California senator introduces permanent disability

California Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata has introduced Senate Bill 815, which, if it passes, will increase permanent partial disability benefits for workers’ compensation claimants. The bill would double the weeks of permanent disability awarded to injured workers by phasing in increases in the number of weeks awarded to each level of disability. Currently, disabilities rated at 10 percent would get three weeks of disability payments for each 1 percent of disability rating. The Perata bill would increase the awards to four weeks for injuries after Jan. 1, 2007, five weeks for injuries after Jan. 1, 2008, and six weeks for injuries after Jan. 1, 2009.

Perata hopes to make good on a promise made more than a year ago in which he said he would revamp rules that determine permanent disability benefits.

The bill has an uncertain future, however. The governor’s office has said Schwarzenegger will not sign any legislation that rolls back reforms that have improved the business climate.

The Association of California Insurance companies opposes the bill.