Types of Workers' Compensation Benefits
Before understanding duration, it's important to know the different types of benefits available under California's workers' compensation system:
- Medical Benefits: Covers necessary medical treatment related to the injury or illness
- Temporary Disability Benefits: Provides wage replacement during recovery
- Permanent Disability Benefits: Compensates for lasting impairments
- Supplemental Job Displacement Benefits: Offers retraining vouchers
- Death Benefits: Provides support to dependents
Medical Treatment Benefits
Medical care benefits have no time limit as long as the treatment is:
- Reasonable and necessary
- Authorized by the claims administrator
- Related to the work injury
"Medical treatment must follow evidence-based guidelines adopted by the Division of Workers' Compensation to ensure appropriate care."
Treatment must fall within the Medical Treatment Utilization Schedule (MTUS) guidelines, and some treatments require pre-authorization through the Utilization Review process.
Temporary Disability Benefits
Temporary disability benefits continue until:
- You return to work
- Your doctor releases you to work
- Your condition becomes permanent and stationary
- You reach the maximum payment duration
The maximum duration is generally 104 weeks within a five-year period from the date of injury. However, certain severe conditions like amputations, severe burns, or chronic lung disease may qualify for up to 240 weeks.
Permanent Disability Benefits
The duration depends on your disability rating:
| Disability Rating | Maximum Weeks |
|---|---|
| 1-69% | 3-602 weeks |
| 70-99% | Life payments |
| 100% | Life payments |
For ratings between 1% and 69%, the number of weeks increases progressively. Check the California Division of Workers' Compensation Benefits Calculator for specific durations.
Supplemental Job Displacement Benefits
If you qualify for a voucher worth up to $6,000, you have:
- Up to 2 years from the date the voucher is furnished to request payment
- Up to 5 years from the date of injury to use the voucher
Death Benefits
Death benefits are paid to dependents when a work-related injury results in death. Duration depends on:
- Number of dependents
- Relationship to the deceased worker
- Degree of dependency (total or partial)
Benefits are typically paid at the temporary disability rate until reaching the maximum amount.
Factors Affecting Benefit Duration
Several factors can impact how long benefits last:
- Severity of injury
- Recovery progress
- Age and occupation
- Pre-existing conditions
- Compliance with medical treatment
- Return-to-work opportunities
- Legal proceedings
- Medical evaluations
Important Deadlines
To maintain eligibility, workers must:
- Report the injury within 30 days
- File a claim form within one year
- Respond to communications from claims administrators
- Attend medical appointments
For more detailed information, visit the California Department of Industrial Relations website or the California Division of Workers' Compensation (DWC) website. The Permanent Disability Rating Schedule provides additional guidance for calculating benefits.