A workplace injury can really change one’s life. Some injuries fully heal, but others do not. They leave a lasting impact. That is where Permanent Partial Disability benefits, aka PPD benefits, come in. These benefits help individuals who can still work but not in the same way or as much as they could before their injury.
What does “Permanent Partial Disability” Mean?
Permanent partial disability means the person has a lasting injury that limits him, but not such as to completely stop him from working or living normally. Permanent partial disability benefits in workers’ compensation cases are very important, especially if the accident was caused by someone else’s negligence.
For example, if a construction worker loses a finger, they can still work, but maybe not as easily. If a teacher hurts their back, they can teach but may need special support or cannot stand for extensive periods of time.
Why Do PPD Benefits Exist?
PPD benefits exist to help injured workers get some financial support when they can’t do their jobs the same way anymore. These benefits come under the heading of workers’ compensation, a system designed to help employees who get hurt while working.
If you get injured at work performing your job, your employer’s insurance should help you recover both medically and financially.
PPD benefits step in when the injury doesn’t completely heal, but you’re still able to work in some capacity. It’s a way to thank and protect the workers who got hurt while on the job.
How Do PPD Benefits Work?
When a worker completes their medical treatment and the doctor releases them, determining that the injury or condition is healed to the extent it can be, the doctor assesses the person for any remaining permanent damage.
If there is, then the doctor will give them an impairment rating, which represents a percentage of the severity of that disability. For example:
- Losing part of a finger might be a 5% impairment
- A back injury might be 20%
- Losing a leg could be 50% or more
The higher the percentage, the more money the worker can get in PPD benefits.
How the Payments Are Calculated
How much a person gets is based on a few factors:
- Type of injury: Some parts of the body are deemed more “valuable” for work-related purposes than others.
- The impairment rating.
- The worker’s average weekly wage before the injury.
All states and countries have their own rules and charts for calculating PPD payments, but all are designed to provide fair compensation to injured employees.
Types of PPD Benefits
There are two major types of PPD benefits:
- Scheduled injuries: These are for specific body parts – arms, legs, hands, or eyes.
- Unscheduled Injuries: These are for other injuries that do not fit well in the chart, such as back, brain, and internal injuries.
What PPD Benefits Don’t Cover
It’s also important to know what PPD benefits don’t do. They don’t usually pay for:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Future medical bills
- Lost income beyond the set benefit period
Why PPD Benefits Matter?
PPD is important in that it provides a safety net for injured workers. It helps cover lost income, pays bills, and keeps life moving even when things just don’t go back to normal.
Without them, many workers would face financial hardship after a severe injury on the job. These benefits are proof that workers count and their sacrifices on the job are worthy of protection and care.
Conclusion
Permanent Partial Disability benefits are in place to:
- Help individuals who have been injured on the job but can still perform some type of work.
- They don’t replace a full paycheck, but they do make life a little easier when one’s body just isn’t quite the same as it was before.
Guest writer
Editor’s note: Labour legislation differs from country to country so readers are advised to check with legal practitioners in their country for legal advice that is relevant to their circumstances.
