Permanent Total Disability
A permanent total disability exists when an injured employee’s disability is such that he or she cannot compete in the job market. This does not necessarily mean the employee is helpless. Rather it means an inability to compete reasonably. Handling permanent total disability cases is similar to handling permanent partial disability cases except that certain injuries simplify the process.in most states, permanent total disability can be assumed if certain specified injuries have been sustained. In some states compensation is awarded for lift. In others a time period is specified. Figure 7-5 shows the maximum period that compensation can be collected for a geographically distributed list of states. Notice in this Figure7-5 that the time periods range from 401 weeks to life .