Which of the following injuries qualifies as a grave injury for purposes of the workers’ compensation limitation on contribution, based on the definitions provided?

• A. Death
• B. Temporary back strain
• C. Temporary loss of hearing for 2 days
• D. A minor scrape that heals quickly

Answer: (A)

Grave injury is defined to include the most serious outcomes from work, specifically death or a permanent impairment. The limit on contribution among employers only applies when the employee’s injury meets that severity threshold. Death clearly fits—the ultimate permanent outcome and is expressly included in the grave injury definition. The other options describe injuries that are temporary or minor and do not meet the permanency or severity standard, so they do not trigger the grave-injury category. Hence, death is the qualifying grave injury.