Virginia Code

Va. Code Ann. § 65.2-503 (2026)

Permanent loss

✓ current as of May 2026

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A. Compensation for permanent partial and permanent total loss and disfigurement shall be awarded as provided in this section.

B. The following losses shall be compensated for the period specified at the rate of 66 2/3 percent of the average weekly wage as defined in § 65.2-101:

Loss		Compensation Period
1. Thumb		60 weeks.
2. First finger (index finger)		35 weeks.
3. Second finger		30 weeks.
4. Third finger		20 weeks.
5. Fourth finger (little finger)		15 weeks.
6. First phalanx of the thumb or any finger		one-half compensation for loss of entire thumb or finger.
The loss of more than one phalanx of a thumb or finger is deemed the loss of the entire thumb or finger. Amounts received for loss of more than one finger shall not exceed compensation provided for the loss of a hand.
7. Great toe		30 weeks.
8. A toe other than a great toe		10 weeks.
9. First phalanx of any toe		one-half compensation for loss of entire toe.
The loss of more than one phalanx of a toe is deemed the loss of the entire toe.
10. Hand		150 weeks.
11. Arm		200 weeks.
12. Foot		125 weeks.
13. Leg		175 weeks.
14. Permanent total loss of the vision of an eye		100 weeks.
15. Permanent total loss of hearing of an ear		50 weeks.
16. Severely marked disfigurement of the body resulting from an injury not otherwise compensated by this section		not exceeding 60 weeks.
17. Pneumoconiosis, including but not limited to silicosis and asbestosis, medically determined to be in the
a. First stage		50 weeks.
b. Second stage		100 weeks.
c. Third stage		300 weeks.
18. Byssinosis		50 weeks.

C. Compensation shall be awarded pursuant to § 65.2-500 for permanent and total incapacity when there is:

1. Loss of both hands, both arms, both feet, both legs, both eyes, or any two thereof either from the same accident or a compensable consequence of an injury sustained in the original accident;

2. Injury for all practical purposes resulting in total paralysis, as determined by the Commission based on medical evidence; or

3. Injury to the brain which is so severe as to render the employee permanently unemployable in gainful employment.

D. In construing this section, the permanent loss of the use of a member shall be equivalent to the loss of such member, and for the permanent partial loss or loss of use of a member, compensation may be proportionately awarded. Compensation shall also be awarded proportionately for partial loss of vision or hearing.

E. Except as provided in subsection C, the weekly compensation payments referred to in this section shall be subject to the same limitations as to maximum and minimum as set out in § 65.2-500.

1. Compensation awarded pursuant to this section shall be payable after payments for temporary total incapacity pursuant to § 65.2-500.

2. Compensation pursuant to this section may be paid simultaneously with payments for partial incapacity pursuant to § 65.2-502. Where compensation pursuant to this section is paid simultaneously with payments for partial incapacity pursuant to § 65.2-502, each combined payment shall count as two weeks against the total maximum allowable period of 500 weeks.

Code 1950, § 65-53; 1964, cc. 116, 190; 1968, cc. 347, 660, § 65.1-56; 1970, c. 470; 1972, c. 229; 1975, cc. 446, 450; 1976, c. 655; 1982, c. 326; 1983, c. 287; 1987, c. 560; 1988, cc. 564, 596; 1991, c. 355; 1997, c. 511; 2000, c. 520; 2022, c. 530.

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 161 cases (6 in the last 5 years), 1992–2026 · leading case: Pruden v. Plasser Am. Corp., 612 S.E.2d 738 (Va. Ct. App. 2005).

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Pruden v. Plasser Am. Corp., 612 S.E.2d 738 (Va. Ct. App. 2005). · cites it 36× “Appellant Vernon Lee Pruden (claimant) appeals the decision of the Workers’ Compensation Commission reducing his award for disability compensation for the permanent partial loss of use of his right arm by the amount of disability compensation previously awarded for scarring…”

Clinchfield Coal Co. v. Reed, 577 S.E.2d 538 (Va. Ct. App. 2003). · cites it 12× “Jones addressed the question whether an employee with asbestosis was entitled to medical benefits even though the disease had not risen to the level of a “permanent loss” under Code § 65.2-503. The employer argued that an occupational disease which “has not reached a ratable…”

Loudoun Cnty. v. Michael Richardson, 826 S.E.2d 326 (Va. Ct. App. 2019). · cites it 24× “Loudoun County (“employer”) appeals a decision of the Workers’ Compensation Commission awarding permanent partial disability benefits to Michael Richardson (“claimant”) pursuant to Code § 65.2-503, based on a 74% impairment rating for loss of use of his left leg.”

Cafaro Constr. Co. v. Strother, 426 S.E.2d 489 (Va. Ct. App. 1993). · cites it 21× “Strother (claimant) permanent and total disability benefits for loss of use of a scheduled member pursuant to Code § 65.2-503 (formerly § 65.1-56). 1 The employer contends that insufficient evidence supports the finding that the claimant reached maximum medical improvement and…”

Tumlin v. Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., 444 S.E.2d 22 (Va. Ct. App. 1994). · cites it 24× “Tumlin (Tumlin) appeals a denial of permanent partial disability benefits under Code § 65.2-503 (formerly Code § 65.1-56) by the Workers’ Compensation Commission (commission).”

Thomas Refuse Serv. v. Flood, 515 S.E.2d 315 (Va. Ct. App. 1999). · cites it 39× “2-511 includes claims under Code § 65.2-503 for “scheduled” benefits to which a claimant “is entitled” prior to death even though benefits had not been actually awarded under Code § 65.”

Virginia Nat. Gas, Inc. & AGL Resources v. Clinton Tennessee, 649 S.E.2d 206 (Va. Ct. App. 2007). · cites it 14× “Finding, on review, that the evidence was “sufficient to support an award for scheduled loss under Code § 65.2-503 based on the 37 percent [permanent partial impairment] rating to the right leg assigned by the claimant’s treating physician,” the full commission reversed the…”

Greif Companies/Genesco, Inc. v. Hensley, 471 S.E.2d 803 (Va. Ct. App. 1996). · cites it 18× “2-506, an employee receiving compensation for permanent partial loss or permanent total loss from the first injury receives all of the payments that are due under Code § 65.2-503, because payments are only suspended while the employee is being paid compensation for a second…”

Brown v. United Airlines, Inc., 540 S.E.2d 521 (Va. Ct. App. 2001). · cites it 12× “See Code § 65.2-503. Brown's claim noted that she "does not have a permanency rating as yet .”

Rusty's Welding Serv., Inc. v. Gibson, 510 S.E.2d 255 (Va. Ct. App. 1999). · cites it 6× “Therefore, on the first application for an award based on permanency, the deputy correctly ruled that “at this time” claimant’s request had to be denied because the compensation provided by Code § 65.2-503 is not awardable “until the injury has reached a state of permanency, i.”

Paul Johnson Plastering v. Johnson, 576 S.E.2d 447 (Va. 2003). · cites it 14× “This appeal involves an employee’s claim that he suffered a brain injury and is entitled to permanent total disability benefits pursuant to Code § 65.2-503(0(3). Paul Johnson was employed as a plasterer and drywall installer.”

Johnson v. Paul Johnson Plastering & Nat'l Sur. Corp., 561 S.E.2d 40 (Va. Ct. App. 2002). · cites it 10× “Claimant correctly reads Daniel Construction as allowing compensation for injury to the brain under Code §§ 65.2-503(0 and 65.2-708(A) when the injury does not arise on the day of the accident, but instead develops as a direct consequence of an initial injury, i.”

Show all 161 citing cases →

— Va. Code Ann. § 65.2-503(3) — 1 case

John Edward Jenkins v. Dynatran, Inc.& Zurich Ins (Va. Ct. App. 2002).

— Va. Code Ann. § 65.2-503(A) — 6 cases

Washington Metro. Area Transit Auth. v. Rogers, 440 S.E.2d 142 (Va. Ct. App. 1994).

Courtney E. Blakey v. Univ. of Virginia Health Sys./Commonwealth of Virginia (Va. Ct. App. 2015).

Mirna Rivera v. Kohl's Dep't Stores, Inc. & New Hampshire Ins. Co. (Va. Ct. App. 2018).

Loudoun Cnty. v. Richardson (Va. 2020).

Simon Michael Trevathan v. Loudoun Cnty. Sch. Bd. (Va. Ct. App. 2013).

— Va. Code Ann. § 65.2-503(B) — 14 cases

Virginia Nat. Gas, Inc. & AGL Resources v. Clinton Tennessee, 649 S.E.2d 206 (Va. Ct. App. 2007). “Finding, on review, that the evidence was “sufficient to support an award for scheduled loss under Code § 65.2-503 based on the 37 percent [permanent partial impairment] rating to the right leg assigned by the claimant’s treating physician,” the full commission reversed the…”

Thomas Refuse Serv. v. Flood, 515 S.E.2d 315 (Va. Ct. App. 1999). “2-511 includes claims under Code § 65.2-503 for “scheduled” benefits to which a claimant “is entitled” prior to death even though benefits had not been actually awarded under Code § 65.”

Loudoun Cnty. v. Michael Richardson, 826 S.E.2d 326 (Va. Ct. App. 2019). “Loudoun County (“employer”) appeals a decision of the Workers’ Compensation Commission awarding permanent partial disability benefits to Michael Richardson (“claimant”) pursuant to Code § 65.2-503, based on a 74% impairment rating for loss of use of his left leg.”

Pruden v. Plasser Am. Corp., 612 S.E.2d 738 (Va. Ct. App. 2005). “Appellant Vernon Lee Pruden (claimant) appeals the decision of the Workers’ Compensation Commission reducing his award for disability compensation for the permanent partial loss of use of his right arm by the amount of disability compensation previously awarded for scarring…”

Gunst Corp. & Reliance Ins.Co. v. Childress, 514 S.E.2d 383 (Va. Ct. App. 1999).

— Va. Code Ann. § 65.2-503(B)(11) — 2 cases

Cynthia Colyer Allen v. Cnty. of Henrico Pub. Schs. (Va. Ct. App. 2019).

— Va. Code Ann. § 65.2-503(B)(13) — 5 cases

Rebecca Hicks v. Giant Landover, Ahold USA, Inc. & Mac Risk Mgmt., Inc. (Va. Ct. App. 2019).

Clinton Tennessee v. Virginia Nat. Gas, Inc. & AGL Resources (Va. Ct. App. 2007).

Donald M. Fett, Jr. v. Waymar, Inc. (Va. Ct. App. 2000).

— Va. Code Ann. § 65.2-503(B)(14) — 2 cases

Creative Dimensions Grp., Inc. v. Hill, 430 S.E.2d 718 (Va. Ct. App. 1993).

Sinclair v. Shelter Constr. Corp., 474 S.E.2d 856 (Va. Ct. App. 1996).

— Va. Code Ann. § 65.2-503(B)(15) — 1 case

Allied Fibers v. Rhodes, 474 S.E.2d 829 (Va. Ct. App. 1996).

— Va. Code Ann. § 65.2-503(B)(16) — 3 cases

Allen P. Stanfield v. City of Hampton Fire & Rescue, 522 S.E.2d 404 (Va. Ct. App. 1999).

City of Roanoke v. Johnny G. Guilliams (Va. Ct. App. 1997).

— Va. Code Ann. § 65.2-503(B)(17) — 4 cases

Wood v. Caudle-Hyatt, Inc., 444 S.E.2d 3 (Va. Ct. App. 1994).

James T. Jones v. E.I. Dupont Denemours & Co., 480 S.E.2d 129 (Va. Ct. App. 1997).

Roscoe Chitwood v. E.I. Du Pont De Nemours, 513 S.E.2d 890 (Va. Ct. App. 1999).

Island Creek Coal Co. v. Larry Miller, 531 S.E.2d 29 (Va. Ct. App. 2000).

— Va. Code Ann. § 65.2-503(B)(17)(a) — 1 case

Lena Robertson,etc. v. E.I. DuPont de Nemours & Co, 568 S.E.2d 436 (Va. Ct. App. 2002).

— Va. Code Ann. § 65.2-503(B)(17)(b) — 1 case

Roscoe Chitwood v. E.I. Du Pont De Nemours, 513 S.E.2d 890 (Va. Ct. App. 1999).

— Va. Code Ann. § 65.2-503(B)(2) — 1 case

Tommy F. Kpakio v. Sentara Healthcare (Va. Ct. App. 2025).

— Va. Code Ann. § 65.2-503(B)(ll) — 1 case

— Va. Code Ann. § 65.2-503(C) — 23 cases

Johnson v. Paul Johnson Plastering & Nat'l Sur. Corp., 561 S.E.2d 40 (Va. Ct. App. 2002). “Claimant correctly reads Daniel Construction as allowing compensation for injury to the brain under Code §§ 65.2-503(0 and 65.2-708(A) when the injury does not arise on the day of the accident, but instead develops as a direct consequence of an initial injury, i.”

Sturtz v. Chesapeake Corp., 568 S.E.2d 381 (Va. Ct. App. 2002).

Georgia-Pac. Corp. v. Dancy, 497 S.E.2d 133 (Va. 1998).

Hill v. Davis, 447 S.E.2d 237 (Va. Ct. App. 1994).

— Va. Code Ann. § 65.2-503(C)(1) — 17 cases

Georgia-Pac. Corp. v. Dancy, 497 S.E.2d 133 (Va. 1998).

Merck v. Vincent (Va. 2021).

Kamco Bldg. Supply Corp. & PA Lumbermen's Mut. Ins. Co. v. Eric Heard (Va. Ct. App. 2018).

Kelly Roane v. Washington Metro. Area Transit Auth. (Va. Ct. App. 2020).

— Va. Code Ann. § 65.2-503(C)(3) — 11 cases

Paul Johnson Plastering v. Johnson, 576 S.E.2d 447 (Va. 2003). “This appeal involves an employee’s claim that he suffered a brain injury and is entitled to permanent total disability benefits pursuant to Code § 65.2-503(0(3). Paul Johnson was employed as a plasterer and drywall installer.”

Antonya Herring v. DBHDS/Cent. State Hosp. (Va. Ct. App. 2026).

John Edward Jenkins v. Dynatran, Inc.& Zurich Ins (Va. Ct. App. 2002).

Rappahannock Wire Companyv Vincent Schmitt (Va. Ct. App. 2001).

Jimmy Ralph Dash, Jr. v. Coalfield Servs., Inc. & Liberty Mut. Ins. Co. (Va. Ct. App. 2005).

— Va. Code Ann. § 65.2-503(C)(D) — 1 case

Branch v. Commonwealth, 419 S.E.2d 422 (Va. Ct. App. 1992).

— Va. Code Ann. § 65.2-503(C)(l) — 3 cases

Georgia-Pac. Corp. v. Dancy, 497 S.E.2d 133 (Va. 1998).

Pantry Pride-Food Fair Stores, Inc. v. Backus, 442 S.E.2d 699 (Va. Ct. App. 1994).

Lester v. Tri-Della Coal Mining Corp., 445 S.E.2d 691 (Va. Ct. App. 1994).

— Va. Code Ann. § 65.2-503(D) — 20 cases

Hill v. Davis, 447 S.E.2d 237 (Va. Ct. App. 1994).

Sinclair v. Shelter Constr. Corp., 474 S.E.2d 856 (Va. Ct. App. 1996).

Pantry Pride-Food Fair Stores, Inc. v. Backus, 442 S.E.2d 699 (Va. Ct. App. 1994).

— Va. Code Ann. § 65.2-503(E)(2) — 3 cases

E.I. Du Pont De Nemours & Co. v. Eggleston, 563 S.E.2d 685 (Va. 2002).

Herbert C. King, Jr. v. Pepsi Cola Co. (Va. Ct. App. 1999).

E.I.DuPont De Nemoursv Brenda G. Eggleston (Va. Ct. App. 2001).

— Va. Code Ann. § 65.2-503(F) — 4 cases

Greif Companies/Genesco, Inc. v. Hensley, 471 S.E.2d 803 (Va. Ct. App. 1996). “2-506, an employee receiving compensation for permanent partial loss or permanent total loss from the first injury receives all of the payments that are due under Code § 65.2-503, because payments are only suspended while the employee is being paid compensation for a second…”

Dennis K. Pennington v. Superior Iron Works, 517 S.E.2d 726 (Va. Ct. App. 1999).

William Wayne Wimer, Sr. v. S.T. Wooten Const. etal (Va. Ct. App. 1996).

Grief Cos etc v. Barbara J Hensley etc (Va. Ct. App. 1996).

— Va. Code Ann. § 65.2-503(F)(1) — 1 case

Alonzo E. Murphy v. Frank Ix & Sons, Inc. (Va. Ct. App. 1995).

— Va. Code Ann. § 65.2-503(F)(l) — 1 case

Cross v. Newport News Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Co., 465 S.E.2d 598 (Va. Ct. App. 1996).

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