{"id":371862,"date":"2016-10-24T14:22:43","date_gmt":"2016-10-24T19:22:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ability-fl-prod.internetbrands.com\/ability-law\/state\/california-law\/california-workers-compensation-laws.html"},"modified":"2026-08-24T09:00:28","modified_gmt":"2026-08-24T14:00:28","slug":"california-workers-compensation-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/california-law\/california-workers-compensation-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"California Workers’ Compensation Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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California Workers' Compensation Laws<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Susan Buckner, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Catherine Hodder, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n

California <\/span>workers<\/span>‘ compensation<\/span> is a state-mandated, no-fault<\/span> insurance system that provides medical coverage and partial wage replacement to employees injured on the job. In exchange for guaranteed medical treatment<\/span>, disability payments<\/span>, and death benefits<\/span>, employees forfeit the right to sue their employers for workplace injuries<\/span>.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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California\u2019s <\/span>workers<\/span>‘ compensation<\/span> system<\/span> is a no-fault<\/span> insurance system that requires all employers with at least one employee to carry medical coverage for their employees. Workers\u2019 compensation<\/span> coverage<\/span> applies to all work-related injuries<\/span> and illnesses regardless of fault and must cover all medical costs and expenses, plus a percentage of the employee\u2019s lost wages and benefits.<\/p>\n

In exchange for full coverage, injured employees<\/span> cannot sue their employers if they or the business was responsible for their injuries. California\u2019s <\/span>workers<\/span>\u2019 compensation<\/span> program is managed by the Department of Industrial Relations<\/span><\/a>. Both California employers<\/span> and employees can get information about workers\u2019 comp<\/span> insurance<\/span> at the Division of <\/span>Workers\u2019 Compensation<\/span> (DWC<\/span><\/a>) site.<\/p>\n

This page reviews the basics of California\u2019s <\/span>workers<\/span>\u2019 comp<\/span> insurance<\/span>. It\u2019ll teach you what you need to know about eligibility, filing, and appealing a denied claim.<\/p>\n

Workers Comp<\/span> Eligibility<\/h2>\n

Under the state of <\/span>California<\/span>\u2019s <\/span>workers<\/span>\u2019 compensation<\/span> laws<\/span><\/a>, nearly everyone paid to work by another entity or individual is covered by workers\u2019 compensation<\/span>. Any employer with at least one paid employee must have workers\u2019 comp<\/span> insurance<\/span>. The law includes coverage<\/a> for:<\/p>\n