the mental disorder of the injured person.\n(sch.4-sec.9-ssec.3) The refusal of treatment must not affect the medical expert’s assessment of the PIRS rating.\n(sch.4-sec.9-ssec.4) The medical expert must note the refusal of treatment in the PIRS report and state in the report the likely effect of treatment and any reasons known to the medical expert for the refusal of treatment.\n(sch.4-sec.9-ssec.5) Subsection (6) applies if a PIRS report given to a court states that the injured person refuses treatment that could lead to a significant improvement in the level of permanent impairment caused by the mental disorder of the injured person.\n(sch.4-sec.9-ssec.6) The court may, in assessing the ISV for an injury or multiple injuries of the injured person, take into account the refusal of treatment and the matters stated in the PIRS report under subsection (4) .\n(sch.4-sec.9-ssec.7) In this section— PIRS report means a report under section 12 .","sortOrder":266},{"sectionNumber":"sch.4-sec.10","sectionType":"section","heading":"Cognitive impairment","content":"### sch.4-sec.10 Cognitive impairment\n\nIf a medical expert assessing a PIRS rating for a mental disorder of an injured person suspects the injured person has a cognitive impairment, the medical expert must take into account the following factors—\nthe relevant medical history of the injured person;\nany medical treatment, and progress towards rehabilitation, for the cognitive impairment;\nany results of radiological scans, including CT and MRI scans, electroencephalograms and psychometric tests made available to the medical expert.\n- (a) the relevant medical history of the injured person;\n- (b) any medical treatment, and progress towards rehabilitation, for the cognitive impairment;\n- (c) any results of radiological scans, including CT and MRI scans, electroencephalograms and psychometric tests made available to the medical expert.","sortOrder":267},{"sectionNumber":"sch.4-sec.11","sectionType":"section","heading":"Pre-existing mental disorder","content":"### sch.4-sec.11 Pre-existing mental disorder\n\nIf a medical expert assessing a PIRS rating for a mental disorder of an injured person considers the injured person had a pre-existing mental disorder, the medical expert must—\nmake appropriate enquiry into the pre-existing mental disorder; and\nconsider any psychiatric or psychological reports made available to the medical expert.\n- (a) make appropriate enquiry into the pre-existing mental disorder; and\n- (b) consider any psychiatric or psychological reports made available to the medical expert.","sortOrder":268},{"sectionNumber":"sch.4-pt.4","sectionType":"part","heading":"Report of PIRS rating","content":"# Report of PIRS rating","sortOrder":269},{"sectionNumber":"sch.4-sec.12","sectionType":"section","heading":"Court to be given PIRS report","content":"### sch.4-sec.12 Court to be given PIRS report\n\nThis section applies if a party to a proceeding wants a court to accept a PIRS rating assessed by a medical expert for a mental disorder of an injured person.\nThe party must give the court a written report from the medical expert stating the following matters—\nthe mental disorder diagnosed by the medical expert;\nthe PIRS rating assessed by the medical expert for the mental disorder of the injured person;\nhow the PIRS rating was assessed, including—\nfor each area of functional impairment stated in the PIRS—\nthe relevant clinical findings; and\nthe level of impairment stated in the PIRS that the medical expert decided described the level of impairment caused by the mental disorder of the injured person; and\nthe class stated in the PIRS that corresponds to the level that was decided; and\nthe median class score and total class score worked out under section 4 ; and\nif the injured person had a pre-existing mental disorder, the information mentioned in subparagraphs (i) and (ii) in relation to the pre-injury rating and the post-injury rating as defined under section 5 ;\ndetails of any cognitive impairment of the injured person.\n(sch.4-sec.12-ssec.1) This section applies if a party to a proceeding wants a court to accept a PIRS rating assessed by a medical expert for a mental disorder of an injured person.\n(sch.4-sec.12-ssec.2) The party must give the court a written report from the medical expert stating the following matters— the mental disorder diagnosed by the medical expert; the PIRS rating assessed by the medical expert for the mental disorder of the injured person; how the PIRS rating was assessed, including— for each area of functional impairment stated in the PIRS— the relevant clinical findings; and the level of impairment stated in the PIRS that the medical expert decided described the level of impairment caused by the mental disorder of the injured person; and the class stated in the PIRS that corresponds to the level that was decided; and the median class score and total class score worked out under section 4 ; and if the injured person had a pre-existing mental disorder, the information mentioned in subparagraphs (i) and (ii) in relation to the pre-injury rating and the post-injury rating as defined under section 5 ; details of any cognitive impairment of the injured person.\n- (a) the mental disorder diagnosed by the medical expert;\n- (b) the PIRS rating assessed by the medical expert for the mental disorder of the injured person;\n- (c) how the PIRS rating was assessed, including— (i) for each area of functional impairment stated in the PIRS— (A) the relevant clinical findings; and (B) the level of impairment stated in the PIRS that the medical expert decided described the level of impairment caused by the mental disorder of the injured person; and (C) the class stated in the PIRS that corresponds to the level that was decided; and (ii) the median class score and total class score worked out under section 4 ; and (iii) if the injured person had a pre-existing mental disorder, the information mentioned in subparagraphs (i) and (ii) in relation to the pre-injury rating and the post-injury rating as defined under section 5 ;\n- (i) for each area of functional impairment stated in the PIRS— (A) the relevant clinical findings; and (B) the level of impairment stated in the PIRS that the medical expert decided described the level of impairment caused by the mental disorder of the injured person; and (C) the class stated in the PIRS that corresponds to the level that was decided; and\n- (A) the relevant clinical findings; and\n- (B) the level of impairment stated in the PIRS that the medical expert decided described the level of impairment caused by the mental disorder of the injured person; and\n- (C) the class stated in the PIRS that corresponds to the level that was decided; and\n- (ii) the median class score and total class score worked out under section 4 ; and\n- (iii) if the injured person had a pre-existing mental disorder, the information mentioned in subparagraphs (i) and (ii) in relation to the pre-injury rating and the post-injury rating as defined under section 5 ;\n- (d) details of any cognitive impairment of the injured person.\n- (i) for each area of functional impairment stated in the PIRS— (A) the relevant clinical findings; and (B) the level of impairment stated in the PIRS that the medical expert decided described the level of impairment caused by the mental disorder of the injured person; and (C) the class stated in the PIRS that corresponds to the level that was decided; and\n- (A) the relevant clinical findings; and\n- (B) the level of impairment stated in the PIRS that the medical expert decided described the level of impairment caused by the mental disorder of the injured person; and\n- (C) the class stated in the PIRS that corresponds to the level that was decided; and\n- (ii) the median class score and total class score worked out under section 4 ; and\n- (iii) if the injured person had a pre-existing mental disorder, the information mentioned in subparagraphs (i) and (ii) in relation to the pre-injury rating and the post-injury rating as defined under section 5 ;\n- (A) the relevant clinical findings; and\n- (B) the level of impairment stated in the PIRS that the medical expert decided described the level of impairment caused by the mental disorder of the injured person; and\n- (C) the class stated in the PIRS that corresponds to the level that was decided; and","sortOrder":270}],"analysis":{"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":8,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The schedule's content and procedural rules implement its stated objective—to promote consistency and similarity in general‑damages assessments—by providing ISV ranges, multi‑injury rules and a detailed PIRS methodology (sch.2‑sec.1; sch.3; sch.4). There is no internal text that widens or removes those objectives; the instrument confines scope to assessment mechanics, evidentiary form and judicial regard, rather than adding new categories of liability or altering who may recover."},"complexity_factors":["Very large, granular catalogue of body‑part injuries with distinct numeric ISV ranges (sch.3) increases classification complexity","Multiple‑injury adjustment rules with an absolute cap and a ‘rarely >25%’ uplift that triggers a requirement for detailed written reasons (sch.2‑sec.4)","PIRS calculation requires multi‑step statistical conversion (class selection, median and total class scores, conversion table) (sch.4‑sec.4, sch.4‑sec.6, sch.4‑sec.7)","Medical evidence and report requirements: experts must examine the patient, follow schedules, and include detailed clinical findings and calculation methodology (sch.4‑sec.3; sch.4‑sec.12; sch.2‑sec.11)","Rules on weighting medical assessments (greater weight to AMA 5–based WPI assessments and to formal PIRS reports) create evidentiary hierarchy (sch.2‑sec.12; sch.2‑sec.13)","Interactions with pre‑existing conditions and cognitive impairment require subtraction, enquiries and additional reporting (sch.2‑sec.7; sch.4‑sec.5; sch.4‑sec.10‑11)","Judicial discretion is constrained but present: courts must have regard to schedule examples and may consider other matters, producing case‑specific application complexity (sch.2‑sec.8‑9)","Cross‑references across multiple Parts, medical standards (AMA 5) and external procedure rules raise compliance and procedural coordination burdens (sch.2‑sec.11; sch.2‑sec.12)"],"plain_english_summary":"This regulation sets standardized ranges of injury severity values (ISVs) for many defined injuries and requires courts to consider those ranges when awarding general damages, with special rules for multiple injuries and caps (sch.2‑sec.2–4; sch.3).  It also prescribes how permanent psychiatric impairment (PIRS) is calculated, reported by medical experts and given weight in court, affecting injured people, defendants/insurers who pay awards, courts’ discretion and medical reporting obligations (sch.4‑sec.4; sch.4‑sec.12)."},"issue_detection":{"absurdities":[],"contradictions":[]},"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"Unauthenticated. Configure AI_GATEWAY_API_KEY or use a provider module. Learn more: https://ai-sdk.dev/unauthenticated-ai-gateway","source":"analysis-cron"},"summary":{"complexity_score":8,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The regulation appears consistent with its stated objectives: standardising and promoting consistency in general damages assessments across Queensland courts. The detailed injury tables, scoring rules, and procedural requirements for medical evidence all serve this core purpose. There is no apparent scope creep — the regulation does not extend into areas such as economic loss, liability determination, or other heads of damage."},"complexity_factors":["Extremely large volume of content — covers virtually every body part and injury type with specific numerical ranges","Nested scoring rules: single injury vs. multiple injuries vs. extreme multiple injuries each operate under different rules","Requires cross-referencing between multiple schedules (Schedule 2, 3, 4, 5, 6) and external documents (AMA 5, PIRS, Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 1999)","Interaction between physical and psychiatric injuries requires careful categorisation — psychological reactions to physical injuries are treated differently from standalone mental disorders","Technical medical terminology throughout (PIRS ratings, AMA 5 criteria, binaural hearing loss percentages, whole person impairment percentages, Le Fort fractures, etc.)","Mandatory vs discretionary provisions are intertwined — courts MUST consider some things and MAY consider others, creating a layered decision-making structure","The 25% cap on exceeding the dominant ISV maximum introduces proportional calculations that interact with the hard cap of 100","Medical report requirements contain their own sub-rules about what must and must not be included, with further procedural rules in external legislation","Dominant injury determination is not defined procedurally — requires judicial judgment, creating interpretive uncertainty","Pre-existing condition rules add another analytical layer to nearly every injury assessment"],"plain_english_summary":"This Queensland regulation establishes an Injury Scale Value (ISV) system (0–100) courts must use to assess general damages for pain, suffering and loss of life quality. It standardises scoring for virtually all injuries, sets how multiple injuries and pre‑existing conditions are treated, and limits expert doctors to clinical findings (not proposing ISVs).  \n\nIt affects injured claimants, defendants, judges, lawyers and medical experts and aims to make awards fairer and more predictable across cases."},"kimi_summary":{"_metrics":{"completionTokens":599},"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":8,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The legislation appears consistent with its original purpose as a damages assessment framework. The detailed injury schedules and PIRS methodology represent the established scope of civil liability quantification, not an expansion beyond it."},"complexity_factors":["Extensive cross-referencing between schedules (Schedules 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6)","Multiple nested calculation methodologies (ISV scale, PIRS 6-scale system with median/total class scores, conversion tables)","Conditional logic for multiple injuries with percentage-based uplifts and written reasons thresholds","Dual-track assessment systems for physical injuries (AMA 5) versus mental disorders (PIRS)","Granular injury taxonomy with 150+ specific injury items across 10 body system parts","Defined terms scattered across schedules requiring navigation (e.g., 'maximum dominant ISV', 'PIRS rating', 'whole person impairment')","Procedural requirements for medical reports with specific exclusions on what can be stated"],"plain_english_summary":"This regulation sets out how Queensland courts must calculate **general damages** (compensation for pain, suffering and loss of enjoyment of life) in personal injury cases.\n\n**What it does:**\n- Creates a **standardised scale** called an **ISV** (Injury Scale Value) from 0 to 100 for different types of injuries\n- Provides **detailed tables** (Schedule 3) matching specific injuries to ISV ranges — for example, quadriplegia (75–100), minor ankle sprain (0–5), or loss of a thumb (15–28)\n- Requires courts to use these ranges to promote **consistency** in awards across similar cases\n\n**Key rules for courts:**\n- **Single injury:** Use the ISV range for that specific injury\n- **Multiple injuries:** Focus on the \"dominant\" injury (the most serious one), but can increase the ISV up to 25% above the maximum for that injury — or higher in exceptional cases (capped at 100)\n- **Psychological reactions** to physical injuries are treated as part of the injury, not separate claims\n- **Pre-existing conditions:** Only the *worsening* caused by the injury can be considered\n\n**Mental disorders:** Uses a separate assessment tool called **PIRS** (Psychiatric Impairment Rating Scale) — a medical expert rates 6 areas of function, and the result is converted to a percentage that maps to ISV ranges\n\n**Medical evidence:**\n- Doctors must use **AMA 5** (American Medical Association guidelines) for assessing physical impairment\n- Reports must explain how percentages were calculated but **cannot** state the ISV directly\n\n**Who it affects:** Anyone claiming personal injury damages in Queensland courts, their lawyers, judges, and medical experts preparing impairment assessments"}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/civil-liability-regulation-2025","history":"/api/acts/civil-liability-regulation-2025/history","analysis":"/api/acts/civil-liability-regulation-2025/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/civil-liability-regulation-2025/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/civil-liability-regulation-2025/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/civil-liability-regulation-2025/documents"}}