Permanent
Disability Benefits

The Law Office of Alice A. Strömbom helps workers through the workers’ compensation process after they’re hurt on the job in Sacramento. There’s different levels of benefits with your claim, but one of the most serious involves a permanent injury or disability. WIth permanent disability benefits, it’s going to come down to how serious your injuries are and how strong your claim is. Our team can make sure you get what you need. Set up a free consultation today.

What Are Permanent Disability Benefits?

Getting hurt at work is never easy—but things feel very different when the injury is serious. It’s even more overwhelming if you can’t go back to your job at all. The truth is, the same injury can affect workers in very different ways. For one person it might mean a short recovery, while for another it could end a career. That’s when permanent disability benefits become important. Under California’s workers’ comp system, permanent disability is split into two categories:

• Partial Permanent Disability (PPD) – If you have a partial permanent disability, it means you can still work, but not at the same level you did before your injury. Maybe you can’t lift heavy boxes anymore, stand on your feet for long shifts, or safely run certain machines. In that case, workers’ comp can provide benefits to make up for the loss in your earning ability. How much you receive depends on how severe your condition is, how it impacts your specific job, and how long your doctor expects those limitations to last.
• Total Permanent Disability (TPD) – Total permanent disability is much more serious. This is when your injury or illness keeps you from working in any job at all—now or in the future. For example, if you suffered a severe spinal cord injury or a traumatic brain injury, you might not be able to safely perform any kind of work again. In those cases, workers’ comp benefits are meant to provide long-term financial support, often for life, since you’ve lost your ability to earn a paycheck.

Obviously, there’s never an ideal scenario where you have to get benefits for a permanent disability. And while you can get benefits, it’s heavily dependent on how your disability is evaluated.

How Does Workers’ Comp Decide Between Partial and Total Disability?

For as serious as permanent disability is, there’s still a process in place for figuring out how injured you are and what benefits you should be getting. Generally, it’s up to the following:

• Medical evaluation – After you get hurt, a doctor will examine you to see how much lasting damage there is. This is different from temporary disability, which only applies while you’re recovering.

• Getting a rating – The doctor’s report is used to give you a “disability rating,” expressed as a percentage. This number shows how much your ability to work has been reduced. For instance, a 20% rating might mean you can still work, but not without limits. A rating close to 100% usually means you’re considered totally disabled.

• Looking at your limitations – Your rating isn’t the only factor. Other things like your age, the kind of work you do, and your skills are taken into account to see if you can keep doing your old job—or if you might be able to do something else.

• Disputes and adjustments – Sometimes your doctor and the insurance company don’t see eye to eye on your rating. When that happens, you may need an independent review—or help from a lawyer—to make sure the number reflects your real situation.

It can feel like a lot to go through, but the disability rating matters because it plays a big role in deciding what type of permanent disability benefits you’ll be able to get. But there’s something that’s equally as important–your evidence.

What Evidence Can Give Me an Accurate Disability Rating?

Your disability rating is one of the most important pieces of your workers’ comp claim—because it’s going to directly impact the benefits you’ll get. But like any type of claim, the best way to get the most out of your claim is to provide strong evidence. And this is especially true when you’re facing a permanent disability. Here’s what can give you an accurate rating:

• Medical records and reports – Every doctor’s note, test result, X-ray, MRI, prescription, and physical therapy report tells a part of your story. These records don’t just track your treatment; they show what your injury is doing to your life each day. The more detailed and up-to-date they are, the more accurately your disability rating will reflect your situation.

• Accident details – Write down when and where the injury occurred, what equipment or tools were involved, and any unsafe conditions you noticed. The clearer your account, the easier it is to tie your injury to your job and show the real impact it has on you.

• Work history and job demands – Think about your daily work routine too—what tasks you normally do, how long your shifts are, and the physical demands of your job. A shoulder injury might be a small inconvenience for someone at a desk, but for a warehouse worker lifting boxes or running a forklift all day, it can completely change what you’re able to do. Notes like this help doctors and the workers’ comp system understand your limitations.

• Statements and visual evidence – If anyone saw the accident or the conditions leading up to it, ask them to write down what they remember. Even short emails or quick notes from coworkers can strengthen your claim. And if you can safely take photos or videos of the accident scene, equipment, or hazards, they provide a clear picture of what you faced.

• Employer communications – Save any emails, forms, or messages reporting the injury, as well as any instructions or responses from supervisors. This shows you followed proper reporting procedures and reinforces the legitimacy of your claim.

• Daily impact records – Keep a journal of how your injury affects your daily life and work. Simple notes about pain, limited movement, or difficulty completing tasks can give doctors a fuller picture of your impairment.

Every piece of evidence helps paint an accurate picture of your injury and how it affects your ability to work. The more organized and detailed you are, the better the chance your disability rating truly reflects what you’ve been through, and what disability benefits you get.