What Compensation Is Available for a Permanent Work Injury in Virginia?

 Posted on September 18, 2026 in Workers' Compensation

Industrial jobs can lead to injuries that do not fully heal. A worker hurt by heavy machinery or in a serious fall could be left with lasting damage that affects the use of their body and leaves them unable to return to work.

Virginia workers' compensation provides benefits for certain permanent work injuries. The type and amount of compensation are based on the injury and the worker's level of permanent impairment. If you suffered a permanent work injury in 2026, our Winchester, VA workers' compensation lawyers can help you understand the benefits you have a claim to.

What Is a Permanent Work Injury in Virginia?

A permanent injury is one that has reached maximum medical improvement (MMI) and is not expected to improve much more. After a worker reaches MMI, a doctor can determine whether the injury caused permanent loss of use and assign an impairment rating when appropriate.

For an industrial worker, this could follow a severe machinery accident that damages a hand or arm. Other covered losses include amputations, loss of vision or hearing, and certain types of scarring.

Reaching MMI does not mean a worker is completely healed. It means the condition has become stable enough to evaluate any permanent loss.

What Permanent Partial Disability Benefits Are Available in Virginia?

Virginia provides permanent partial disability (PPD) benefits for specific losses under Virginia Code § 65.2-503. The law covers the permanent loss or loss of use of certain body parts, as well as qualifying vision or hearing loss. It can also provide compensation for severely marked disfigurement of the body when that injury is not otherwise compensated under the statute.

The back and neck are not included in Virginia's list of body parts that qualify for PPD benefits. A worker with a permanent back or neck injury can still have rights to other workers' compensation benefits, including medical care and wage-loss benefits when the legal requirements for those benefits are met.

How Are Permanent Partial Disability Benefits Calculated in Virginia?

Virginia law sets both the payment rate and the number of weeks assigned to each covered loss. PPD benefits are paid at 66 ⅔ percent of the worker's average weekly wage, subject to Virginia's benefit limits.

The worker's impairment rating is used when there is a partial loss of use. For example, Virginia assigns 200 weeks of compensation for the complete loss of an arm. A 20 percent permanent loss of use of that arm would equal 40 weeks of PPD benefits.

In order to qualify, the Virginia Workers' Compensation Commission requires a statement that the worker has reached MMI and a medical report stating the percentage of loss of use.

When Does a Permanent Injury Qualify for Lifetime Disability Benefits in Virginia?

Virginia limits permanent total disability benefits to severe injuries. These benefits are available for the loss of both hands, both arms, both feet, both legs, both eyes, or any two of those listed body parts. Total paralysis can also qualify.

A severe brain injury can also qualify when it leaves the worker permanently unable to work in gainful employment. Permanent total disability benefits provide wage replacement for the remainder of the worker's life.

This standard is much narrower than simply being unable to return to the industrial job a worker had before the accident. For example, a worker could have permanent restrictions that prevent them from returning to heavy lifting or other parts of their former job without qualifying for permanent total disability. In that situation, the worker could still qualify for other workers’ compensation benefits based on their injury and ability to work.

Does Medical Care in Virginia Continue After a Permanent Disability Award?

Virginia Code § 65.2-603 requires the employer to provide necessary medical care for a compensable work injury for as long as that care is needed. For someone with a serious industrial injury, that can include ongoing treatment related to the covered injury. Virginia law also provides for certain prosthetic or assistive devices after qualifying losses.

MMI and medical benefits address different issues. MMI measures whether the injury is expected to improve significantly, while medical benefits cover necessary treatment connected to the work injury.

Contact Our Winchester, VA Workers' Compensation Attorneys

At Parthemos, Curran, Buelow and Polizzi, PLLC, our attorneys have more than 120 years of combined experience handling difficult injury cases, including cases other firms turn away. We stay in close contact with our clients, and we will not take a case unless we are willing to fight for it in court.

If you suffered a permanent injury at work, contact our Northern Virginia workers' compensation lawyers or call 540-662-4222 today for a free consultation.