subject: California Workers Compensation And The Employers Responsibility In Work-related Injuries [print this page] Under California law, most private employers are required to provide their employees with workers compensation after suffering from work-related injuries and illnesses. The claim will cover the workers medical expenses, loss of wages, and disability.
Examples of Accidents and Diseases Covered by Workers Compensation
Due to chemical exposure, a factory worker has been diagnosed with a lung disease.
A delivery man fell from his motorbike and broke his leg.
A product controller has lost his hearing because of the constant loud noise.
Because of being overworked, a supervisor has been experiencing severe stress and fatigue. (Note: Not all psychological injuries are covered by workers compensation.)
Benefits for Injured Workers
Medicaid
This medical claim will be paid by employers to help workers pay their hospital expenses and future medical needs.
Temporary disability benefits
For workers who sustained temporary disability, this payment will cover the loss of wages while they are recovering from their injuries.
Permanent disability benefits
In some cases, the injured workers will become permanently disabled which will result to a diminished or complete loss of earning capacity.
Supplemental job displacement benefit
For workers who will not recover completely from their injuries, they will receive training or skill enhancement program.
This program will also be given to employees if they decide not to return to their previous jobs or their employers do not have any other work for them suitable for their present condition.
Death benefits
If the work-related injuries will result to death, the workers family will receive appropriate compensation.
Aside from workers compensation, employees who are injured in work-related accidents can also receive other benefits. These are:
Social Security disability benefits
Workers who are Social Security contributors can file for disability benefits if they have been injured or disabled, regardless if this is work-related or not.
Meanwhile, employees who are receiving workers compensation claims will have their Social Security benefits reduced.
In some cases, certain family members of Social Security beneficiaries will receive separate payments.
Employer-provided health benefits
Some employers provide their workers with sick leave, private health insurance, group health plan, salary continuation plan, and long term disability insurance (LTD).
Personal injury lawsuit
If the injury is not work-related but is caused by a negligent person other than the employer, a worker can file personal injury lawsuit to recover loss of wages, medical expenses, and disability that results to the complete loss or reduced earning capacity.
State Disability Insurance (SDI)
SDI is a state-provided assistance given to injured employees whose workers compensation has been delayed or denied.
Unemployment insurance
In rare cases, this payment, which is usually given to laid-off or unemployed workers, is provided if their workers compensation has been delayed or denied.
