If the PD is 70% or greater, the 50% misconduct reduction does what?

If the PD is 70% or greater, the 50% misconduct reduction does what?

• A. Applies
• B. Does not apply
• C. Applies only to medical benefits
• D. Is doubled

Answer: (B)

The important idea is how misconduct reductions interact with the level of permanent disability. Normally, if there’s willful misconduct, a 50% reduction applies to the permanent disability benefits. But when the permanent disability rating is 70% or greater, that 50% reduction does not apply. So with a 70%+ PD, the misconduct reduction is not used, and the full PD amount is paid (subject to other rules). The other options don’t fit because the reduction isn’t applied at this level, it isn’t limited to medical benefits, and it isn’t doubled.

The important idea is how misconduct reductions interact with the level of permanent disability. Normally, if there’s willful misconduct, a 50% reduction applies to the permanent disability benefits. But when the permanent disability rating is 70% or greater, that 50% reduction does not apply. So with a 70%+ PD, the misconduct reduction is not used, and the full PD amount is paid (subject to other rules). The other options don’t fit because the reduction isn’t applied at this level, it isn’t limited to medical benefits, and it isn’t doubled.