Opinion ID: 1760577
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Disfigurement BenefitsSection 287.190.4

Text: Claimants argue the Commission erred by not awarding disfigurement benefits. Section 287.190.4 provides: If an employee is seriously and permanently disfigured about the head, neck, hands or arms, the division or commission may allow such additional sum for the compensation on account thereof as it may deem just, but the sum shall not exceed forty weeks of compensation. Section 287.190 provides for the compensation to be paid for and defines permanent partial disability. Section 287.190.6 defines permanent partial disability as being permanent in nature and partial in degree. Employee died the day after the fire but his death does not affect Employer's liability to furnish compensation as provided in chapter 287. Section 287.230. However, there is no evidence that Employee's injuries were partial in degree and, therefore, that he was entitled to compensation for permanent partial disability. Accordingly, the Commission did not err by failing to award disfigurement benefits. The award of the Commission is affirmed in part and reversed in part, and the cause is remanded to the Commission for proceedings not inconsistent with this opinion. All concur.