Claim resolution
There has been a decline in the total number of PPD awards. One factor contributing to this decline is the resolution of initial claims by claim disposition agreements (CDAs). Injured workers who accept CDAs release their rights to potential future nonmedical benefits in exchange for a lump-sum cash award. Workers can also resolve disputed conditions with disputed claim settlements (DCSs). They receive cash awards in exchange for the denial of the compensability of medical conditions or the denial of these conditions as being the major continuing cause of the need for treatment. (See the Disputes portion of this report for more information).