2024 How Much Does Workers’ Comp Cost in California?

Workers’ compensation insurance is a requirement for almost every employer in the state, but how much does workers’ comp cost in California? This insurance is relatively expensive compared to most other types of insurance, and workers’ compensation is more expensive in the state than in many other states. It’s important to know how the cost of this insurance is determined and what it could mean for your claim.

Understanding Insurance Premiums for Workers’ Compensation

Workers’ compensation insurance functions very similarly to most other types of insurance in that the policyholder pays a regular premium to maintain their coverage. The insurance carrier sets the policyholder’s premium rate based on multiple factors. When it comes to workers’ compensation insurance, these factors primarily include the employer’s total number of employees and the perceived level of risk their operation entails.

For example, there is an obviously higher risk of injury when working on a construction site than one would face working in an office building. Therefore, a workers’ compensation insurance carrier is likely going to charge a significantly higher premium to the employer operating a construction site than they would charge to the employer running an office building.

Every policy contract will also include conditions as to how and when premiums may increase. For example, an insurance company may state that if a policyholder reports a specific number of claims within a designated timeframe, their premium will increase by a set amount. They can also stipulate what may disqualify a claimant from coverage or how a policyholder could potentially void their policy.

When Employers Fight Workers’ Compensation Claims

If you are injured while working and the injury is severe enough to require medical attention and prevent you from working, you are likely eligible to file a workers’ compensation claim. Your employer is legally required to provide you with the materials you may need to file your claim, and they are prohibited from interfering with the claim, preventing you from filing the claim, or retaliating against you for your legally protected action in asking to file your claim.

Unfortunately, some employers violate their legal obligations to their employees in various ways. They may attempt to convince injured workers not to file workers’ compensation claims, or they may take more overt actions and fire employees who report workplace injuries. These actions are unacceptable and against the law, so if you believe you have experienced any mistreatment from your employer after a workplace injury, it is crucial to consult an attorney right away.

An experienced California workers’ compensation lawyer can guide you through the process of filing your claim, and they will be an invaluable resource for helping you determine how to address any pushback you encounter from your employer and/or their insurance carrier. When it comes time to file your claim, they will ensure you are treated fairly and receive a suitable determination of benefits.

The Canlas Law Group has years of professional experience representing clients in their workers’ compensation cases, and we are ready to put this experience to work for you. If you believe you need legal counsel for your impending case, we are ready to leverage our experience for you and help you recover the benefits you deserve after your workplace injury.

FAQs

Q: Why Is Workers’ Compensation Insurance So Expensive?

A: California workers’ compensation insurance is so expensive for several reasons. The state has one of the largest state markets for workers’ compensation insurance because almost every employer in the state is required to have this insurance, and the state has a very high population. There are many high-risk industries operating, and the cost of living in the state is very high compared to other states, meaning medical expenses and medical coverage are more expensive.

Q: How Are Workers’ Compensation Benefits Calculated?

A: California workers’ compensation benefits are calculated based on an injured worker’s level of functional capacity remaining after their injury and their usual earnings for the year prior to their accident. A successful workers’ compensation claim should cover all the claimant’s medical expenses related to their workplace injury, and they can receive disability benefits that reflect their inability to work while they recover.

Q: Why Do Employers Fight Workers’ Compensation Claims?

A: Some employers fight workers’ compensation claims in California because too many claims in a short period of time could lead to a premium increase on their already expensive insurance policy. Insurance companies assign premium rates based on a policyholder’s perceived level of risk. The higher the risk, the higher the premium, so an employer who has many employees report injuries in a short time will be considered a higher-risk policyholder.

Q: Why Should I Hire a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer?

A: You should hire a workers’ compensation lawyer because you will be better prepared to address any unexpected challenges that arise with your claim when you have trustworthy legal counsel. If you encounter any problems with your employer and/or their insurance carrier, your attorney can address these issues for you. You are more likely to reach a positive outcome for your case when you have legal counsel on your side.

Q: What Will It Cost to Hire a Workers’ Compensation Attorney?

A: The cost to hire a workers’ compensation attorney in the state may amount to only a percentage of the total compensation you win from the case. Canlas Law Group offers contingency fee billing to workers’ compensation clients, meaning our firm takes only a percentage of the total case award we secure for you as our fee, and we collect this fee only if and when we win your case.

The Canlas Law Group wants to help you make clearer sense of your situation in the aftermath of a workplace injury. We know that navigating the workers’ compensation claim filing process can be challenging, even if you have a seemingly straightforward claim. Our goal is to help you get the benefits you need as quickly as possible, so contact us today and schedule your free consultation to learn more about how we can assist you with your claim.