Baias

We review a decision of respondent Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board (Board) that applicant could not be awarded permanent disability indemnity because he was 100 percent disabled prior to sustaining the industrial injury.

We hold the Board erred in not awarding permanent disability indemnity.

In May 1984 applicant and his wife immigrated to the United States from Romania under the sponsorship of respondent John Roman. Prior to the immigration, applicant had suffered two or more strokes.

After arriving in the United States, applicant and his wife lived with Roman. According to the wife, she and applicant performed household chores for Roman six days a week and sold items for him at a swap meet on Sundays; and Roman paid each of them $20 a week. Elena Lunga, an acquaintance of applicant and Roman, testified she saw applicant sell items *792 for Roman at the swap meet and observed applicant working in Roman’s upholstery shop and garden.

On March 10, 1985, applicant and his wife were sitting at separate tables at a swap meet. While applicant was selling pistachio nuts, he became thirsty. He was given a bottle of what he believed was lemonade but actually contained…