Work comp: Disability benefits -- permanent partial disability (PPD)

Permanent partial disability (PPD) benefits are payable for the permanent functional loss of use of the body based upon a disability schedule. For example, an amputation of a body part or some surgeries will result in an additional payment of a permanent partial disability benefit.

Since 1984, PPD ratings have been assigned as a percentage of disability to the body as a whole. The PPD schedule is used when determining the rating. The total percentage rating is multiplied by a specific dollar amount or a number of weeks to determine the benefits that are payable. Ratings cannot exceed 100 percent of the whole body for any one injury. Permanent partial disability benefits can be paid concurrently with temporary partial disability (TPD) and permanent total disability (PTD) benefits, but not with temporary total disability (TTD) benefits.

Resources

• PPD schedules

• Benefits payable for PPD

• Basic Adjusters' Training Guide

Time of payment

PPD is usually paid when TTD ends and when the employee reaches maximum medical improvement (MMI). If the benefits are being paid periodically following the payment of TTD, or concurrently with the payment of TPD, the payments must be continued without interruption at the same intervals that the TTD benefits were paid. If a rating has not been received when an employee reaches MMI, the insurer must request an assessment of PPD from the treating doctor.