How to use the permanent total disability calculator
Permanent total disability, or PTD, is the workers' compensation benefit paid when a work injury leaves someone unable to return to any gainful employment. Enter the average weekly wage earned before the injury, your state benefit rate and the state weekly limits to estimate the payment.
Legal basis - PTD is governed by each state workers' compensation act, and nearly all of them use two thirds of the average weekly wage inside a statutory maximum and minimum. The federal parallels are FECA, 5 U.S.C. §8105, which pays 66 2/3 percent of monthly pay and 75 percent with a dependent, and the Longshore Act, 33 U.S.C. §908(a). Some states pay PTD for life while others cap it by weeks or by age. Figures are current as of September 2026, and your state may differ, so check your state statute and edit the limits above.
Korea handles the same situation through a separate injury and disease compensation pension that pays a set number of days of average wage per year by severity grade, so the structures are not identical. This calculator is for reference only and is not legal advice. Consult a licensed attorney or your state workers' compensation board about your specific situation.
Frequently asked questions
Workers' compensation benefits are generally excluded from federal income tax under 26 U.S.C. §104(a)(1). An offset can apply if you also receive Social Security Disability Insurance, so check how the two interact before relying on the net figure.
It depends on the state. Some states pay PTD for the duration of the disability with no week limit, while others cap the number of weeks or reduce payments at retirement age, so the total value varies widely.