Permanent Partial Disability

Georgia Code § 34-9-263(a) defines “permanent partial disability” as a disability partial in character but permanent in quality resulting from loss or loss of use of body members or from the partial loss of use of the employee’s body. In all permanent partial disability cases, any percentage of disability or bodily loss ratings must be based upon the American Medical Association’s Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment.

Permanent partial disability benefits must be paid without regard to whether the employee has suffered economic loss as a result of the injury. Payments can be put on hold, however, if an employee experiences a change in condition qualifying him or her for total disability or temporary partial disability income benefits.

Attorney for Permanent Partial Disability in Atlanta, GA

If you or your loved one suffered some loss of or loss of the use of a body part because of injuries sustained in an accident on the job in Georgia, it would be in your best interest to quickly seek legal representation.

The Balams Firm represents clients involved in workers’ compensation claims in Riverdale, Norcross, Alpharetta, Roswell, College Park, Dunwoody, Sandy Springs, Duluth, Lawrenceville, Marietta, East Point, Decatur, Milton, Forest Park, Smyrna, Johns Creek, and many other surrounding areas.

ReShea Balams is an experienced personal injury lawyer in Atlanta who can fight to prove the hardships caused by your disability so you can recover all of the compensation that you are entitled to.

You can have our attorney review your case and answer all of your legal questions as soon as you call (404) 445-2005 to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation.


Georgia Permanent Partial Disability Information Center


Back to top

Calculating Permanent Partial Disability Benefits in Atlanta

Under Georgia Code § 34-9-263(b)(1), employers must pay weekly permanent partial disability income benefits to employees without regard to whether the employee has suffered economic loss as a result of the injury. 

Georgia Code § 34-9-263(b)(2) states that permanent partial disability benefits are no longer payable when an employee becomes entitled to benefits under Georgia Code § 34-9-261 (relating to total disability) or Georgia Code § 34-9-262 (relating to temporary partial disability). 

Moreover, under Section “c” of the same Code, an employer must pay permanent partial disability benefits equal to two-thirds of an employee’s pre-injury average weekly wage (AWW). Georgia Code § 34-9-261 limits these benefits to $575 per week. The number of weeks the benefits last depends on the nature of the injury. 

Georgia Code § 34-9-260 establishes that an injured employee’s average weekly wage (AWW) is determined as follows: 

  • The AWW is one-thirteenth of the total amount of wages an employee earned in his or her employment during the 13 weeks when the injured employee worked during substantially the whole of 13 weeks immediately preceding his or her injury; 
  • When an injured employee did not work in such employment during substantially the whole of 13 weeks immediately preceding the injury, the wages of a similar employee in the same employment who worked substantially the whole of such 13 weeks will be used in making the AWW determination; or 
  • When neither of the aforementioned methods can be reasonably and fairly applied, the full-time weekly wage of the injured employee shall be used.

Back to top

Permanent Partial Disability Benefits for Specific Member Losses in Fulton County, GA

Georgia Code § 34-9-263(c) also provides the schedule of income benefits for certain bodily losses. Under this statute, permanent partial disability benefits are payable up to the following maximum numbers of weeks, depending on the type of body part involved: 

  • Arm — 225 weeks; 
  • Leg — 225 weeks; 
  • Hand — 160 weeks; 
  • Foot — 135 weeks; 
  • Thumb — 60 weeks; 
  • Index finger — 40 weeks; 
  • Middle finger — 35 weeks; 
  • Ring finger — 30 weeks; 
  • Little finger — 25 weeks; 
  • Great toe — 30 weeks; 
  • Any toe other than the great toe — 20 weeks; 
  • Loss of hearing, traumatic (one ear) — 75 weeks; 
  • Loss of hearing, traumatic (both ears) — 150 weeks; 
  • Loss of vision of one eye — 150 weeks; and 
  • Disability to the body as a whole — 300 weeks.

Back to top

Georgia Permanent Partial Disability Resources

Georgia Code § 34-9-263. Compensation for permanent partial disability — Read the definition of a permanent partial disability as well as how benefits are paid for such disabilities. Under this statute, you will also find a schedule of income benefits in which certain kinds of bodily loss result in a maximum number of weeks of benefits being established. You can also learn about impairment ratings and loss of more than one major member. 

Summary of Workers’ Compensation Provisions | State Board of Workers’ Compensation — On this full table of workers’ compensation benefits in Georgia, you can view the maximum weekly benefit and the percent of the difference in wages before and after an injury for permanent partial disability cases. The table also includes the number of weeks that benefits are available for when victims lose or lose the use of specific members. Types of member loss listed in the table include thumbs, fingers, hands, senses of hearing, and whole bodies.


Back to top

Find Permanent Partial Disability Attorney in Atlanta, GA

Did you or your loved one suffer some disability as a result of a workplace accident in Georgia that will leave you permanently unable to earn your pre-injury wages? You will want to contact The Balams Firm immediately. 

Atlanta personal injury lawyer ReShea Balams helps individuals in communities all over Gwinnett County, Clayton County, DeKalb County, Cobb County, and Fulton County. 

Call (404) 445-2005 or submit an online contact form to have our attorney provide a complete evaluation of your case during a free initial consultation.


Back to top

CLIENT TESTIMONIALS

  • 5 stars
    The Balams Firm did a wonderful job handling my personal injury case. I was able to get in touch with ReShea the day after my accident and she was very understanding and helped me find the care that I needed to address my specific needs.
    - Jazmyn F.
  • 5 stars
    Very professional attorney and team. Very responsive and kept me abreast of the process the entire time.
    - Anthony J.
  • 5 stars
    ReShea and I have litigated against each other for years and she very quickly earned my respect for her competency and professionalism. Since, I have referred many clients to her and they have all been exceptionally happy with her results and service.
    - LeRyan L.
  • 5 stars
    The Balams Law Firm hands down in the best in Atlanta. I had a injury at a hotel in Atlanta and I called 5 law firms, 3 of them being the big named ones you see on tv radio and they would not take me as a client. I found their number on google and talked to them and they took my case.
    - Brandon N.
Read More Stories