special subjects
Overview of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
Assessment of Disability
OEM doctors are frequently asked to assess disability in a worker. In the United States, various organizations (such as the Social Security Disability System, Civil Service Retirement, state worker's compensation programs, and state and Railroad Retirement Board) have regulations that establish whether a worker is disabled and whether the disabled worker should receive disability benefits. During these assessments, OEM doctors determine Which organs are impaired How severe and long-lasting the impairment is Whether function in a body part has been lost Whether the worker is disabled (unable to do activities, including activities necessary for employment) because of an impairment 