Tag: Calculator

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Sep
1
2009
Author, Calculators, Design, PDRater, Subscription Features, Technobabble, User Interface, Website Updates

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Dont worry, its not your fault
Don't worry, its not your fault

Yesterday I received an e-mail from a beta tester, Jeff Duarte, who was having trouble with one of my calculators.  He said that he didn’t really understand how to use a particular calculator.  My response was:

The problem is not you, its me.  :)  If I designed my calculator better you wouldn’t have any questions.

Seriously – sorry Jeff, its my bad.  My goal is to make these calculators so easy and intuitive to use that no workers’ compensation professional would have any trouble figuring out how to use them.  If you don’t figure out how to use it just by looking at it, I designed it wrong. 1 Getting feedback is a very important and instructive process for me.  It lets me figure out what works for people and what doesn’t.

The good news is that Jeff”s suggestions have given me an idea on how to make two calculators easier to use and for two entirely new features!

So, send me an e-mail if you have an idea on how I can make a calculator more intuitive, easier to use, or just plain work better!

The problem is not you, its me.  :)  If I designed my calculator better you wouldn’t have any questions!
  1. Photo courtesy of TreMichLan.  Terrible pun – all me! [↩]
Aug
21
2009
Calculators, PDRater, Technobabble, Website Updates

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This guinea pigs finds PDRater easy to use!
This guinea pigs finds PDRater easy to use!

I have several new calculators in the works and could use a few guinea pigs to help test them.  A few days ago I sent an e-mail to a select few of this website’s users asking them to participate.  As a result of their testing and feedback, I’ve made a few changes to these new calculators.

However, I’d also appreciate the help of anyone interested in testing.  If you are willing to provide feedback and want to try out these new calculators, please send me an e-mail.

Aug
12
2009
Calculators, PDRater, Subscription Features, Technobabble, User Interface, Workers Compensation Resources

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Social Security Number Validator powered by Verify!
Social Security Number Validator powered by Verify!(R)

As promised!  A new calculator!

Well, check out my new social security number online search tool, powered by Verify.com.  It has some pretty cool features.  You can Verify!®:

  • whether a social security number is in a valid format
  • what year a social security number was issued
  • in what state the social security number was issued
  • whether the person to whom the social security number has passed away
Aug
11
2009
Business, Calculators, Marketing, PDRater, Subscription Features, Technobabble, Website Updates, Workers Compensation Resources

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Hey everyone! More workers compensation calculators!
Hey everyone! More workers' compensation calculators!

I’m working on several more workers compensation calculators.  I’m really excited about one of them in particular. 1

I’ve been working to develop calculators and search engines that are easier to use, easier to understand, and make them available to everyone for less than my competitors.  One benefit to doing it all myself is that I can innovate faster than anyone else.  For instance, my wildly popular Ogilvie calculator was available to beta testers just days after the Ogilvie case came out.

But, this new calculator is something entirely new.  Tantalized?  Titilated?  Tremulous?

Stay tuned!

  1. Photo courtesy of Wal mink [↩]
Aug
7
2009
2005 PDRS, AMA Guides, DFEC Rebuttal, Downloads, Free, Ogilvie, PDRater, Technobabble, Workers Compensation Resources

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lincolnblues
Even this guy can do the Ogilvie adjustment calculation in his head

If you’re using my Ogilvie calculator for situations involving a 100% earnings loss, you’re working too hard. 1

If you have 100% earnings loss and WPI less than 45, the Ogilvie adjustment formula will always result in WPI + 18.

Not to worry.  I can make Ogilvie even easier:

  1. [Download not found].
  2. [Download not found]!

The Ogilvie mathematical proof has been available for several weeks for peer review.  I’ve only received positive feedback.2  The above Ogilvie Adjustment Chart has been testing by myself and other workers’ compensation attorneys, but like everything else on this site is provided subject to all legal disclaimers.

Here’s a peek at what they look like:

Ogilvie Mathematical Proof
Ogilvie Mathematical Proof

Ogilvie Adjustment Chart
Ogilvie Adjustment Chart
  1. Photo courtesy of lincolnblues [↩]
  2. An anonymous source from the DWC actually called it “cool”! [↩]
Apr
1
2009
2005 PDRS, Calculators, Ogilvie, PDRater, Permanent Partial Disability, Technobabble, Website Updates, Workers Compensation Resources

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Thank you for the feedback!
Thank you for the feedback!

I was recently sent feedback about the Ogilvie DFEC rebuttal calculator on this website. 1  Here’s how I’ve incorporated that feedback:

  1. Inputs. The calculator results repeats the inputs with the results.  This ensures that the answer provided gives you enough context when showing the calculation to the other side or when you go back to review your file.
  2. Email. You can now e-mail your calculations to yourself.
  3. Links. I’ve added a link to the various Employment Development Department and U.S. Dept of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics inside the calculator itself.  It doesn’t automatically obtain the information, but hopefully you will find this helpful.

There are two other issues I’m thinking about:

  1. An easy way to pull up the FEC rank of a particular body part.  Its kind of a pain to look up the body part, find the FEC rank, and then enter that into the calculator.  I’m thinking ways to simplify this process.  This shouldn’t be too bad to write.
  2. Rating using the Ogilvie DFEC adjusted whole person impairment.  This one will prove to be a difficult one to write in an intuitive fashion.

How would you change these calculators?  What else would you like to see?  What do you hate about them?  Shoot me an e-mail or leave a comment!

  1. Photo courtesy of biketrouble [↩]
Mar
28
2009
1997 PDRS, 2005 PDRS, Almaraz / Guzman, Average Weekly Wage, Business, Calculators, COLA, Combined Values Chart, EAMS, Free, Life Pension, Ogilvie, PDRater, Permanent Disability Rating Schedule, Permanent Partial Disability, Permanent Total Disability, PHP, SAWW, Subscription Features, Technobabble, Temporary Partial Disability, Temporary Total Disability, Wage Loss, Website Updates, Wordpress, Workers Compensation Resources

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Getting an upgrade!
Getting an upgrade!

Late last week a user asked for a new feature.1  He wanted to be able to perform the Ogilvie DFEC rebuttal calculation and have the results e-mailed to him.2 Well, I built it!3

To e-mail yourself a calculation, perform the calculation as normal.  When the website returns your calculation, it will say “E-mail Me!”  Just click that button and it will send an e-mail to the address you used to register for this website.

However, here’s the cool part:  I’ve installed this new e-mail system into every calculator! 4 No more having to copy and paste!  Just click one button and your calculation will show up in your inbox!5

Although I intend this to be a paid-subscription-only feature, I am going to leave it open for all users while I get some feedback.  So, what do you think?  Please leave a comment or shoot me an e-mail!

  1. Thanks Dennis! [↩]
  2. Photo courtesy of Vernhart [↩]
  3. Why, what did you do with your Saturday morning? [↩]
  4. I haven’t installed it in some of the EAMS lookup functions [↩]
  5. If you filled in the boxes for Applicant, WCAB #, and File #, it will include this information in your e-mail as well.  This is only for your convenience and not a requirement. [↩]
Mar
17
2009
Almaraz / Guzman, Author, Business, Calculators, Case Law, COLA, Free, Ogilvie, PDRater, SAWW, Technobabble, Website Updates, Workers Compensation Resources

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Indy 500
Indy 500

Wow!  500 registered users!

Last month I mentioned that this website had a record number of new visitors.  I honestly thought that was an anomalous one day spike in traffic.  Instead we’ve had a sustained increase in new visitors and people signing up to use the workers’ compensation calculators for free.

Since February 13, 20091 I’ve enjoyed posting about:

Ever since I relaunched this website I’ve had this idea in the back of my mind that getting to 500 users would be a big deal.  There are literally hundreds of workers’ compensation professionals who rely on this website and its calculators to make their lives a little easier.  This certainly feels like a big deal to me.

  1. When the 400th user registered. [↩]
  2. I am keeping this calculator in beta testing until I get a little more feedback.  If you want to try it out, just drop me a line! [↩]
Feb
16
2009
2005 PDRS, AMA Guides, Calculators, Combined Values Chart, Downloads, Free, PDRater, Workers Compensation Resources

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Combined Values Chart for the 2005 PDRS
Combined Values Chart for the 2005 PDRS

A few weeks ago I posted about the Multiple Disabilities Table for combining disabilities with injuries prior to 2005.

For injuries after 2005 we must turn to the 2005 Permanent Disability Rating Schedule.  When combining disabilities for injuries after 2005 there are several possible alternatives.  You can:

  1. In case you’re wondering, the chart on the right is a super-condensed version of the Combined Values Chart on pages 8-2 through 8-4. [↩]
  2. Honestly, I don’t recommend this.  It wasn’t fun. [↩]
Feb
13
2009
Calculators, Case Law, Laptop, Ogilvie, PDRater, Technobabble, Website Updates, Workers Compensation Resources

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1955 Packard 400
1955 Packard 400

February has been a wacky month.  And, on Friday February 13th the 400th user registered for this website. 1 Since the 300th registered user, quite a lot has happened:

  1. Photo courtesy of atxbill [↩]
  2. Trust me, its easier than it sounds… [↩]
  3. I have several more of these planned [↩]