California Workers' Comp Benefits (2026)
How California pays injured workers: the weekly rate while you recover, the 2026 maximum, and what each type of permanent injury is worth, with the statute behind each number.
What is different in California
California pays by the percentage, not the body part: the weeks per percentage point climb with severity (3 weeks per % under 10%, 16 weeks per % at 70% and above). The old 15% increase/decrease for return-to-work offers applies only to injuries before 2013.
Weekly benefits while you cannot work
| Weekly rate | 66.67% of AWW |
|---|---|
| Maximum weekly benefit | $1,764.11 (2026-01-01 to 2026-12-31) |
| Minimum weekly benefit | $264.61/week (or actual AWW if lower) |
| Waiting period | 3 days |
| Waiting days paid back after | 14 days of disability |
| Time limit on temporary benefits | 104 weeks |
Estimate your weekly check
What each injury is worth
| Injury | How it is paid | Max award |
|---|---|---|
| Back | impairment rating (see rule) | — |
| Neck | impairment rating (see rule) | — |
| Shoulder | impairment rating (see rule) | — |
| Knee | impairment rating (see rule) | — |
| Arm | impairment rating (see rule) | — |
| Hand | impairment rating (see rule) | — |
| Thumb | impairment rating (see rule) | — |
| Index Finger | impairment rating (see rule) | — |
| Leg | impairment rating (see rule) | — |
| Foot | impairment rating (see rule) | — |
| Big Toe | impairment rating (see rule) | — |
| Eye | impairment rating (see rule) | — |
| Hearing Loss | impairment rating (see rule) | — |
Permanent injuries in general
PD rating % (AMA Guides via the PD Rating Schedule, adjusted for occupation and age) converted to weeks by a cumulative table: 3 weeks per % up to 9.75%, rising to 16 weeks per % from 70% to 99.75%.
Law and official sources
Official sources
Statute: Cal. Lab. Code §§4453, 4652, 4653, 4656, 4658, 4659; Cal. Lab. Code §§4653, 4658(e), 4660
- Division of Workers' Compensation, California Department of Industrial Relations (official site)
- dir.ca.gov/DIRNews/2025/2025-116.html
- california.public.law/codes/labor_code_section_4656
- california.public.law/codes/labor_code_section_4658
Figures checked September 30, 2026. Maximums change every year; confirm current figures with the California workers' compensation agency.
Estimate only. Your real award depends on your doctor's rating, your wage records, offsets and settlement terms. This page is general information, not legal advice.