A permanent disability is any lasting disability from a work injury or illness that affects a worker’s ability to earn a living. If the worker’s injury or illness results in a permanent disability, they’re entitled to Permanent Disability benefits, even if they’re able to go back to work.
Permanent disability benefits are designed to compensate for residual physical or mental impairments resulting from an industrial injury. An injured worker may receive Permanent Disability benefits if:
Permanent and Stationary means the worker reached maximal medical improvement, or a point at which the injury can’t heal further.
This is determined by the injured worker’s doctor, and is reported in the doctor’s Permanent and Stationary Report.
Items in the report include:
The law defines the amount of Permanent Disability benefits that can be paid. The calculation of those benefits are determined by a number of factors, including:
If an injured has a permanent disability, they may receive the total amount of Permanent Disability benefits spread over a fixed number of weeks at a rate set by law.
The rate of pay and number of payable weeks, which are determined by law, depend on the level of permanent disability.
For more information about Permanent Disability, refer to the Division of Workers' Compensation guidebook.