The new PDRS was adopted on Jan. 1, 2005. The statute states that the new schedule will apply to any case, regardless of date of injury, unless a comprehensive medical-legal report was issued, a treating doctor’s report indicating permanent disability has issued, or the employer has issued a notice regarding disability at the time of last payment of temporary disability. The new schedule is based on the American Medical Association (AMA) guidelines. These guidelines are very conservative. They are based on objective findings, such as an MRI or EMG. For example, if you do not have loss of range of motion, or a positive MRI, but do have back pain, you can end up with very little permanent disability, as the schedule only provides for a maximum of 3% disability for pain.