California Workers' Comp Benefits: Medical, TD, PD & Death Benefits (2026)

California workers' compensation provides some of the most comprehensive benefits in the nation for injured workers. If you've been injured on the job in California, understanding what benefits you're entitled to and how they're calculated is essential to ensuring you receive full compensation.

This guide explains all California workers' comp benefits including medical treatment, temporary disability, permanent disability, vocational rehabilitation, and death benefits, with current 2026 rates and calculations.

Medical Benefits

Full Coverage for All Reasonable Treatment

What's covered: 100% of all reasonable and necessary medical treatment related to your work injury

No cost to you:

• No deductibles
• No co-pays
• No out-of-pocket expenses whatsoever

Includes:

• Emergency room visits
• Doctor visits (specialists and primary care)
• Hospital stays
• Surgery and anesthesia
• Prescription medications
• Physical therapy and rehabilitation
• Occupational therapy
• Chiropractic care (if reasonable and necessary)
• Acupuncture (if medically appropriate)
• Medical equipment (wheelchairs, crutches, prosthetics, braces)
• Home health care services
• Psychological counseling (if related to injury)
• Diagnostic tests (X-rays, MRIs, CT scans, lab work)
• Mileage reimbursement ($0.655 per mile in 2026 for medical appointments)

Medical Provider Networks (MPNs)

What is an MPN: Employer's network of approved medical providers

If your employer has an MPN:

• You must choose doctors from the MPN list
• MPN must include adequate number and types of providers
• Must have been properly disclosed to you before injury

Exceptions to MPN requirement:

• You pre-designated your personal physician in writing before injury
• Emergency treatment (use nearest facility)
• After initial MPN treatment, you may request one-time change outside MPN

Learn more: Medical Provider Networks in California

Changing Doctors

Within MPN: Can change doctors within the network

One-time change outside MPN: After MPN doctor treats you, you can request one change to doctor outside network

Additional changes: Require good cause (personality conflict, lack of confidence, geographic inaccessibility)

Duration of Medical Benefits

For life: Medical treatment continues as long as it's:

• Reasonable
• Necessary
• Related to your work injury

No time limit: California does not cap medical benefits

Temporary Disability (TD) Benefits

When You're Unable to Work

Temporary Total Disability (TTD): Paid while you're completely unable to work during recovery

Temporary Partial Disability (TPD): Paid when you return to modified/light-duty work at reduced wages

TTD Payment Calculation

Rate: Two-thirds (66.67%) of your average weekly wage

Maximum weekly benefit (2026): $1,620.52 per week

Minimum weekly benefit (2026): $242.91 per week (if you earned at least $364.37/week)

Average weekly wage calculation:

• Based on earnings in year before injury
• Includes regular wages, overtime, shift differential
• Bonuses and commissions included if regular
• Multiple jobs combined if all contributed to injury

Example calculations:

• Earn $800/week: TD = $800 × 2/3 = $533.33/week
• Earn $3,000/week: TD = $3,000 × 2/3 = $2,000, but capped at $1,620.52/week

Waiting Period

First 3 days: No TD benefits paid (waiting period)

Exception: If disability lasts more than 14 days, first 3 days are paid retroactively

Example:

• Injured Monday, off work for 10 days → No pay for first 3 days
• Injured Monday, off work for 20 days → First 3 days paid retroactively

Maximum Duration

Standard: Up to 104 weeks of TTD within 5 years from date of injury

Extended to 240 weeks for:

• Severe burns
• Severe head injuries
• Complete or partial paralysis
• Total loss of vision
• Loss of two or more limbs

TD Ends When

• You return to work (same or modified duties)
• Doctor declares you permanent and stationary (maximum medical improvement)
• You reach 104-week maximum (or 240-week for qualifying injuries)
• You're released to return to work but refuse
• Doctor says you can work but employer has no suitable work

Permanent Disability (PD) Benefits

After Reaching Maximum Medical Improvement

When awarded: After you reach permanent and stationary (P&S) status—when your condition has stabilized and won't improve significantly with further treatment

Two types: Permanent Partial Disability (PPD) or Permanent Total Disability (PTD)

How Permanent Disability Is Rated

California's complex system uses the 2005 Permanent Disability Rating Schedule (PDRS) combined with AMA Guides:

Step 1: Doctor assigns impairment rating using AMA Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment

Step 2: Rating adjusted for:

• Occupation: How injury affects your specific job duties
• Age: Older workers generally receive higher ratings (harder to retrain/find new work)
• Diminished future earning capacity: Impact on ability to earn in future

Step 3: Final rating expressed as percentage (1%-100%)

Learn more: Permanent Disability Ratings in California

Permanent Partial Disability (PPD) Payment

Amount varies based on:

• Disability percentage
• Date of injury
• Whether you returned to work for same employer

2024-2026 rates (injuries on/after 1/1/2024):

• 1-25% disability: Approximately $170-$290 per percentage point
• 26-99% disability: Higher rates per percentage point

Examples:

• 10% PD rating: Approximately $2,700 total
• 25% PD rating: Approximately $14,250 total
• 50% PD rating: Approximately $48,750 total
• 75% PD rating: Approximately $95,000+ total

Payment schedule:

• Paid bi-weekly
• Can request advances in certain circumstances
• Lump sum settlements possible (Compromise & Release)

Permanent Total Disability (PTD)

Rare: Reserved for catastrophic injuries

Qualifying injuries:

• Loss of both eyes or sight in both eyes
• Loss of both hands or use of both hands
• Permanent and complete paralysis
• Injury to brain resulting in permanent mental incapacity
• Other injuries rendering person permanently unable to perform any work

Payment:

• 66.67% of average weekly wage
• Maximum: $1,620.52/week (2026)
• For life or until age 65 (whichever is later)
• Cost-of-living adjustments

Supplemental Job Displacement Benefit (SJDB)

Vocational Retraining Voucher

When provided: If you don't return to work for your injury employer within 60 days of permanent and stationary determination

Amount: Voucher worth up to $6,000

Can be used for:

• Tuition, fees, and books at state-approved schools
• Licensing or certification fees
• Tools required by education plan
• Miscellaneous expenses (up to 10% of voucher)

Restrictions:

• Must be used within 5 years (injuries before 1/1/2013)
• Must be used within 2 years (injuries on/after 1/1/2013)
• Only at California public schools or private schools approved by Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education

Not cash: Voucher paid directly to school/provider

Death Benefits

When Worker Dies from Work Injury

Two types of death benefits: Burial expenses and dependency benefits

Burial Expenses

Maximum: Up to $10,000 for funeral and burial costs

Paid to: Person who paid for burial expenses

Dependency Benefits

Total available: Up to $320,000 maximum (as of 2026)

Who receives:

Surviving spouse (total or partial dependency):

• Receives benefits until remarriage or death
• If no children: May receive entire $320,000
• If remarries: Receives 2 years of benefits as lump sum upon remarriage

Dependent children:

• Benefits paid until age 18
• Extended to age 19 if full-time high school student
• Extended to age 23 if full-time college student and financially dependent

Other dependents (if no spouse or children):

• Totally dependent parents
• Partially dependent relatives

Payment schedule:

• Based on deceased worker's average weekly earnings
• Paid bi-weekly or monthly
• Continues until maximum exhausted or beneficiaries no longer eligible

How Benefits Work Together

Example Timeline

Week 1-3 (Immediate after injury):

• Medical treatment begins (100% covered)
• No TD benefits (3-day waiting period)

Week 2-26 (Recovering):

• Continued medical treatment
• TD benefits begin after 3-day waiting period
• If disability exceeds 14 days, first 3 days paid retroactively

Month 6 (Reach MMI):

• Doctor declares permanent and stationary
• TD benefits end
• Permanent disability rating assigned

After P&S:

• Permanent disability benefits begin
• Supplemental Job Displacement voucher if don't return to work
• Ongoing medical treatment as needed

Benefit Payment Issues

Late or Missing Payments

Penalties for late payment:

• Self-imposed 10% penalty if TD delayed without good cause
• Additional penalties up to 25% for unreasonable delay

What to do:

• Contact claims administrator immediately
• Document all missed payments
• File complaint with DWC if not resolved
• Consult attorney

Overpayments

If you're overpaid: Claims administrator can seek repayment

Common causes:

• Returned to work but didn't report income
• Received disability from other source
• Calculation error

Your rights: Challenge overpayment determination if you disagree

Tax Treatment of Benefits

TD and PD benefits: Generally not taxable as income

Medical benefits: Not taxable

SJDB voucher: Not taxable

Settlement payments: Depends on what benefits are being settled (consult tax professional)

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How much will I receive in temporary disability? A: Two-thirds of your average weekly wage, up to $1,620.52/week (2026 maximum).

Q: Are workers' comp benefits taxed? A: No, TD and PD benefits are generally not taxable income.

Q: How long do TD benefits last? A: Up to 104 weeks (or 240 weeks for severe injuries) within 5 years of injury.

Q: Can I receive PD and still work? A: Yes! PD benefits are based on impairment rating, not whether you're working.

Q: What if I can never work again? A: You may qualify for Permanent Total Disability—66.67% of wages for life.

Q: How is my average weekly wage calculated? A: Based on earnings in the year before injury, including overtime and bonuses if regular.

Q: Do medical benefits ever end? A: No time limit—treatment continues for life as long as it's reasonable and necessary.

Q: What is the SJDB voucher? A: $6,000 retraining voucher if you don't return to work for injury employer.

Related California Workers' Comp Topics

• How to File a California Workers' Comp Claim
• Permanent Disability Ratings
• Medical Provider Networks
• California Workers' Compensation Overview

Legal Disclaimer

This guide provides general information about California workers' compensation benefits. Benefit amounts and calculations can be complex and depend on specific circumstances. For advice about your particular case and benefit entitlements, consult with a qualified California workers' compensation attorney.

Last updated: January 5, 2026