Tag: temporary disability

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NO NONSENSE

Per today’s DWC Newsline, the maximum and minimum rates for total temporary disability in 2022 will remain unchanged from 2021 rates. This also means the rates for death benefits, life pension, and permanent total disability won’t be changing either.

Since these benefit rate changes are derived from the year over year increases in California’s state average weekly wage, it’s little wonder the state average weekly wage went down, instead of up for the first time in many years. Astute readers might wonder why the temporary disability and associated benefit rates aren’t going down next year – since the state average weekly wage did. The way these statutes were drafted, only the yearly increases in state average weekly wage are used for adjusting the benefit rates.

Don’t tell Lexis, but this is going to make my work updating the charts for the Labor Code book slightly easier.

Photo courtesy of Paul Sableman

By Posted on Posted in Average Weekly Wage, Case Law, COLA, Life Pension, Permanent Total Disability, SAWW, Temporary Total Disability, Workers Compensation Resources 1 Comment Tagged with , , , , , , ,

Double dip done right
Double dip done right

Some commentators have suggested that the recent Duncan v. WCAB (X.S.) case creates a “double dip” for injured workers entitled to permanent total disability benefits.  ((Photo courtey of alex012))  While I would take issue with much of that commentary, I would agree that permanent total disability benefits are affected by changes in the state average weekly wage twice under Duncan v. WCAB (X.S.).  Of the four benefits in California workers’ compensation system that are affected by changes in the SAWW, only permanent total disability benefits are affected twice.

It took the patient guidance of a very smart friend to help me to understand how this works:

  • When determining the proper starting rate for a permanent total disability case, you must first turn to Cal. Labor Code § 4453(a)(10).  This statute dictates that the limits (as in the statutory minimum and statutory maximum limits) are to be increased by the increase in the state average weekly wage (or SAWW).
  • However, according to Cal. Labor Code § 4659(c) as interpreted by Duncan v. WCAB (X.S.), the benefit rates themselves are then increased by the increase in the state average weekly wage (or SAWW).

Is it “double dipping” to have both the upper/lower limits and benefit rates increased by the SAWW?

Perhaps, but that’s what the two statutes say and what the Court of Appeals has decided.

By Posted on Posted in Average Weekly Wage, Case Law, COLA, Death Benefits, Life Pension, Permanent Total Disability, SAWW, Temporary Total Disability, Workers Compensation Resources No Comments Tagged with , , , ,

Getting a handle on the SAWW
Getting a handle on the SAWW

Four benefits in California workers’ compensation are affected by changes in the state average weekly wage (or SAWW). ((Photo courtesy of Sean Venn))

  1. Temporary total disability benefits
    • The maximum and minimum benefit rates can be affected by the SAWW.
    • “Commencing on January 1, 2007, and each January 1 thereafter, the limits specified in this paragraph shall be increased by an amount equal to the percentage increase in the state average weekly wage as compared to the prior year.”  Cal. Labor Code § 4453(a)(10).
  2. Life pension benefits
    • The statutory life pension rates are now increased by the SAWW as directed by the recent Duncan v. WCAB (X.S.) case.
    • “For injuries occurring on or after January 1, 2003, an employee who becomes entitled to receive a life pension or total permanent disability indemnity as set forth in subdivisions (a) and (b) shall have that payment increased annually commencing on January 1, 2004, and each January 1 thereafter, by an amount equal to the percentage increase in the “state average weekly wage” as compared to the prior year.”  Cal. Labor Code § 4659(c).
  3. Permanent total disability benefits
    • First, the minimum and maximum limits for permanent total disability benefits are increased, then the benefit rates themselves are increased.
    • “Commencing on January 1, 2007, and each January 1 thereafter, the limits specified in this paragraph shall be increased by an amount equal to the percentage increase in the state average weekly wage as compared to the prior year.”  Cal. Labor Code § 4453(a)(10).
    • “For injuries occurring on or after January 1, 2003, an employee who becomes entitled to receive a life pension or total permanent disability indemnity as set forth in subdivisions (a) and (b) shall have that payment increased annually commencing on January 1, 2004, and each January 1 thereafter, by an amount equal to the percentage increase in the “state average weekly wage” as compared to the prior year.”  Cal. Labor Code § 4659(c).
  4. Death benefits
    • “A death benefit in all cases shall be paid in installments in the same manner and amounts as temporary total disability indemnity would have to be made to the employee, unless the appeals board otherwise orders.” Cal. Labor Code § 4702(b).

Did I just describe two increases to the permanent total disability benefit rate?  Huh, so I did.

Tune in tomorrow for more on Duncan v. WCAB, COLA’s, and SAWW increases!