Workers’ comp insurance coverage provides much needed financial protection to people hurt on the job. Benefits are paid out to help support injured workers. As explained by the California Department of Industrial Relations, the benefits available through the program are primarily designed to help workers get the “medical treatment you need to recover from your work related injury or illness” and “partially replace the wages you lose while you are recovering.” In this article, our Fresno workers’ comp attorney provides a more detailed overview of the different types of benefits that may be available through a claim.
Five Different Types of Workers’ Comp Benefits in California
Medical Coverage
An injured worker should not be required to bear the cost of their medical care. Workers’ compensation insurance covers all medical treatment deemed “reasonably necessary” for the employee to make a full recovery. This includes everything from emergency medical treatment to ongoing rehabilitative care.
Temporary Disability benefits
Temporary disability benefits are essentially “wage loss” benefits. If you are forced to miss time on the job due to your work-related injury, temporary disability covers a significant share of the earnings that you missed out on. Generally speaking, your temporary disability benefits are worth two-thirds of your average weekly wage—up to a state-mandated maximum benefit of $1,356.31 (2021). If you are able to work part-time (or lower paying light-duty work) while you are recovering, your temporary disability benefits can help to cover the gap in lost wages.
Permanent Disability Benefits
Unfortunately, not all injured workers are able to make a complete recovery. Permanent disability benefits are designed to provide compensation for a permanent impairment. How much you are entitled to receive in permanent disability benefits is set by California state law. The key factor will be your impairment rating (disability rating) as set by a doctor. If you have any questions about permanent disability benefits or impairment ratings, contact an experienced Fresno, CA workers’ comp lawyer for help.
The Supplemental Job Displacement Benefit
California’s supplemental job displacement benefit is designed to cover vocational retraining or skills-enhancement. If you are unable to return to your previous position after a work-related injury—either because of your ongoing impairment or because your job is no longer available—you may be eligible to receive a state-funded voucher to help cover certain job retraining and/or educational costs.
Death Benefits
Tragically, fatal workplace accidents happen every year. California’s workers’ comp insurance system provides death benefits to the spouse, child, and other financial dependents of the deceased workers. To start, up to $10,000 is provided for funeral and burial costs. Death benefits are then paid at the Death benefits are paid at the total temporary disability rate.
Contact Our Fresno Workers’ Compensation Lawyer for Immediate Help
Joseph C. Yrulegui is a skilled workers’ comp attorney. If you have any questions about your eligibility for work injury benefits, Mr. Yrulegui can help. Contact us now for a fully confidential review of your case. From our Fresno law office, we provide workers’ comp legal services throughout the region, including in Fresno County, Madera County, and Mariposa County.
