A 46 year old electric arc furnace operator is limited to light work as a result of silicosis. what is the level of permanent disability?

• A. 22%
• B. 25%
• C. 30%
• D. 58%

Answer: (D)

Permanent disability in California workers’ compensation is determined by the Permanent Disability Rating Schedule, which converts the level of impairment and any work restrictions into a single PD percentage. When silicosis causes significant lung impairment and the worker is limited to light or sedentary work, the rating uses both the severity of impairment and the loss of earning capacity from not being able to perform more demanding work. For a 46-year-old operator with silicosis who can only do light work, this combination often falls into the upper end of the scale, resulting in a relatively high PD percentage. In this scenario, that high rating lands at 58%, reflecting substantial impairment plus the impact on employability. The lower percentages would correspond to milder impairment or fewer restrictions, which doesn’t fit the given situation.