Permanent disability with a rating less than 100 percent is called:

• A. Permanent total disability
• B. Permanent partial disability
• C. Temporary total disability
• D. Permanent residual disability

Answer: (B)

Understanding how disability status is classified in California workers’ compensation: there are permanent conditions that either do or do not render a person unable to work. When a disability is permanent but does not amount to a 100% impairment, it is described as permanent partial disability. This fits the scenario of a lasting impairment with some remaining work capacity, hence a rating less than 100 percent. A permanent total disability would mean a 100% rating and total loss of work ability. Temporary total disability is used for a condition that temporarily disables the worker with expectation of recovery. The term permanent residual disability is not the standard classification used here, and the correct, widely accepted term for a lasting but not total impairment is permanent partial disability.