For an injury to the knee January 15, 2011, to a cook 38 years of age, after you adjust for occupation what does the rating do for the age?

• A. -2%
• B. +0%
• C. +2%
• D. +4%

Answer: (B)

In California workers’ compensation ratings, you apply three factors to determine the final permanent disability: the impairment rating, any occupation adjustment, and an age modifier. The age modifier is a percentage added to or subtracted from the rating based on the worker’s age at the time of injury. For a knee injury in a cook who is 38 years old, the age modifier falls in a range that yields no adjustment, so the age does not change the rating. In other words, the impact of age is 0%, meaning the final rating remains the same after accounting for age.