Benefits and money
Permanent disability, in plain English
Permanent disability (PD) pays you for lasting limitations from a work injury once your condition stops improving. A doctor measures your impairment, the impairment is converted into a PD rating (a percentage) that accounts for your age and occupation, and the rating determines how many weeks of PD you receive. For injuries on or after Jan. 1, 2013, PD is paid at $160 to $290 a week for most ratings; 100% means permanent total disability, paid for life.
When PD comes up
PD is decided after your treating doctor (or a QME/AME) finds you permanent and stationary, also called maximum medical improvement. The doctor's report describes your lasting impairment using the AMA Guides (5th edition) and lists your work restrictions and future medical needs.
How a rating is built
- Whole person impairment (WPI). The doctor gives a percentage for each injured body part.
- Adjustment. For injuries since 2013, WPI is multiplied by 1.4 (LC §4660.1).
- Occupation and age. The Permanent Disability Rating Schedule adjusts for how much the impairment affects someone in your job and at your age.
- Combining. Multiple body parts are usually combined, not added.
- Apportionment. If part of the disability was caused by something other than this work injury (for example a prior injury or degenerative condition), that share may be subtracted.
The final rating is a percentage, and the law converts it into a number of weeks of payment. Higher ratings get disproportionately more weeks.
How PD is paid
- Payments usually start within 14 days after TD ends, as advances based on a reasonable estimate, even before the final rating is agreed.
- For 2013-and-later injuries, the weekly rate is two-thirds of your AWW, but no less than $160 and no more than $290 for most ratings (DWC table).
- Your case may end with a Stipulated Award or Compromise and Release.
If you don't have an attorney
Unrepresented workers can ask the DWC Disability Evaluation Unit (DEU) for a summary rating of the QME's report, and can object to it. DWC Information & Assistance officers can explain the rating to you for free.
Why ratings get disputed
Small changes in a medical report can move a rating a lot. Common disputes include which impairment method the doctor used, whether all body parts were rated, whether psychiatric or sleep complaints add to the rating, and how much is apportioned to other causes. This is the point where many injured workers decide to talk to an attorney.
This guide explains the process only. We don't estimate PD ratings or settlement values here; those depend on detailed medical findings.
What to do next
- Ask for a copy of every medical report, including the P&S report.
- Check that every injured body part is addressed.
- Read rating and benefit notices closely; objection windows are short.
- Before signing any settlement, read C&R vs. Stipulated Award.
Sources
- DWC fact sheet: Permanent disability benefits (PDF)
- DWC: Workers' compensation benefits and current rates (2026 table)
- California Labor Code §4658 (permanent disability)
- California Labor Code §4660.1 (permanent disability rating)
- California Labor Code §4650 (timing of payments; late-payment increase)
- DWC Guidebook for Injured Workers
Official sources checked November 2026. Laws and rates change; check the source for the latest version.
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Every case is different. For free help from the state, call the DWC Information & Assistance unit at 1-800-736-7401.