2017 New Mexico Statutes
Chapter 52 - Workers' Compensation
Article 1 - Workers' Compensation
Section 52-1-42 - Compensation benefits; permanent partial disability; maximum duration of benefits.

52-1-42. Compensation benefits; permanent partial disability; maximum duration of benefits.

A. For permanent partial disability, the workers' compensation benefits not specifically provided for in Section 52-1-43 NMSA 1978 shall be a percentage of the weekly benefit payable for total disability as provided in Section 52-1-41 NMSA 1978. The percentage of permanent partial disability shall be determined pursuant to the provisions of Sections 52-1-26 through 52-1-26.4 NMSA 1978. The duration of partial disability benefits shall depend upon the extent and nature of the partial disability, subject to the following:

(1) where the worker's percentage of disability is equal to or greater than eighty, the maximum period is seven hundred weeks;

(2) where the worker's percentage of disability is less than eighty, the maximum period is five hundred weeks;

(3) where the partial disability results from a primary mental impairment, the maximum period is the maximum period allowable for a physical injury, as set forth in Section 52-1-26 NMSA 1978, and subject to the maximum duration and limitations on compensation benefits set forth in Section 52-1-47 NMSA 1978; and

(4) where the partial disability results from a secondary mental impairment, the maximum period is the maximum period allowable for the disability produced by the physical impairment, as set forth in Section 52-1-26 or 52-1-43 NMSA 1978, and subject to the maximum duration and limitations on compensation benefits set forth in Section 52-1-47 NMSA 1978.

B. If an injured worker receives temporary disability benefits prior to an award of permanent partial disability benefits, the maximum period for permanent partial disability benefits shall be reduced by the number of weeks the worker actually receives temporary disability benefits.

History: 1953 Comp., 59-10-18.3, enacted by Laws 1959, ch. 67, 21; 1963, ch. 269, 2; 1965, ch. 252, 2; 1975, ch. 284, 9; 1986, ch. 22, 12; 1987, ch. 235, 17; 1989, ch. 263, 24; 1990 (2nd S.S.), ch. 2, 18; 2015, ch. 70, 2.