Human Resources

Workers' Compensation

The Way it Was
In the early 20th century, a worker injured on the job had to sue his employer to recover medical expenses and lost wages.

The Way It Is
Today, the California workers' compensation law provides a faster, fairer way to take care of injured workers...where fault doesn't have to be proved to recover medical expenses and lost wages. This job-injury insurance is paid for by the employer and supervised by the state. If you can't work due to a job-related injury or illness, workers' compensation pays your medical bills and provides money to live on until you can return to work.

Who's Covered?
All City Employees are protected by workers' compensation.

What's Covered?
Any injury or illness is covered if it's due to your job. Everything from first-aid type injuries to serious accidents are covered. Some injuries from voluntary, off-duty recreational, social or athletic activity - may not be covered. Check with your supervisor or claims office.

What You Have To Do
Immediately notify your supervisor so you can get medical help right away. If it's more than a simple first-aid injury, your supervisor will give you a claim form so you can describe the injury and how, when, and where it happened. Complete the claim form and return it to your supervisor immediately. Prompt reporting is the key to prompt benefits.

Benefits
The California workers' compensation law guarantees you three kinds of benefits:

1. Medical treatment to cure the injury...and no deductibles.
2. Tax-free payments to help replace lost wages while you're temporarily disabled. The City has a salary continuance benefit for the its employees. Additional payments are made if the injury results in a permanent disability or death.
3. Rehabilitation services necessary to get you back to work. The amount of the payments, and when and how they're paid, are part of state law. Only the state Legislature can change the amounts.

The Workers' Compensation laws and benefits are subject to yearly change, please contact the Human Resources, Workers' Compensation Division with questions.

If You Have Questions...
Ask your supervisor or call the Workers' Compensation office at (951) 826-5559.

WORKERS' COMPENSATION FRAUD IS A FELONY
Anyone who knowingly files or assists in the filing of a false workers' compensation claim may be fined up to $50,000 and sent to prison for up to five years (Insurance Code section 1871.4).