If a 17-year-old is injured and the minimum for temporary disability applies, which statement about the permanent disability rate is correct?

• A. IW is under 16 at DOI
• B. PD is over 70%
• C. PD is 50%
• D. Injury results in death

Answer: (B)

In California workers’ compensation, permanent disability is not determined by impairment alone; it is adjusted by the worker’s age. Younger workers receive a higher age-adjustment factor, which increases the permanent disability percentage to reflect more years of potential work life affected. For a 17-year-old, this age factor commonly raises the PD rating well above 70%, even if the impairment rating isn’t extreme. That’s why the statement that the permanent disability rate is over 70% fits correctly with how the system values long-term impact for a very young injured worker.

The other ideas don’t fit the scenario: being under 16 at the date of injury isn’t accurate here since the individual is 17; the PD rating isn’t simply 50% due to age, and death isn’t indicated by the information given.