Employees who experience a permanent injury on the job qualify for workers’ compensation benefits. You may be eligible if your injury prevents you from working and your doctor does not expect your condition to improve.
Review the workers’ compensation benefits that may be available if you or a loved one has a permanent job-related injury in California.
Monetary benefits
To receive permanent disability, you must receive an examination from a qualified medical evaluator. This doctor will determine whether you will likely be able to return to work. He or she also estimates the lifetime cost of your medical care.
California uses a formula to calculate the monthly amount of your permanent disability benefits based on your occupation, age and level of impairment noted by your doctor. Generally, you will receive about two-thirds of the average monthly amount you earned before your injury.
Medical care
California workers’ compensation will also pay for necessary medical care for your injury. You must see doctors within the state’s designated Medical Provider Network. You will also receive mileage reimbursement for travel to and from doctor’s appointments and to pick up necessary prescription medications.
Job displacement
If you receive disability because you can no longer do the job you used to do, you can qualify for benefits to train for another job. California provides a $6,000 voucher to pay for education to eligible workers in this situation.
If you do not agree with the medical decision about your disability status or the state’s calculation of your payments, you can file an appeal with the California Division of Workers’ Compensation.