California Worker’s Comp is the no-fault insurance program that provides compensation for employees who have illnesses or are injured on the job. The worker’s compensation program is paid for by employers. When an employee has an on-the-job injury, their workers’ compensation insurance provides medical expenses and temporary disability payments. If the injury or illness is long-term, the worker may be awarded permanent disability. Benefits for workers injured on the job are tax-exempt.
Medical Expenses
Medical treatment and costs associated with treatment are covered. Evaluation of a condition, treatments, and surgery are covered. Additional coverage includes medical devices like a walker or portable oxygen tanks, prescription medications, and transportation to medical appointments are covered.
Disability
Temporary disability payments are paid for on-the-job injuries. Payments are based on two-thirds of the average weekly income. The state mandates the maximum that may be earned weekly, depending on the date of the injury. In California, workers’ comp payments can be collected for up to 104 weeks within five years. More serious injuries, including an amputation, chronic lung disease, HIV, hepatitis, severe burns, or eye injuries, may allow workers to collect payments for up to 240 weeks of temporary total disability.
Permanent disability payments are made to workers with an injury that affects their ability to return to work. Payments are based on a rating system that includes the injury, the age of the worker, the occupation, and doctor-mandated restrictions. Depending on the rating, payments may be made for between four weeks to 14 years. Life pension payments are made for a severe disability of between 70 and 99 percent. A life pension is a smaller, weekly payment in addition to permanent disability payments. However, the payments can be made for life.
Job Displacement
Vocational retraining costs, also known as the Supplemental Job Displacement Benefit, are for workers who can’t perform their previous job and weren’t offered alternative employment or a modified job. The benefit for retraining consists of a $6,000 voucher to use for education-related training at schools approved by the State of California. The voucher covers the cost of education retraining. Death benefits are paid to spouses or dependents of workers when a work-related death occurs.
In some cases, entitlements and worker recovery benefits outside the worker’s compensation insurance program are available. Whether a worker qualifies for additional benefits depends on the individual worker’s compensation claim. Other types of benefits a worker may be entitled to include court judgments or lawsuit settlements from third parties, state disability insurance benefits or SDI, and Social Security disability benefits or SSDI.
Sources:
https://www.calchamber.com/california-labor-law/Workers-Compensation-California
https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/workers-compensation-california-worker-rights.html