Which factor determines PD apportionment?

Which factor determines PD apportionment?

• A. Duration of employment
• B. Causation
• C. Age of the claimant
• D. Occupation

Answer: (B)

PD apportionment is determined by causation: which portion of the permanent disability is caused by the work injury versus pre-existing or non-industrial factors. In California, the disability is divided into what would have occurred anyway and what was caused by the industrial event. The key question is: would the disability have happened but for the work injury? If yes, that portion is attributed to the industrial injury; if no, it’s attributed to non-industrial factors. The other factors listed—how long someone was employed, their age, or their occupation—do not set the division of impairment. For example, if a worker has a pre-existing condition that would cause part of the impairment even without the injury, and an injury adds additional impairment, the apportionment will separate the industrially caused portion from the non-industrial portion based on causation.

PD apportionment is determined by causation: which portion of the permanent disability is caused by the work injury versus pre-existing or non-industrial factors. In California, the disability is divided into what would have occurred anyway and what was caused by the industrial event. The key question is: would the disability have happened but for the work injury? If yes, that portion is attributed to the industrial injury; if no, it’s attributed to non-industrial factors. The other factors listed—how long someone was employed, their age, or their occupation—do not set the division of impairment. For example, if a worker has a pre-existing condition that would cause part of the impairment even without the injury, and an injury adds additional impairment, the apportionment will separate the industrially caused portion from the non-industrial portion based on causation.