California Workers Comp Quick Facts

The following represent the state of the law as of January 1, 2006. Please note that worker's compensation law can be complex and these laws and policies are subject to amendment at any time. If you need help with a worker's compensation issue, please consult a licensed attorney.

Is Worker's Compensation Compulsory? Yes

Are Waivers Permitted? No

Numerical Exceptions: None.

Choice of Physician: Employer makes the initial selection of physician. After a period of time specified by state law, the employee has free choice. Unless the employer or the employer's insurer has established a "medical provider network", employer has initial selection of physician and employee can change to physician of own choosing after 30 days. An employee who has notified his or her employer in writing prior to injury that they have a personal physician, and whose providers provide nonoccupational health care coverage, has the right to be treated by his or her personal physician after job-related injury. By statute, a maximum of seven percent of all employees statewide may so predesignate. The right to be treated by one's personal physician at the outset of injury also applies if the employer has failed to post notice of workers' compensation rights as required. If an employer or insurer has established a medical provider network, then under most conditions the employer controls the initial selection of physician and all care must be provided within the network for the life of the claim.

Waiting Period For Comp Benefits After Injury: 3 days (temporary total disability only.)

Compensation is retroactive if disability continues for what period of time from the date of injury? 14 days (also retro- active if person is hospitalized)

Attorney Fees Permitted: Individual case basis; however an attorney cannot collect a fee for representation.

What are the benefits of workman's comp:

• Protect your employees: Provide your employees no-fault liability insurance for work-related injury and illness, covering medical expenses, lost wages, vocation rehabilitation, and more.
• Avoid Fines and Penalties: Prevent your company from being the target of an investigation by your state's department of labor or workmans compensation agency.
• Reduce lost productivity: Workmans comp can work to your advantage. Monitor temporarily disabled employee's progress and make accommodations for their early return. It's your right.
• Reduce litigation and waste: Save time and money by providing your employees capped rewards for work-related injuries or illness.

Make the Right Workmans Compensation Decision
Are you aware of your rights and responsibilities in respect to workmans compensation insurance?
Depending on your state's workmans compensation (or workmans comp) laws, your business might be eligible for reductions in its workmans comp insurance premiums, making it more competitive in the marketplace.
Most state workmans compensation laws are "competitive," meaning employers can purchase workmans comp insurance from private insurers, not just their state's non-profit fund.
With workmans comp insurance premiums on the rise in some states, it pays to shop and compare policies and premiums online. Use workmanscompinsurance.net to request online quotes for your next workmans comp policy.
Remember, only Texas has an "elective" workmans comp system. That means employers in every other U.S. state and province (within certain limitations) must provide employees this benefit.

Property & Casualty (Liability) Insurance Companies

ACE American Insurance Company
AIG Casualty Company
American Alternative Insurance Company
American Modern Home Insurance Company
American Reliable Insurance Company
American Safety Insurance US Group
AON Corporation Group
Applied Underwriters Inc.
Arrowhead Insurance Company Ltd
Assurance Company of America
Axis Insurance Company
Balboa Insurance Company
Burlington Insurance Company
Cambridge Business Insurance Ltd
Capitol Indemnity Corporation
Century-National Insurance Company
Chubb Group of Insurance Companies
Clarendon Insurance Companies
Colonial American Casualty and Surety Company
CNA Insurance Companies
Dallas National Insurance Company
Deerbrook Insurance Company
Diamond State Insurance Company
Employers Insurance Group 
Encompass Insurance Company
Essex Insurance Company
Explorer Insurance Company
Fireman's Fund Insurance Companies
First American Specialty Insurance Company
First Mercury Insurance Company
FM Global Group
Foremost Corporation Group
Geovera Insurance Company
Geovera Insurance Group 
Granite State Insurance Company (a member of American International Group Inc.)
Great American Insurance Company
Grupo Nacional Provincial SA
Hartford Insurance Group 
Homeland Insurance Co. of New York
Illinoise Union Insurance Company 
International Insurance Group Ltd
Lexington Insurance Company 
Liberty Mutual Insurance Companies
Lloyds of London (Certain Underwriters at)
Markel Corporation Group 
Mount Vernon Fire Insurance Company
National Indemnity Group
Navigators Insurance Company
OneBeacon Insurance Group
Pacific Select Property Insurance Company
Pacific Specialty Insurance Company
Pennsylvania Lumberman's Mutual Insurance Company
Philadelphia Indemnity Insurance Company
Pilgrim Insurance Company
Progressive Casualty Insurance Company
QBE Holdings Inc
Republic Indemnity Company of California
RLI Insurance Company
Royal & Sun Alliance USA
Safeco Insurance Companies
Scottsdale Insurance Company & Scottsdale Surplus Lines Insurance Company
Sirius Insurance Company
St. Paul/Travelers Companies & St. Paul Surplus Lines Insurance Company
State Fund
State National Companies
Travelers Property Casualty Insurance Company 
Tudor Insurance Company
United National Group
United States Fidelity & Guaranty (USF&G)
United States Liability Insurance Company (USLI)
Unitrin P & C Insurance Group
Zenith Insurance Company