A permanent partial disability finding after a workplace injury can affect your life and career trajectory. When your workers’ compensation case includes an assessment of permanent partial disability, you should understand what that means for your future employment options.
There are several things to know about permanent partial disability.
Defining permanent partial disability
When you suffer a work-related injury, the aftermath can extend far beyond the immediate pain and recovery period. Permanent partial disability refers to a situation where you experience lasting impairment. Despite that impairment, you can still perform some work duties. Every case receives an impairment rating. It represents the level of disability associated with your injury.
Compensating for permanent partial disability
A permanent partial disability diagnosis often triggers a workers’ compensation settlement. The settlement can help mitigate the financial effects of your injury. The amount you receive depends on many factors, including the severity of the impairment, your age and the effect of the condition on your earning capacity.
Exploring vocational rehabilitation
In some cases, a permanent partial disability is enough to keep you from your prior work but not enough to keep you out of the workplace. In those cases, you can pursue vocational rehabilitation to help you develop skills for a new industry or work environment.
Statistics show that more than 6.7 million adults in California have a disability. Your disability finding after a workplace injury may alter the course of your professional journey, but it does not have to derail everything. Understanding the basics about this disability finding and the workers’ compensation process will help you argue for the compensation that you deserve.