Many calculators are built around broad assumptions: average wages, typical treatment timelines, and “standard” injury patterns. Real Garden City claims often include variables those tools can’t see, such as:
- How your job is actually performed on-site (lifting, standing, driving routes, ladder work, repetitive tasks)
- Whether your injury is tied to an event (a slip, fall, or equipment incident) or a gradual condition (repetitive strain)
- Whether your medical providers document restrictions clearly enough for the insurer to evaluate impairment
- Whether your symptoms are consistent from the first visit through follow-up appointments
Even if a calculator produces a reasonable range, it can be misleading if your injury is medically complex, if causation is disputed, or if your wage/benefit history doesn’t match what the tool assumes.


