What is a Schedule Loss of Use (SLU) Award?

A Schedule Loss of Use (SLU) award is a lump-sum payment for permanent partial loss of use of scheduled body parts under New York Workers’ Compensation Law §15(3). Scheduled body parts include the arm (312 weeks), leg (288), hand (244), foot (205), eye (160), thumb (75), index finger (46), and others. The 2018 New York Impairment Guidelines drive the SLU percentage from range-of-motion deficits, surgical history (with minimum values for specific procedures), instability findings, and special considerations like CRPS or hardware retention. The math: SLU percentage × the body-part’s week value × your weekly indemnity rate equals the lump sum, less any weeks already paid as temporary disability.

Lump-sum money for permanent injury to specific body parts. The math is statutory; the percentage is medical.

TL;DR

• Schedule Loss of Use (SLU) is a lump-sum payment for permanent partial loss of use of scheduled body parts under WCL §15(3).
• Scheduled body parts include arms (312 weeks), legs (288 weeks), hands (244 weeks), feet (205 weeks), eyes (160 weeks), thumb (75), and others — see SLU body-part pages.
• Non-scheduled body parts (back, neck, head, psych, internal injuries) do not get SLU; they get classification benefits instead.
• The formula: SLU % × week value × weekly rate = lump sum (less weeks already paid as TTD/TPD).

The schedule

WCL §15(3) schedules these body parts with these week values:

A scheduled body part injury that produces permanent partial loss of use yields a percentage of the week value, multiplied by the weekly indemnity rate, paid as a lump sum.

How the percentage is set

The 2018 NY Impairment Guidelines drive the percentage from:

• Range of motion deficits
• Surgical history (with minimum values for specific procedures)
• Instability findings
• Strength loss
• Sensory loss
• Special considerations (CRPS, hardware, atrophy, gait, etc.)

The treating physician issues a permanency report (C-4.3) with an opinion on percentage. The carrier obtains an IME opinion on percentage. If the two differ, the case proceeds to resolution — settlement or testimony hearing.

Example calculation

A subway operator with a rotator cuff tear, repaired arthroscopically, returns to work. Treating physician opines 30% SLU on the right arm. IME opines 15%.

• Worker’s AWW = $1,800/week → indemnity rate = $1,200 (capped at $1,222.42 max)
• 312-week arm value × $1,200 = $374,400 at 100%
• 30% SLU = $112,320
• 15% SLU = $56,160

Each percentage point of difference: 312 × 0.01 × $1,200 = $3,744. Negotiation on each point matters.

Non-schedule injuries — classification

Back, neck, head, psych, and internal injuries don’t have SLU. Instead, they receive classification benefits — ongoing weekly indemnity based on permanent impairment percentage and loss of wage-earning capacity. See Classification.

Some injuries involve both scheduled and non-scheduled body parts (a back-and-shoulder injury). Each track applies to the relevant body part.

Calculator

The SLU Estimator does the math for shoulder and knee with the 2018 Guidelines. Other body parts are on the roadmap.

What to do next

If you have a permanent injury to a scheduled body part, the SLU percentage is the negotiating ground. Contact me directly.

Related pages

• Schedule Loss of Use — shoulder
• Schedule Loss of Use — knee
• Schedule Loss of Use — hand and finger
• Schedule Loss of Use — foot and ankle
• Schedule Loss of Use — hearing
• Non-schedule classification
• Facial Disfigurement Awards