Observations on Pension Funds for Employees Rendered PermanentlyDisabled by Reason of a Second Injury

It is clearly the intent of the compensation laws of all of the states that the employee receiving a permanent injury of a serious character which, however, does not prevent his doing some useful work, shall not be regarded as permanently and totally disabled, but rather that he shall be restored to the working force as soon as his recovery from his physical injuries and suitable retraining will permit. This is shown by the fact that even where injuries resulting in permanent total incapacity are compensated with a life pension, permanent injuries of only partially incapacitating nature are compensated with temporary benefits. In some states* these benefits are based distinctly upon the so-called "rehabilitation theory" and intended to cover a term during which the employee may rehabilitate himself and in other cases this type of benefit appears to have been dictated only by the convenience in settling claims.