What is the difference between a partial and total disability?

The difference between a partial and total disability under Virginia Workers Compensation Law is how much of an impairment the worker is experiencing. A partial disability indicates that the employee has some form of physical or mental damage that hinders their ability to perform their job, but they are still able to do some form of work. Total disability on the other hand, means that the employee is completely unable to work in any capacity due to their injury or condition. Partial disability can be further broken down into temporary and permanent, depending upon the nature of the injury and its expected duration. If the injury is expected to heal, then the employee will likely be considered to have a temporary partial disability, and may be allowed to return to work in some capacity once their condition improves. Conversely, a permanent partial disability may be awarded to a worker who has been permanently impaired, but is still able to do some form of work. In contrast, total disability is one in which the employee is unable to work in any capacity, either due to a permanent physical or mental impairment. This does not necessarily mean that the employee is completely debilitated or bedridden; rather, it simply means that they can no longer perform the duties of their previous job due to the effects of their injury or condition. In Virginia, an employee is eligible for workers compensation benefits if they are able to demonstrate that they have been partially or totally disabled due to a job-related injury or illness. Depending on the severity of the disability, they may be eligible for different levels of compensation and benefits, including medical care, disability benefits, and retraining.

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What is the difference between a partial and total disability?

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