What happens to an employee’s compensation if their permanent disability is under the limit while being guilty of serious and willful misconduct?

When an employee is found to have a permanent disability but is also guilty of serious and willful misconduct, their compensation is typically reduced. This principle is rooted in the idea that employees who engage in serious misconduct can be held partially responsible for their injuries. The workers' compensation system is designed to provide benefits regardless of fault; however, serious and willful misconduct represents a significant deviation from acceptable behavior, which can limit or reduce the injuries' compensability.

In California, if an employee's actions contribute to their own injury through such misconduct, the law allows for a reduction in their benefits. This serves as a deterrent against engaging in reckless or dangerous behavior that could lead to injury. Therefore, in this scenario, reducing the compensation reflects the legal principle that responsibility for the misconduct impacts the worker's right to receive full remuneration for their permanent disability.