Permanent Partial Disability

Example

“After losing two fingers in a workplace accident, the employee was classified with a 15% permanent partial disability and received ongoing weekly benefits in addition to his reduced work wages.”

Memory Tip

PPD = Partial work, Partial pay - you can still work partially, so you get partial ongoing benefits.

Why It Matters

PPD benefits provide crucial long-term financial support for workers who suffer permanent injuries that reduce their earning capacity but don't prevent all work. These benefits help bridge the income gap between pre-injury earnings and reduced post-injury earning potential, often for the rest of the worker's career.

Common Misconception

Workers often think PPD benefits will fully replace their lost earning capacity, but these benefits are typically calculated as a percentage of average weekly wages and may not cover the full difference between pre- and post-injury income. The benefits are meant to partially compensate for the permanent impairment, not necessarily make the worker financially whole.

In Practice

Construction worker Mike injures his back and is rated at 25% permanent partial disability. His pre-injury wage was $800 per week. He can return to light-duty work earning $500 per week. His PPD benefits might pay $150 per week (calculated as a percentage of his pre-injury wage times the disability rating) for a specified number of weeks, in addition to his reduced work income of $500, giving him total weekly income of $650.

Etymology

This workers' compensation term developed in the early 20th century as industrial accident law evolved to provide specific classifications and compensation schedules for different types and degrees of work-related injuries.

Common Misspellings

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