In the Colles fracture case of a 21-year-old baker, the permanent disability percentage is:

• A. 13 percent
• B. 14 percent
• C. 17.1 percent
• D. 18.2 percent

Answer: (C)

Permanent disability in California workers’ compensation is based on a fixed schedule that assigns a specific whole-person impairment percentage to particular injuries. For a Colles fracture (a distal radius fracture of the wrist), the schedule places typical residual wrist impairment in a range that corresponds to about 17.1% permanent disability. In this scenario, the 21-year-old baker’s age and occupation are considered in the overall disability assessment, but the injury itself maps to the 17.1% category, which explains why that option is the best choice. The other percentages reflect less or more severe impairment than a standard Colles fracture with typical residual dysfunction.