Get the Facts — Fix CA Workers Compensation

Get The Facts

California Workers’ Compensation System Must Be Fixed – Now

Workers’ compensation is meant to provide timely care and wages for employees injured on the job. But growing abuse, especially through cumulative trauma claims, is driving up costs, delaying care, and undermining trust. Reform is needed to protect benefits for workers who truly need them.

Workers compensation reform
1 in 4
claims are cumulative trauma — nearly twice the rate from 15 years ago
262
average number of days for a cumulative trauma claim to be reported after injury
82%
of cumulative trauma claims in 2024 involved attorneys
92%
of CA voters want accountability for abuse
The Issue

Costs Are Rising Rapidly

$7B
The estimated cost of cumulative trauma claims in California each year
$594.9M
Annual losses reported by public self-insured employers due to workers’ compensation claims
$238M
Average annual cost of cumulative trauma claims to local governments
32%
Increase in medical costs associated with indemnity claims
Workers compensation
System loopholes
The Abuse

System Loopholes Are Fueling Misuse

System loopholes are fueling misuse:

  • Attorney involvement is high — 82% of cumulative trauma claims in 2024 involved attorneys, and that rate has steadily climbed in recent years.
  • Nearly 58% of cumulative trauma claims are filed after employment ends.
  • 99% of post termination claims are litigated.
Take Action Now
The Fix

Targeted Reforms to Restore Balance

Targeted reforms are needed to hold those abusing the system accountable and ensure the workers’ compensation system and benefits are available for legitimately injured workers. Without action, rising costs will continue to put pressure on employers, public agencies, and taxpayers—threatening the long-term sustainability of the system and the benefits it provides to injured workers.

Require Clear Evidence
Set Filing Deadlines
Minimum Employment Periods
Stronger Documentation
Support for Reforms

Voters Support Reform

California voters overwhelmingly agree with common sense reforms to the system.

Without reform, rising costs will continue to strain employers, public services, and taxpayers. Balanced changes can curb abuse while preserving benefits for legitimately injured workers.

Support policy changes to prevent abuse 82%
Want accountability for abuse 92%
Support stronger job-related proof 86%
Support filing deadlines 73%
Support reforming California’s workers’ comp system 82%

Source: Statewide survey of 1,002 California likely voters from March 5–10, 2026.

Without reform, rising costs will continue to strain employers, public services, and taxpayers.

Balanced changes can curb abuse while preserving benefits for legitimately injured workers.

Fix CA Workers Comp Now
Sources

Data & Research References

  • Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau of California — 2026 Emerging Patterns of Cumulative Trauma Claims
  • Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau of California — 2025 State of the System Chart Data
  • Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau of California — Medical Characteristics of Cumulative Trauma Claims Report
  • Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau of California — 2025 State of the System Report
  • California Workers’ Compensation Institute — Public Self-Insured Workers’ Comp Claims & Losses Report
  • California Workers’ Compensation Institute — Research Update
  • California Department of Insurance — Workers’ Compensation Consumer Guide
  • California Department of Industrial Relations — Division of Workers’ Compensation FAQs
  • Commission on Health and Safety and Workers’ Compensation — Annual Report
  • Statewide survey of 1,002 California likely voters from March 5–10, 2026
  • Workers Compensation Action Network — Press Release, Employer Survey on California Workers’ Comp