Permanent Partial Disability

What Does Permanent Partial Disability Mean?

A permanent partial disability results from an illness or injury that causes partial, but not complete, disability. This means that a person with a permanent partial disability can still perform some, but not all, of their usual work functions, or they may perform them in a limited capacity.

Worker’s compensation often provides coverage for this type of disability. Because workers comp only pays out for job-related conditions, some workers also buy separate disability insurance to replace income lost to off-the-job injuries or illnesses that leave them partially impaired.

Insuranceopedia Explains Permanent Partial Disability

Many injuries and illnesses can qualify as permanent partial disabilities. Examples include carpal tunnel syndrome, hearing loss, nerve damage, loss of vision in one eye, and the loss of a finger or hand, among others.

The benefits paid to a person with a permanent partial disability depend largely on the severity of the disability. Generally, the more severe the disability, the higher the payments.