---
title: O.C.G.A. § 34-9-351. Definitions.
collection: code
id: 34-9-351
cite_as: O.C.G.A. § 34-9-351 (2025)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/34-9-351
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/34-9-351.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/34-9-351/text
source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/document/docs/default-source/joint-features-document-library/t34-(v26)-2017-pdf.pdf?sfvrsn=ba91129b_0#page=931
date: 2025
status: active
corpus_version: 2025-supplement-89aa39ab3c68
license: CC0-1.0
publisher: Georgia Commons, an independent project of Georgia Civic Data. Not the State of Georgia. Not legal advice.
up: https://georgiacommons.org/code/34-9.md
previous: https://georgiacommons.org/code/34-9-350.md
next: https://georgiacommons.org/code/34-9-351.1.md
index: https://georgiacommons.org/code/index.md
version: the only printed version
in_force: true
current_through: Including Acts of the 2025 Regular Session of the General Assembly
heading_path: LABOR AND INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS / WORKERS’ COMPENSATION / SUBSEQUENT INJURY TRUST FUND
---

# O.C.G.A. § 34-9-351. Definitions.

As used in this article, the term:

(1) ‘‘Merger of an injury with a preexisting permanent impairment’’ describes or means that:

(A) Had the preexisting permanent impairment not been present, the subsequent injury would not have occurred;

(B) The disability resulting from the subsequent injury in conjunction with the preexisting permanent impairment is materially, substantially, and cumulatively greater than that which would have resulted had the preexisting permanent impairment not been present, and the employer has been required to pay and has paid compensation for that greater disability; or

(C) Death would not have been accelerated had the preexisting permanent impairment not been present.

(2) ‘‘Permanent impairment’’ means any permanent condition due to previous injury, disease, or disorder which is, or is likely to be, a hindrance or obstacle to employment or to obtaining reemployment if the employee should become unemployed.

## History

Code 1933, § 114-911, enacted by Ga. L. 1977, p. 608, § 1.