Handbook: Navigating California’s Workers’ Comp

2026 Guide: Navigating Workers’ Comp in California

Written by EDG Partner, Diana Tsudik, this Handbook is aimed to simplify the workers’ compensation system, providing a roadmap through its complexities and helping stakeholders, including claims adjusters, risk managers, and employers navigate challenges with confidence. We hope the handbook will be a resource and support as we navigate the California legal system together.
Get your free Handbook

2026 Guide:
Navigating Workers’ Comp in California

Written by EDG Partner, Diana Tsudik, this Handbook is aimed to simplify the workers’ compensation system, providing a roadmap through its complexities and helping stakeholders, including claims adjusters, risk managers, and employers navigate challenges with confidence. We hope the handbook will be a resource and support as we navigate the California legal system together.

Get your free Handbook

What’s Inside!

TYPES OF INJURIES
  1. Specific Injury: Labor Code § 3208.1
  2. Cumulative Trauma: Labor Code § 3208.1
NOTICE OF CLAIM & STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS
  1. 30-Day Reporting Requirement: Labor Code § 5400
  2. 1-Year Statute of Limitations: Labor Code § 5405
POST-INJURY OBLIGATIONS
  1. Claim Form: Labor Code § 5401
  2. Employer’s Report of Occupational Injury or Illness: Labor Code § 6409.1
  3. Medical Treatment: Labor Codes § 4600; § 4616
DECISION DATES
  1. 14 days to decide
  2. 90 days to investigate
  3. Presumed Compensability
  4. Labor Codes § 5402(b) and § 3600(a)
PAYMENT OF INDEMNITY BENEFITS
  1. Temporary Disability Benefits (TD): Labor Code § 4650
  2. Temporary Partial Disability (TPD) Benefits: Labor Code § 4654
  3. Permanent Disability (PD) Benefits: Labor Code § 4650, Labor Code § 4656
  4. Late Payments: Labor Code § 4650(d)
  5. Supplemental Job Displacement Benefit (SJDB): Labor Code § 4658.7
  6. The California Return-to-Work Supplement Program (RTWSP)
MED-LEGAL PROCESS
  1. When To Initiate a Panel: Labor Code §§ 4060, 4061, 4062
  2. QME Panel: Labor Code 8 C.C.R. § 30
  3. The Panel Process: Labor Code 8 CCR § 31.5, Labor Codes § 139.2(h)(1) and 4062.1 and 4062.2
  4. Types of Panels: Labor Code § 4060, 4061, 4062
  5. Panel Dispute Process: Labor Code §5502(b)(C)/8 C.C.R. 10552(a)(3); 8 C.C.R 31.1
LITIGATION
  1. Application for Adjudication: Labor Code § 5501
  2. 30-Day Deadline to Object: Reg. 10488
  3. Change of Venue After 30 Days: Labor Code § 5501.6
  4. Affirmative Defenses: Labor Code § 3600
PYSCHE CLAIMS
  1. Psychiatric injuries: Labor Code § 3208.3:
  2. Predominant Cause Standard
  3. Employment Duration Requirement: Labor Code § § 3208.3 and 4660.1(c)(2)(A)-(B)
HEARINGS
  1. Declaration of Readiness (DOR)
  2. Types of Hearings
  3. Rating Mandatory Settlement Conferences
  4. Expedited Hearings
  5. Priority Conferences
APPEALS
  1. Petitions for Removal: Labor Code § 5310
  2. Petitions for Reconsideration: Labor Code § 5900
  3. Petition for Writ of Review (Court of Appeal): Labor Code § 5950
  4. Petition for Review (Supreme Court): California Rules of Court, Rule 8.500
SETTLEMENTS
  1. Compromise and Release Agreement (C&R)
  2. Stipulation with Request for Award (Stip)
  3. Open Medical Compromise and Release
DEATH BENEFITS
  1. Burial Expenses: Labor Code § 4701
  2. Death Benefits: Labor Code § 3501
  3. Distribution of Benefits: Labor Code § 4703.5, Labor Code § 4704
SANCTIONS
  1. Failure to Provide Timely Medical Treatment: Labor Code § 5402(c)
  2. Penalties for Delayed or Missed Temporary Disability (TD) Benefits: Labor Code § 4650(d), Labor Code § 5814
  3. Failure to Pay Permanent Disability (PD) Benefits: Labor Code § 4650(b), 5814
  4. Failure to Issue the SJDB Voucher: Labor Code § 4658.7
  5. Failure to Issue Claim Decisions Within 90 Days: Labor Code § 5402(b)
  6. WCAB Sanctions for Bad Faith Conduct: Labor Code § 5813; 8 CCR § 10561
  7. Summary of penalties and recommended practices  (Chart)
LIENS
  1. Employment Development Department
  2. When Defendant is Obligated to Pay:
  3. Other Liens
  4. Impact of Lien on Settlement
  5. Statewide Average Weekly Wage (Chart)
  6. Mileage Reimbursement (Chart)
MISCELLANEOUS
  1. Unique Aspects of California’s Workers’ Compensation System: Labor Code Section 132a, 3212, 3212.3 to 3212.5
  2. State Government Resources

Preview what’s inside!

Table of Contents

TYPES OF INJURIES
  1. Specific Injury: Labor Code § 3208.1
  2. Cumulative Trauma: Labor Code § 3208.1
NOTICE OF CLAIM & STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS
  1. 30-Day Reporting Requirement: Labor Code § 5400
  2. 1-Year Statute of Limitations: Labor Code § 5405
POST-INJURY OBLIGATIONS
  1. Claim Form: Labor Code § 5401
  2. Employer’s Report of Occupational Injury or Illness: Labor Code § 6409.1
  3. Medical Treatment: Labor Codes § 4600; § 4616
DECISION DATES
  1. 14 days to decide
  2. 90 days to investigate
  3. Presumed Compensability
  4. Labor Codes § 5402(b) and § 3600(a)
PAYMENT OF INDEMNITY BENEFITS
  1. Temporary Disability Benefits (TD): Labor Code § 4650
  2. Temporary Partial Disability (TPD) Benefits: Labor Code § 4654
  3. Permanent Disability (PD) Benefits: Labor Code § 4650, Labor Code § 4656
  4. Late Payments: Labor Code § 4650(d)
  5. Supplemental Job Displacement Benefit (SJDB): Labor Code § 4658.7
  6. The California Return-to-Work Supplement Program (RTWSP)
MED-LEGAL PROCESS
  1. When To Initiate a Panel: Labor Code §§ 4060, 4061, 4062
  2. QME Panel: Labor Code 8 C.C.R. § 30
  3. The Panel Process: Labor Code 8 CCR § 31.5, Labor Codes § 139.2(h)(1) and 4062.1 and 4062.2
  4. Types of Panels: Labor Code § 4060, 4061, 4062
  5. Panel Dispute Process: Labor Code §5502(b)(C)/8 C.C.R. 10552(a)(3); 8 C.C.R 31.1
LITIGATION
  1. Application for Adjudication: Labor Code § 5501
  2. 30-Day Deadline to Object: Reg. 10488
  3. Change of Venue After 30 Days: Labor Code § 5501.6
  4. Affirmative Defenses: Labor Code § 3600
PYSCHE CLAIMS
  1. Psychiatric injuries: Labor Code § 3208.3:
  2. Predominant Cause Standard
  3. Employment Duration Requirement: Labor Code § § 3208.3 and 4660.1(c)(2)(A)-(B)
HEARINGS
  1. Declaration of Readiness (DOR)
  2. Types of Hearings
  3. Rating Mandatory Settlement Conferences
  4. Expedited Hearings
  5. Priority Conferences
APPEALS
  1. Petitions for Removal: Labor Code § 5310
  2. Petitions for Reconsideration: Labor Code § 5900
  3. Petition for Writ of Review (Court of Appeal): Labor Code § 5950
  4. Petition for Review (Supreme Court): California Rules of Court, Rule 8.500
SETTLEMENTS
  1. Compromise and Release Agreement (C&R)
  2. Stipulation with Request for Award (Stip)
  3. Open Medical Compromise and Release
DEATH BENEFITS
  1. Burial Expenses: Labor Code § 4701
  2. Death Benefits: Labor Code § 3501
  3. Distribution of Benefits: Labor Code § 4703.5, Labor Code § 4704
SANCTIONS
  1. Failure to Provide Timely Medical Treatment: Labor Code § 5402(c)
  2. Penalties for Delayed or Missed Temporary Disability (TD) Benefits: Labor Code § 4650(d), Labor Code § 5814
  3. Failure to Pay Permanent Disability (PD) Benefits: Labor Code § 4650(b), 5814
  4. Failure to Issue the SJDB Voucher: Labor Code § 4658.7
  5. Failure to Issue Claim Decisions Within 90 Days: Labor Code § 5402(b)
  6. WCAB Sanctions for Bad Faith Conduct: Labor Code § 5813; 8 CCR § 10561
  7. Summary of penalties and recommended practices  (Chart)
LIENS
  1. Employment Development Department
  2. When Defendant is Obligated to Pay:
  3. Other Liens
  4. Impact of Lien on Settlement
  5. Statewide Average Weekly Wage (Chart)
  6. Mileage Reimbursement (Chart)
MISCELLANEOUS
  1. Unique Aspects of California’s Workers’ Compensation System: Labor Code Section 132a, 3212, 3212.3 to 3212.5
  2. State Government Resources

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