Which type of permanent disability is considered total?

The type of permanent disability considered total is the loss of the use of both hands. In the context of California workers' compensation, total permanent disability refers to an individual’s inability to perform any gainful employment due to severe impairments. The complete loss of use of both hands significantly impacts a person’s capacity to engage in most occupations, as hands are essential for a vast majority of tasks.

While the loss of use of one arm, a leg, or vision in both eyes represents serious disabilities, they may not necessarily equate to total disability in a way that precludes all forms of employment. For instance, a person who loses a leg may still be able to work in certain roles, and the loss of an arm can be mitigated with adaptive technology or adjustments, thereby potentially allowing for continued employment. On the other hand, the loss of both hands presents a much more significant barrier to maintaining any kind of employment, thereby qualifying it as a total permanent disability under the relevant regulations.