California must fix workers’ compensation to protect the system for injured workers,
stop bad actors from abusing the system and bring rising costs under control.
Protect Injured WorkersClose Loopholes & Stop AbuseAdvance Commonsense ReformsClose Legal LoopholesClose Bad Actor AccountabilityCommonsense Guardrails
California must fix the workers’ compensation system to protect injured workers, stop bad actors from abusing the system, and bring rising costs under control.
The state’s workers’ compensation system represents an enduring promise of guaranteed medical care and wage replacement for workers injured on the job – and it must be protected. Abuse of the system diverts and delays resources from workers with legitimate injuries, putting the integrity of the system at risk.
1 in 4
Claims are cumulative trauma — nearly twice the rate from 15 years ago.
$7B
The estimated cost of cumulative trauma claims in California each year.
32%
Increase in medical costs associated with indemnity claims.
Californians for Fair Workers’ Compensation is a broad coalition of local governments, small businesses, nonprofits and employers who have come together to advance commonsense reforms to stop abuse, close legal loopholes and ensure the workers’ compensation system is sustainable. The coalition was formed in response to rising cumulative trauma claims, growing system complexity, and gaps in current law that are putting pressure on the system and the benefits it provides to legitimately injured workers. We are advancing targeted reforms to restore fairness and accountability, protect benefits for workers who are legitimately injured on the job, and ensure the long term sustainability of the system.
Join us in fixing California’s workers’ compensation system and protecting benefits for legitimately injured workers.
Torrance currently has 540 open workers’ compensation claims, with total spending reaching $87.7 million. Of those claims, 173 are cumulative trauma claims, representing 32% of all open claims and $32.4 million, or 37% of total workers’ compensation spending…Torrance currently has 540 open workers’ compensation claims, with total spending reaching $87.7 million. Of those claims, 173 are cumulative trauma claims, representing 32% of all open claims and $32.4 million, or 37% of total workers’ compensation spending. These claims are often more complex to evaluate and manage, frequently involving multiple body parts, extended treatment periods, and difficult return-to-work planning… These increasing costs force difficult budgetary tradeoffs and divert funding away from services residents rely on, including parks, infrastructure, staffing, training, workplace safety investments, and other core community needs. We support reforms that improve accountability, reduce abuse, and create a more sustainable workers’ compensation system while maintaining strong protections for employees with valid claims.
Mayor George K. Chen
City of Torrance
“
California’s workers’ compensation system must be fair to injured workers and equitable, sustainable, and accountable to taxpayers. Every dollar spent on workers’ comp represents a scarce tax dollar needed to provide critical services to County residents…California’s workers’ compensation system must be fair to injured workers and equitable, sustainable, and accountable to taxpayers. Every dollar spent on workers’ comp represents a scarce tax dollar needed to provide critical services to County residents. We need focused reforms that restore balance and protect benefits for workers who truly need them – and we can’t afford to wait.
Anthony Taras
County of Los Angeles Manager and Workers’ Compensation Administrator
“
The growing pattern of cumulative trauma claims that we’re seeing is a pervasive problem, and it’s limited our ability to reinvest in our workers through higher wages, benefits and opportunities because we just don’t have the budget…The growing pattern of cumulative trauma claims that we’re seeing is a pervasive problem, and it’s limited our ability to reinvest in our workers through higher wages, benefits and opportunities because we just don’t have the budget. It’s the number one barrier to success, and it’s forcing businesses like ours to consider the feasibility of expanding in California.
Erika Rotolo
Head of People, HomeState — Woman-Owned Southern California Restaurant Group
“
Workers’ compensation should be there for people who are truly injured on the job, but abuse is undermining trust and diverting resources away from legitimate claims. We need lawmakers to restore balance by shoring up the law and requiring claims to be based on real evidence and connection to work…Workers’ compensation should be there for people who are truly injured on the job, but abuse is undermining trust and diverting resources away from legitimate claims. We need lawmakers to restore balance by shoring up the law and requiring claims to be based on real evidence and connection to work.
Tim East
Californians for Fair Workers’ Compensation
“
My husband and I built this restaurant with hard work, long days, and a love for serving people. For decades, we believed in the promise that if you worked hard, treated people right, and built something honest, you could succeed in California. But our American dream has turned into a nightmare…My husband and I built this restaurant with hard work, long days, and a love for serving people. For decades, we believed in the promise that if you worked hard, treated people right, and built something honest, you could succeed in California. But our American dream has turned into a nightmare. Today, small business owners like me are being pushed to the breaking point because people can make questionable claims years after they’ve stopped working. When that happens, it is not just an insurance problem — it hurts employees, it hurts customers, and it takes away from the family atmosphere we worked so hard to create.
Restaurant Owner
Southern California
“
Our family has run a small retail market in Southern California for nearly 50 years – our employees feel like family, so if someone is hurt on the job, we want to be sure they get the quality care they deserve. We had an employee who got injured and the workers’ comp system worked the way it should…Our family has run a small retail market in Southern California for nearly 50 years – our employees feel like family, so if someone is hurt on the job, we want to be sure they get the quality care they deserve. We had an employee who got injured and the workers’ comp system worked the way it should. He got treatment, healed and he still works for us today. What’s hurting us and small businesses like ours is people taking advantage of the system, and it’s happening more and more in California. We’ve had situations where an employee never told us they were hurt, never filed a claim, left employment and then weeks later, we receive a letter saying they’re now claiming cumulative trauma injuries. For a small family business, it means higher insurance costs as our X-mod goes up. Plus, not to mention many sleepless nights wondering how much more we can absorb. We hear similar stories from other business owners who are being hit by similar post-employment cumulative trauma claims. We want to do right by our workers and make sure that those who are truly injured on the job to get the care they deserve, but those abusing the system are making it harder for honest employers and honest workers alike. We need commonsense reforms so that workers’ compensation can function as a safety net, not the jackpot for a lawsuit lottery.
Fix CA Workers Comp Now