Click here to download the California Workers' Compensation Injured Worker Guidebook

Temporary total disability rate for 2008 will increase to $916.33 per week
The maximum temporary total disability (TTD) rate will increase to $916.33 on Jan. 1, 2008. This marks the second year in a row that the TTD rate will be affected by a change in the state average weekly wage (SAWW).

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Covered Injuries
There are four types of injuries which workers compensation may cover: Traumatic physical injuries, Repeated trauma injury, Mental injuries and Occupational disease. The vast majority of workers compensation claims are going to be characterized as a traumatic physical personal injury arising out of an accident. The next most common group of injuries are those cases of repeated trauma.

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Enron Ex Vice Chairmans Estate Must Return $1.3 Million
AccountingWEB.com - September 22, 2006

A judge ruled that deferred compensation payments made to John Clifford Baxter, the former vice chairman of Enron Corp., in excess of $1.3 million must be returned to the company.

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Disability coverage important for protection
By: CANDACE BAHR - For the North County Times

Do you have disability insurance? Many of us don't. A recent survey by the Consumer Federation of America found that 82 percent of us do not have adequate long-term disability insurance, and one-third said that their families could live for no more than three months on their savings in the event of a disability.

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New Study Finds Injured Workers in Bad Shape Nation-Wide
September 25, 2006
Source: Center for Justice & Democracy

In a just released report, the Center for Justice & Democracy, a consumer watchdog group, surveys the workers' comp. laws and procedures throughout the United States and finds disturbing trends and conditions for injured workers, with little relief in sight.

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Comp claim release no bar to civil action in California
The standard language on preprinted mandatory release forms used in settling workers comp claims releases only those claims that are within the scope of the workers comp system...

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No increase in temporary total disability rates for 2006
California's average weekly wage for 2005 was just below the level that would have triggered a change in temporary total disability rates for 2006 injuries, according to the California Workers' Compensation Institute. But a cost-of-living adjustment kicks in Jan. 1 for permanent total disability claims with injuries on or after Jan. 1, 2003, and several other benefit increases from the 2002 workers' comp reforms also take effect

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Workers' Compensation Appeals Board
Exercises all judicial powers vested in it by the Labor Code in a reasonable and sound manner and provides guidance and leadership to the workers' compensation community

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Division of Workers' Compensation
One-hour workshops you will learn about: Your right to medical treatment, Disability payments, Returning to work after your injury, Resolving a disagreement over your claim.

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California Labor & Workforce Agency News Release
The California Labor & Workforce Development Agencyannounced today the appointment of Carrie Nevans to the position of acting deputy administrative director for the Department of Industrial Relation's Division of Worker's Compensation.

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Statement by Governor Schwarzenegger on Anniversary of Workers' Compensation Reform
"When I became Governor, I promised that I would take action to bring jobs back to California, and eliminate the barriers to prosperity that were chasing businesses out of our state. At the top of our agenda was fixing California's broken workers' compensation system, which had become the poison of our economy. Small businesses in particular were struggling under the weight of high costs, and injured workers were not receiving the care they deserved. This was unacceptable.

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Division of Workers' Compensation releases first annual report of progress on workers' comp reforms SB 899 implementation on target and moving forward
SAN FRANCISCO - The California Division of Workers' Compensation (DWC) has released its first annual report of progress on implementation of Senate Bill (SB) 889, the law authorizing workers' compensation reform passed overwhelmingly by the Legislature and signed into law by Gov. Schwarzenegger on Apr. 19, 2004.

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Schwarzenegger Explains Why 30% Premium Cut Hasn't Materialized as Promised
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said June 5th that he was not alarmed by the comparatively small drop in rates charged by the government-backed fund that sells workers' compensation insurance, predicting steeper declines after his overhaul of the system takes hold.

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New Bills Pending
As of July 21, 2004 there were several Workers' Compensation bills pending in the legislature that may be of interest to the community. Among the pending bills, we find A.B. 2866 that involves Internet posting of Workers' Compensation Fraud convictions, SB 10 4X that eliminates "Medi-Cal" from the Official Medical Fee Schedule formulation, and changes the method to calculate fees for pharmaceuticals.

The bills can be searched, read and followed by clicking here.