How Long Can You Be on Workers' Comp in California?

How Long Can You Be on Workers’ Comp in California?

cartwrightlaw - April 25, 2024 -

how long can you be on workers comp in california

California has an extensive workers’ compensation program that covers all industries. According to state laws, every employer in California must carry workers’ compensation insurance to compensate individuals who sustain injuries or become ill during work.

However, the worker’s compensation program operates like any other type of insurance with specific levels of coverage and exclusions. The extent of coverage depends on the premiums an employer is willing to pay, explaining why some workers enjoy more comprehensive coverage than others.

California law doesn’t require employees to purchase permanent or long-term disability benefits. The law only requires employers to provide short-term disability coverage— some employers acquire additional coverage to attract and retain high-performing and exceptional talent.

You may, therefore, be entitled to compensation if you sustain an injury or become ill in the line of duty. 

Working with a trusted Discovery Bay, CA workers’ compensation attorney can help your chances of obtaining a fair settlement value for your losses.

How Long Can You Be on Workers’ Comp in California?

If you have filed a workers’ compensation claim after sustaining an injury or illness, you will likely receive two types of benefits. First, workers’ compensation insurance covers medical expenses until you obtain maximum medical improvement.

Some of the expenses it covers include hospital fees, surgical fees, prescription costs, and rehabilitation expenses.

Secondly, you’ll receive disability benefits based on the severity of your injury and how long you may be unable to work. Knowing how long to expect the benefits can help you make proper financial plans if you have suffered a severe injury.

Here’s how long you might be on workers’ compensation in California:

In many cases, an employee who has sustained a permanent injury can continue receiving compensation benefits for 104 weeks. If the injured worker’s employer does not offer permanent disability coverage, they may transition to Social Security Disability Benefits.

However, if your injury falls under unique exceptions like chronic lung disease or severe burn, you may be eligible to receive temporary disability benefits for 240 weeks. If you still cannot return to work and have sustained permanent disability, you may qualify for permanent disability benefits.

Injured workers may be eligible for permanent disability benefits depending on the severity of the impairment and how it affects their ability to perform work-related tasks.

Ultimately, each injury case is unique, so the length of time on workers’ compensation will depend on several factors, including:

  • The severity of an injury
  • The length of the treatment program
  • Adherence to treatment plans

Contact an Experienced Discovery Bay Workers’ Compensation Attorney to Discover Your Options

Suppose you’ve sustained a hip fracture in a slip-and-fall accident at work. In that case, you may endure a worsening quality of life because of pain and suffering, hefty medical expenses, lost income, and loss of enjoyment of life.

Now that you know how long can you be on workers comp in California, you must know too that you deserve representation from an experienced attorney who’ll aggressively protect your worker’s rights. The Cartwright Law Firm has decades of experience representing injured victims, which gives us the experience to pursue a fair settlement for your losses.

Contact us online or at (415) 851-6486 for a free case review.

California has an extensive workers’ compensation program that covers all industries. According to state laws, every employer in California must carry workers’ compensation insurance to compensate individuals who sustain injuries or become ill during work.

However, the worker’s compensation program operates like any other type of insurance with specific levels of coverage and exclusions. The extent of coverage depends on the premiums an employer is willing to pay, explaining why some workers enjoy more comprehensive coverage than others.

California law doesn’t require employees to purchase permanent or long-term disability benefits. The law only requires employers to provide short-term disability coverage— some employers acquire additional coverage to attract and retain high-performing and exceptional talent.

You may, therefore, be entitled to compensation if you sustain an injury or become ill in the line of duty. 

Working with a trusted Discovery Bay, CA workers’ compensation attorney can help your chances of obtaining a fair settlement value for your losses.

How Long Can You Be on Workers’ Comp in California?

If you have filed a workers’ compensation claim after sustaining an injury or illness, you will likely receive two types of benefits. First, workers’ compensation insurance covers medical expenses until you obtain maximum medical improvement.

Some of the expenses it covers include hospital fees, surgical fees, prescription costs, and rehabilitation expenses.

Secondly, you’ll receive disability benefits based on the severity of your injury and how long you may be unable to work. Knowing how long to expect the benefits can help you make proper financial plans if you have suffered a severe injury.

Here’s how long you might be on workers’ compensation in California:

In many cases, an employee who has sustained a permanent injury can continue receiving compensation benefits for 104 weeks. If the injured worker’s employer does not offer permanent disability coverage, they may transition to Social Security Disability Benefits.

However, if your injury falls under unique exceptions like chronic lung disease or severe burn, you may be eligible to receive temporary disability benefits for 240 weeks. If you still cannot return to work and have sustained permanent disability, you may qualify for permanent disability benefits.

Injured workers may be eligible for permanent disability benefits depending on the severity of the impairment and how it affects their ability to perform work-related tasks.

Ultimately, each injury case is unique, so the length of time on workers’ compensation will depend on several factors, including:

  • The severity of an injury
  • The length of the treatment program
  • Adherence to treatment plans

Contact an Experienced Discovery Bay Workers’ Compensation Attorney to Discover Your Options

Suppose you’ve sustained a hip fracture in a slip-and-fall accident at work. In that case, you may endure a worsening quality of life because of pain and suffering, hefty medical expenses, lost income, and loss of enjoyment of life.

Now that you know how long can you be on workers comp in California, you must know too that you deserve representation from an experienced attorney who’ll aggressively protect your worker’s rights. The Cartwright Law Firm has decades of experience representing injured victims, which gives us the experience to pursue a fair settlement for your losses.

Contact us online or at (415) 851-6486 for a free case review.

Our successful case results are a reflection of the values and virtues we believe in and uphold at Cartwright Law Firm. Nothing stops us from pursuing justice on behalf of those who need it.

Robert E. Cartwright Jr.
Founder and Managing Partner