Permanent partial disability is a workers’ compensation benefit paid when a work injury leaves you with a lasting impairment, but you can still do some kind of work. In plain terms, permanent partial disability covers the part of your body or earning power you lost for good, even after you heal as much as you will. Most injured workers reach this stage after treatment ends. However, the impairment never fully goes away. This guide explains what it is, who gets it, and how the dollars are figured.
What Permanent Partial Disability Means
A permanent partial disability is a lasting loss that is only partial. You are not fully disabled. However, you will not fully recover either. For example, a warehouse worker crushes a hand. After surgery and therapy, the hand works at 70%. That missing 30% is permanent. As a result, the state owes a benefit for that loss.
States split these injuries into two groups. The first is a “schedule loss of use” (SLU). This covers arms, legs, hands, feet, fingers, toes, eyes, and ears. The second is a “non-schedule” loss. This covers the back, neck, head, lungs, and similar body parts.
Schedule losses use a fixed list of weeks. Non-schedule losses look at how much your earning power dropped. In most cases, your doctor assigns an impairment percentage at the end of treatment. That number drives everything.
How Permanent Partial Disability Is Calculated
The math is simpler than it looks. First, your state law assigns a set number of weeks to each body part. Second, you take your impairment percentage. Third, you multiply. Then you apply your weekly benefit rate, which is two-thirds of your average weekly wage, up to the state cap.
In New York, for example, the maximum weekly rate is $1,222.42 for injuries from July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026. It rises to $1,281.50 for the following year. The table below shows New York’s scheduled weeks and a worked example at a $600 weekly comp rate.
| Body part (total loss of use) | NY scheduled weeks | Value at $600/week |
|---|---|---|
| Arm | 312 | $187,200 |
| Leg | 288 | $172,800 |
| Hand | 244 | $146,400 |
| Foot | 205 | $123,000 |
| Eye | 160 | $96,000 |
| Thumb | 75 | $45,000 |
Here is a real example. Say you have a 25% schedule loss of use of your arm. The arm is worth 312 weeks. So 25% × 312 = 78 weeks. At a $600 weekly rate, that is 78 × $600 = $46,800. These figures are illustrative, and every case is different. Your weeks, percentage, and rate will set your own number.
Who Qualifies and How Long It Lasts
You qualify once you reach maximum medical improvement, called MMI. MMI means your condition is as good as it will get. Your doctor then rates your permanent impairment. Until you hit MMI, you usually receive temporary benefits instead, not permanent partial disability.
A schedule award lasts for the set number of weeks. It does not depend on whether you return to work. For example, an 78-week arm award is paid out over that span, or sometimes as a lump sum. As a result, you can collect it even while earning wages.
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Non-schedule permanent partial disability works differently. In New York, it can last up to 525 weeks, based on your loss of wage-earning capacity. Many states cap these awards by statute. However, the exact limit varies widely. Confirm your state’s rule with the workers’ comp board and a licensed attorney.
How Permanent Partial Disability Fits Into Your Overall Claim
Permanent partial disability is one piece of a larger claim. Your medical care is separate. Your earlier temporary wage benefits are separate too. The PPD award is meant to pay for the lasting damage, on top of those.
Many claims end in a settlement. The insurer offers a lump sum to close the case. Your permanent partial disability value is the backbone of that offer. For example, a higher impairment percentage usually means a larger settlement. Typically, the parties negotiate around the scheduled weeks and your rate.
Be careful before you sign. A settlement may close your right to future medical care. Settlement estimates are illustrative only, and every case is different. As a result, you may want a licensed attorney to review any offer first. You may be entitled to more than the first number offered.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is permanent partial disability the same as permanent total disability?
No. Permanent partial disability means you can still do some work. Permanent total disability means you cannot work at all. The total version usually pays more and can last much longer. Your doctor’s rating and your state’s rules decide which one applies.
Can I work while receiving a schedule loss award?
In most cases, yes. A schedule loss of use award is based on the body part, not your job status. So you can often return to work and still receive it. Non-schedule awards may be reduced by what you now earn. Confirm with your state board.
How do I know my impairment percentage?
Your treating doctor assigns it once you reach MMI. Many states use medical guidelines to set the number. You can ask for a copy of the report. If you disagree, you may be entitled to a second opinion. A licensed attorney can help you challenge a low rating.
See your state’s exact numbers
What you are owed depends on your state’s benefit caps and deadlines. Start with your state’s settlement and claim guides for the exact figures.
Sources & How to Verify
The figures on this page come from official government and industry sources. Workers’ comp benefit caps, deadlines, and rules change, so always confirm the exact figure with your state’s workers’ comp board or a licensed attorney before acting. Settlement estimates are illustrative, and every case is different.
- Your state workers’ comp board, division, or commission: the official source for your state’s exact caps, deadlines, and forms — search “[your state] workers compensation board”
- U.S. Department of Labor (OWCP): dol.gov — federal workers’ compensation overview
- NCCI: ncci.com — workers’ comp rating and benefit data
- Social Security Administration: ssa.gov — benefit-cap and SSDI offset data
- Insurance Information Institute: iii.org — neutral workers’ comp background
Content last reviewed June 2026. If you notice an outdated figure, please contact us.
Related Guides
- Workers Comp Settlements by State (All 50)
- Workers Comp Claims by State (All 50)
- More in This Category
- Settlements by Injury
- Benefits Explained
- Workers Comp Glossary
Informational only — not legal, medical, or financial advice. Workers Comp Explained is an independent educational resource, not a law firm, insurer, or medical or financial advisor, and this page does not provide legal, medical, or financial advice. Workers’ compensation benefits, deadlines, and rules vary by state and change over time, and settlement estimates are illustrative only. Always confirm the exact figure and any deadline with your state’s workers’ compensation board and a licensed attorney before you act.