Legal Definitions - wholly and permanently disabled

Wholly and permanently disabled is an adjective used in insurance to describe an insured person who is completely and continuously unable to perform work for compensation or profit.

1. John was in a car accident that left him paralyzed from the waist down. He is now considered wholly and permanently disabled and is unable to work.

2. Mary has a rare medical condition that has left her unable to perform any type of work. She has been deemed wholly and permanently disabled by her insurance company.

3. Bob was injured on the job and is unable to perform his previous work duties. However, he is still able to work in a different capacity and is not considered wholly and permanently disabled.

The first two examples illustrate the definition of wholly and permanently disabled as both individuals are completely unable to work for compensation or profit. The third example shows a situation where the individual is not considered wholly and permanently disabled because they are still able to work in some capacity.