California Workers’ Compensation Benefits as of 2022

MEDICAL

No deductible or co-payment.
Treatment to cure or relieve the affects of injury or illness that is scientific and evidence based. The American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (ACOEM) guidelines are presumed correct.
Every carrier must have utilization review process.
Mileage for medical appointments reimbursed at $.56 per mile for travel on or after 1/1/21.
Chiropractic and Physical Therapy is limited to 24 visits each for the life of the claim for injuries on or after 1/1/04. The number of visits can be extended post-surgery for injuries after 1/1/08. Chiropractors cannot be deemed the Primary Treater after the 24 visits are exhausted.
Employer / Carrier must pay up to $10,000 in medical treatment until denial on a delayed AOE/COE.

Two-thirds of Average Weekly Wage (gross earnings).
Minimum: Date of injury on or after: 1/1/22 = $230.95; 1/1/21 = $203.44; 1/1/20 = $194.91; 1/1/19 = $187.71/week; 1/1/18 = $182.29/week; 1/1/17 = $175.88; 1/1/16 = $169.26; 1/1/15 = $165.49
Effective for injuries after 4/19/04 thru 12/31/2007, limited to 104 weeks within two years based on the date of the first payment.
Effective for injuries after 1/1/08; limited to 104 weeks within five years based on a total of 104 weeks paid, regardless of first payment date.
Maximum: Date of injury on or after: 1/1/22 = $1539.71; 1/1/21 = $1356.31; 1/1/20 = $1299.43; 1/1/19 = $1,251.34; 1/1/18 = $1,215.27; 1/1/17 = $1,172.57; 1/1/16 = $1,128.43; 1/1/15 = $1,103.29
Seasonal: If no off-season earnings, no TTD is due during the off season.

Compensation for any permanent physical impairment resulting from an injury or illness. Effective 1/1/05, PD will be determined using the AMA Guidelines for the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment.
As of 1/1/13, no PD Advances due if employee returns to work.
Paid weekly until the amount of the rating is paid in full or resolved by a lump sum payment.
Weekly Minimum: 1/1/13-current = $160
Weekly Maximum: 1/1/13-current = $290

A VOUCHER plan that pay accredited schools for training to a qualified injured employee.
For injuries after 1/1/04, Supplemental Job Displacement Benefit (SJDB) for School Vouchers replaces Vocational Rehabilitation; sliding scale of $4,000 - $10,000, dependent on level of PD.
For injuries after 1/1/13, SJDB = $6,000 with the voucher expiring after 2 years or 5 years from DOI

Based on number of dependents.
Paid at the weekly Temporary Disability rate, with a minimum of $224/ week, until youngest dependent reaches the age of 18.
Maximum: On or after 1/1/13 = $320,000, or more if minor or disabled children
Burial Benefits: Up to $10,000.