A 47-year-old actor with a chemical burn to the upper extremity causing cosmetic disfigurement and a 5% WPI would have what rating?

A 47-year-old actor with a chemical burn to the upper extremity causing cosmetic disfigurement and a 5% WPI would have what rating?

• A. 0%
• B. 5%
• C. 11%
• D. 13%

Answer: (D)

Permanent disability rating in California is not just the medical impairment (WPI) expressed as a percentage. The rating also accounts for how the impairment affects earning capacity, including adjustments for age, occupation, and any cosmetic disfigurement. Here, the worker has a 5% whole person impairment. Because the injury causes cosmetic disfigurement of the upper limb and the person is a 47-year-old actor (where appearance can strongly impact employment), those additional factors boost the overall rating. When the impairment and these adjustments are combined, the final permanent disability rating comes to 13%.

Permanent disability rating in California is not just the medical impairment (WPI) expressed as a percentage. The rating also accounts for how the impairment affects earning capacity, including adjustments for age, occupation, and any cosmetic disfigurement. Here, the worker has a 5% whole person impairment. Because the injury causes cosmetic disfigurement of the upper limb and the person is a 47-year-old actor (where appearance can strongly impact employment), those additional factors boost the overall rating. When the impairment and these adjustments are combined, the final permanent disability rating comes to 13%.