Other Types of Benefits

Medical Care:

You are entitled to reasonable medical care needed to cure or relieve the effects of a work-related injury or illness. If appropriate, the Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) may award lifetime medical care for a work-related medical condition.

Care can include doctors, hospitals, chiropractors, nurses, medicine, braces, canes, hearing aids, as well as any necessary and reasonable care ordered by a doctor.

Under California's Workers' Compensation law, "doctor" includes physicians and surgeons, psychiatrists, psychologists, optometrists, dentists, podiatrists, osteopathic and chiropractic practitioners licensed by California state law.

Workers' Compensation also provides for reimbursement for transportation to medical treatment and pharmacies. 

Death Benefits:

If an employee is killed on the job, or dies from a heart attack or other disease found to be caused or aggravated by work, the surviving spouse, minor children or other dependents may be entitled to receive benefits. Dependents who are good faith members of the household also may be eligible for benefits, even if not legally married. These benefits are substantial, especially for families with several dependents. It is one of the most overlooked benefits available to family members of employees whose job contributed to their death.

If the job-related injury was not the main cause, but contributed to the death, a dependent spouse and children still may be entitled to full death benefits. Even survivors only partially dependent on support of the deceased worker may be eligible. There is also an allowance for reimbursement of burial expenses.

The Statue of Limitations generally requires that death claims be filed within one year of the date of death, and no later than 240 weeks from the date of the injury. However, there are several important exceptions to this rule. Individuals who feel they may be entitled to this benefit should consult an attorney.

Vocational Rehabilitation Benefits:

• Vocational rehabilitation is available (until January 2009) for injuries before Jan. 1, 2004.
• Vocational rehabilitation is abolished for injuries after Jan. 1, 2004, except for limited educational vouchers, significantly reducing return to work assistance through workers' compensation.