What type of workers' compensation disability involves a complete loss of earning ability?

A permanent total disability is defined as a condition where an individual has sustained a complete loss of earning ability due to a work-related injury or illness. This type of disability signifies that the worker is unable to earn any wages or sustain any form of employment in their previous capacity, and is often recognized when medical professionals determine that the individual will not recover sufficiently to return to work.

The classification of permanent total disability is essential in the context of workers' compensation, as it leads to specific benefits aimed at providing ongoing support for individuals who cannot engage in gainful employment as a result of their disability. This persists until retirement or for the duration of the individual's life, depending on the jurisdictional rules governing the workers' compensation system.

In contrast, temporary partial disability involves a situation where a worker can still earn some income while recovering from an injury but at a reduced capacity; permanent partial disability refers to a lasting impairment that does not completely prevent earning potential but limits the kind of work the individual can do; and temporary total disability denotes a complete inability to work for a limited and defined time period, but with the expectation of eventually returning to full employment. Each of these statuses addresses different scenarios affecting a worker's ability to earn income post-injury.