Permanent Partial Disability Benefits: Introduction

When an injury at work place disables a body part of an individual permanently such that the person becomes unable to do his normal function, then it is termed as permanent partial disability (PPD); such a person is eligible for permanent partial disability benefits. In simpler terms, PPD refers to the loss of a body part’s usage. Money is settled to such a person based on the percentage rating of his permanent partial disability.

Uses of PPD

Due to PPD, a person will not be able to do the same work he was doing prior to the injury but will be able to do an alternate work. This may reduce the income possibilities or earning capacity of that worker, which is compensated by the PPD benefits. When a person gets such a disability, his compensation is determined after conducting an independent medical examination (IME). This IME can rate the degree of disability based on the level of damage done to the working ability. After this rating, the disabled worker will start to receive PPD benefits regularly.

Calculation of PPD Benefit

PPD benefit is calculated by multiplying two thirds of your average weekly salary with PPD percentage and certain number of weeks. This number of weeks depends on the injured body part. For example, if the right leg is damaged, the number of weeks used is 175.

PPD benefit can expressed by means of this simple formula:

PPD benefit = PPD Percentage × 2/3 Average Weekly Income × Number of Weeks

When to Claim for PPD Benefit?

You can claim this PPD benefit only if your medical treatment has reached a point where further improvement to the injured body part cannot be achieved. This has to be certified by the physician(s) who have treated you thus far. Functional capacity evaluation has to be done by a physical therapist who rates the injured body part. Then the insurer or employer should agree to this rating and sign the forms along with you. After this, the benefits are paid to you as weekly checks. It can, however, be obtained as a lump sum if you agree to a discount in the amount. This lump sum mode is not advisable as it reduces the amount significantly.

This information is just an introduction to Permanent Partial Disability Benefits. If you want to claim for one, consult an attorney experienced in disability claims so that it works in your favor.