Losing your income because of a workplace injury creates immediate financial stress. Bills keep arriving, rent comes due and your family depends on you to provide for their basic needs.
When your injury stops you from returning to your old job, the worry about how you’ll survive financially can feel overwhelming. The good news is that California’s workers’ compensation system offers several options to help you stay financially stable and move forward.
Permanent disability benefits provide continued support
California’s workers’ compensation system recognizes that some injuries prevent you from returning to your previous work permanently. Permanent disability benefits provide weekly payments based on several factors:
- Your disability rating from a doctor
- Your age at the time of injury
- Your job
- Your previous pay before the injury
These benefits provide regular payments that continue for a specific time depending on your physical condition. Generally, worse disabilities get payments for longer periods.
Retraining programs open doors to new careers
When your injury prevents you from doing your old job, California has rehabilitation benefits to help you learn new skills. The state offers between $4,000 to $10,000 in non-transferable vouchers you can use on retraining programs like:
- Job training classes that teach you skills for different types of work
- School programs at community colleges or trade schools
- On-the-job training with employers who work with your physical limits
- Job placement help to find you suitable work
- Resume writing and interview practice support
The goal involves helping you return to gainful employment despite your physical limits from the workplace injury.
Legal help may protect your continued income
Workers’ compensation claims get more complicated when permanent disability enters the picture. Insurance companies often dispute disability ratings or offer settlements that fall short of what you deserve.
An experienced workers’ compensation attorney makes sure you get all the benefits you deserve and helps stop insurance companies from cutting off your support too early. They fight for accurate disability ratings, proper benefit calculations and access to retraining programs.
Knowledge brings peace during difficult times
You have several options to support yourself financially when you can’t go back to your previous work because of a permanent injury. You don’t have to face this challenge alone or figure out every detail by yourself. Knowing what steps you can take and who can help you out reduces the mental burden you carry and allows you to focus on your recovery and rebuilding your future.