In workers' compensation terminology, what does PD stand for?

• A. Permanent Disability
• B. Personal Disability
• C. Partial Disability
• D. Probable Disability

Answer: (A)

PD stands for permanent disability. In workers’ compensation, this term describes a fixed impairment that remains after treatment has ended and the worker has reached maximum medical improvement, meaning it’s not expected to get better with further care. This permanent condition is what triggers permanent disability benefits, with the amount tied to an impairment rating and the state’s schedule for awarding a monetary value.

It’s different from temporary disability, which covers time away from work while recovering, and from the broader spectrum of disability types that include permanent total disability (PTD) for someone unable to work at all. The other choices aren’t standard terms in this context, and while “permanent partial disability” (often abbreviated PPD) is related, the shorthand PD specifically means permanent disability.