The Insurance Journal published an article entitled “Workers Compensation Income Benefits Fall Short for Injured Workers: WCRI”. The article discussed the adequacy of the income benefits provided by workers’ compensation for injured workers. The data published was based on Michigan data and it was researched and published by Workers’ Compensation Research Institute. The research highlighted, how adequacy can be determined by examining the extent to which workers’ compensation income benefits help maintain income after an injury. Some of the findings were:
Workers with 1 to 12 months of temporary disability benefits had a total income that was projected to replace between 91% and 95% of their earning had they not been injured.
Within 10 years after an injury, the earnings and income benefits an average worker received were projected to be 88% of what a worker would have earned if not injured. 

The study focus of the Workers’ Compensation Research Institute was on the adequacy of income benefits for injuries sustained in 2004. In respect of filing of workers’ compensation benefits it is important to be aware of what an injured employee is entitled to receive as part of the California workers’ compensation program.

An attorney from ODG Law stated that the first set of payments an employee is entitled to receive is for the payment of his or her medical care. In accordance with California law the Division of Workers’ Compensation must ensure that an injured worker will receive all medical treatment necessary to ‘care or relieve’ the effects of the injury, with no deductible or ‘out of pocket’ expenses to the employee. Such treatment includes doctors’ bills, hospital bills, prescription medications and medical equipment as well as up to 24 chiropractic sessions and 24 visits to a physical therapist for any rehabilitation that may be necessary to the recovery of the injured employee. This is catered for up to the point where the employer’s insurance company accepts or denies the employee’s workers’ compensation claim; the Division of Workers Compensation is liable for paying up to $10000 of the employee’s medical costs even if the claim is rejected.

The second form of payment that is due to the employee is that of temporary disability. Such payments are intended on replacing some of the wages lost as a result of the employee’s inability to work during the time whereby he or she is disabled. The attorney stated that, “it is unlawful for an employer to force an employee to take vacation or sick time instead of collect temporary disability payments by way of the workers’ compensation system. The attorney further stated that California provides for the replacement of two thirds of an employee’s average weekly wages during the time that the employee is considered to be temporarily disabled and unable to perform the functions of his or her job. Besides the average weekly wage, overtime and income from a second job or business owned by the employee are included in the temporary disability payments.

Have you recently been injured while on the job or suffered illness as a result of your job? If so, there is need for you to know California workers’ comp laws. For more information with regards to California’s workers’ compensation laws seek out a law firm of workers’ compensation lawyers to provide advice and representation.

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The ODG Law is a law firm of renowned professionals who specialize in workers’ compensation law. They provide advice and legal representation for employees who are in need of workers’ compensation. Choose ODG Law for a Los Angeles workers’ compensation lawyer.