California Workers’ Comp Settlement Chart [2024 Updated]

Whether you broke your arm while on the job or suffered an injury so severe that you became disabled, you are entitled to compensation. However, seeking workers’ compensation can be overwhelming when you’re trying to recover. You likely have a myriad of questions about what is covered and whether it will be enough. A California workers’ comp settlement chart can tell you all you need to know about the varying benefits you can potentially receive.

Potential Workers’ Compensation Benefits in California

In California, there are six kinds of workers’ compensation benefits an individual can receive:

1. Medical Care – This includes coverage of medical bills such as visits to a doctor, hospital services, x-rays, use of medical equipment, medication, lab tests, and more.
2. Temporary Disability Pay – These are payments you can receive if you are unable to work while recovering from your injury.
3. Permanent Disability Pay – This form of payment is given to individuals who are unable to fully recover from their injuries and now have to deal with some sort of impairment for the rest of their lives.
4. Wrongful Death Benefits – If a workplace illness or injury results in the death of an employee, their dependents can file a claim to receive compensation.
5. Supplemental Job Displacement – If you are unable to go back to the place you previously worked or to the job you were previously assigned, you can request benefits to assist in your retraining and placement.
6. Mileage for Treatment – The costs to travel to and from your medical visits may be covered. According to recent laws, if your injury was sustained on or after 1/1/2024, you can be paid $0.67 per mile traveled.

Temporary Disability Vs. Permanent Disability

Both temporary and permanent disability benefits are designed to aid workers who suffer serious injuries that impair them. If your injury was serious enough that you became disabled, whether temporarily or permanently, it’s important to understand the benefits you may receive.

Temporary Disability

Benefits for temporary disability are usually available to you until you reach maximum medical improvement or are fully recovered and can return to work. The amount of workers’ compensation you receive for a temporary disability is generally equal to two-thirds of your weekly wage before taxes.

Note that for injuries sustained on or after 1/1/2024:

• If your weekly wage is below $364.29, you are entitled to $242.86 per week
• If you make between $364.30 and $2,428.72 per week, your disability rate is two-thirds your wage.

Permanent Disability

The amount of compensation you receive for permanent disability, as well as how long you will receive it, is determined by your disability percentage. Currently, in 2024, anyone with a permanent disability percentage between 1% and 99% can receive a minimum of $160 per week and a maximum of $290 per week. If you need additional job training because you can no longer work your old job, you can also receive $6,000 in supplemental job displacement benefits.

Your disability percentage tells you how many weeks you are entitled to weekly pay. For instance, if you have 20% disability, you would receive compensation for 100 weeks based on the numbers below:

• Under 10% – times four weeks
• 10% – 24.75% – times five weeks
• 25% – 29.75% – times six weeks
• 30% – 49.75% – times seven weeks
• 50% – 69.75% – times eight weeks
• 70% – 99.75% – times nine weeks

Can You Receive Benefits If Your Loved One Dies from a Workplace Injury?

According to the State of California Department of Industrial Relations, a death that occurs due to a workplace injury can possibly result in benefits for dependents of the deceased if the injuries occurred on or after June 1, 2013. These benefits include:

• $10,000 in burial expenses
• $250,000 for one full dependent
• $290,000 for two or more full dependents
• $320,000 for three or more full dependents
• $250,000 for one full dependent and one or more partial dependents, in addition to four times yearly support for partial dependents, not exceeding $290,000
• For one or more partial dependents, eight times yearly support, not exceeding $250,000

If there are dependent minors, these benefits will stop after the youngest dependent turns 18.

FAQs About California Workers’ Comp Settlement Chart

How Are Workers’ Comp Settlements Calculated in California?

Workers’ comp settlements are typically calculated by the injured employee’s average weekly wage and their disability rating. If you have a permanent disability, you may receive more workers’ compensation over a longer period of time due to the severity of your injury. Generally, the more serious your injury is, the more compensation you will receive.

Does Surgery Increase a Workers’ Comp Settlement in California?

In California, worker’s compensation insurance typically covers medical expenses, such as surgeries, as long as they’re needed to help you recover. You may need to have evidence that supports your need for surgery, but it should be covered as it is part of your medical treatment.

Do All Workers’ Comp Cases End in a Settlement?

While many workers’ comp cases do end in settlements, not all of them are resolved. If your injury only requires a short recovery period, you may be less likely to get a workers’ comp settlement. Typically, once your condition is in a place where it is stable but possibly requires more treatment, this is when you will likely reach a settlement. For some, a settlement may not be reached until after they return to work.

Which Body Part Has the Highest Value in a Workers’ Compensation Claim?

Aside from losing a limb, workers’ compensation cases that involve head injuries typically have the highest value in a claim and settle for the most amount of money. According to the National Council on Compensation Insurance, depending on how severe the head injury is, it is possible to settle for around $100,000, and sometimes more if the injury is fatal.

Consult With Canlas Law Group for Your Workers’ Comp Settlement

If you were injured on the job, developed an illness from work, or someone you love died due to their workplace injury, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation in California. Our lawyers at Canlas Law Group can help you through the process of filing a workers’ compensation claim and represent you until you receive payment. Contact our office today to get started with a consultation.