Which statement best describes employer liability for permanent disability (PD)?

• A. The ER pays the entire amount of PD regardless of cause.
• B. The ER is liable only for the percentage of PD directly caused by the injury.
• C. The ER pays PD regardless of the injury's role.
• D. The ER is not liable for PD.

Answer: (B)

In California workers’ compensation, permanent disability is allocated between factors that are work-related and factors that are non-work (like preexisting conditions). The employer isn’t responsible for the entire PD amount; they’re liable only for the portion of PD that is caused by the work injury. If medical evidence shows that only part of the impairment is due to the injury, the employer pays just that portion, and the rest is considered non-industrial impairment. For example, if a worker has a 40% PD rating and medical opinion determines that 50% of that impairment is due to the work injury, the employer would be responsible for 20% PD. This apportionment principle explains why the correct statement says the employer is liable only for the percentage of PD directly caused by the injury.