What does workers’ compensation cover in California?

Workers’ compensation laws exist to help employees receive medical care for workplace injuries or illnesses.

Fault is irrelevant when it comes to this essential compensation. However, in return for receiving these benefits, workers cannot sue their employers over a job-related injury.

Who must carry workers’ compensation insurance?

California law requires all employers to carry workers’ compensation insurance, even those with only one worker. If an employee gets hurt or sick on the job, the employer’s insurer must pay for the associated costs of the illness or injury.

What does workers’ compensation cover?

Workers’ comp covers fundamental benefits, including:

• Medical treatment to aid employees in recovering and returning to work
• Temporary disability payments if a worker needs time to recover
• Permanent disability benefits for a permanently debilitating injury
• Supplemental job displacement vouchers to train the employee for a new position if necessary
• Death benefits for the family if loss of life occurs

When should an employee make a workers’ compensation claim?

Employees should report a work-related incident to the company as soon as possible after sustaining an injury. People who fail to report the issue to the employer within 30 days could forfeit their right to workers’ compensation benefits. Similarly, employers must file the claim with insurance within one working day of learning that the incident took place.

Workplace accidents are difficult for employers and employees alike. If sustaining an injury, workers should know their rights and report the incident to their superiors as quickly as possible, even if they caused the mishap.