The employee's right major index finger fails to clear the mid-palm on active flexion by 3/4 inch and there is a 25% weighted grip loss. What is the percentage of permanent disability?

• A. 2%
• B. 4%
• C. 5%
• D. 7%

Answer: (C)

In this type of rating, you combine separate impairment factors into a single hand/permanent disability percentage rather than simply adding them. First, identify the impairment from the finger test: when the major index finger fails to clear the mid-palm on active flexion by 3/4 inch, this specific motion loss corresponds to a small fixed impairment for that finger (here, 2%).

Next, translate the grip weakness into an impairment value for the hand. A 25% weighted grip loss is assigned a hand-impairment value of 3%.

To get the overall permanent disability, use the combined-value formula: you add the two impairments and subtract their product divided by 100. So: 2% + 3% − (2% × 3%)/100 = 4.94%, which rounds to 5%.

Therefore the overall permanent disability percentage is 5%.