California Workers Comp Settlement Calculator

Estimate your California workers compensation benefits. Covers Temporary Total Disability (TTD), Permanent Partial Disability (PPD), and Permanent Total Disability (PTD) benefits based on 2026 laws.

66.7% Benefit Rate$1,619/wk Cap (2026)AMA Scheduled WeeksMax TTD: 104 Weeks

For informational purposes only. This calculator provides estimates — not legal advice. Results vary based on your specific circumstances, state law, and insurance. Consult a licensed personal injury attorney in California for guidance on your case.

WC_AD_SLOT_TOP

California Workers Comp Settlement Calculator

Estimate TTD, PPD, or PTD benefits based on your state's workers comp rates

WC_AD_SLOT_BOTTOM

How California Workers' Comp Settlements Work

California operates an at-fault-free workers' compensation system administered by the Department of Industrial Relations (DIR). If you are injured on the job in California, you are entitled to medical care and weekly disability benefits regardless of fault.

For 2026, California's Temporary Total Disability (TTD) benefit rate is 66.67% of your Average Weekly Wage, capped at a maximum of $1,619 per week. TTD benefits are limited to a maximum of 104 weeks for most injuries. Permanent Partial Disability (PPD) benefits are calculated using the AMA Guides (5th Edition) scheduled body part weeks. If you suffer a permanent impairment, a physician will assign an impairment rating which determines the number of weeks of benefits you receive.

Lump-sum settlements in California typically occur through either a Compromise and Release (which closes the entire case, including future medical care, for a single lump sum) or a Stipulated Findings and Award (which keeps future medical care open but pays weekly disability benefits).

Frequently Asked Questions

How is a workers comp settlement calculated?

Unlike personal injury cases, workers compensation settlements do not include pain and suffering. Instead, they are calculated using a strict formula based on your average weekly wage (AWW), your state's benefit rate (typically 66.67%), and the number of benefit weeks assigned to your specific injury. For permanent partial disability (PPD), the formula is: AWW × benefit rate × impairment weeks × (impairment rating % / 100). The total weekly benefit is also subject to your state's weekly cap.

What is an impairment rating and how does it affect my settlement?

An impairment rating is a percentage between 0% and 100% assigned by a treating physician or an independent medical examiner once you reach Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI). This rating represents the permanent loss of function in your injured body part or body as a whole. A higher impairment rating directly increases your settlement value by multiplying the maximum scheduled weeks allowed for that body part under state law.

Should I get an attorney for my workers comp claim?

While you are not required to hire an attorney, data from the National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) shows that represented workers receive higher settlements on average — often yielding a 25% average uplift in payout even after accounting for attorney fees. Workers comp attorneys can help negotiate lump-sum amounts, dispute low impairment ratings, and ensure medical treatment is fully covered.

What is the difference between TTD, PPD, and PTD benefits?

Temporary Total Disability (TTD) pays weekly wage replacement (usually 66.67% of AWW) while you are completely unable to work during your active recovery. Permanent Partial Disability (PPD) compensates you for permanent, partial impairment of a body part (like a finger or arm) after reaching maximum recovery. Permanent Total Disability (PTD) provides ongoing or lump-sum benefits if you are permanently and completely unable to perform any gainful employment.

How accurate is this workers comp settlement calculator?

This calculator provides an estimate of your potential settlement based on state-specific rates, caps, and the formulas defined by law. However, actual workers comp settlements are negotiated agreements. Factors such as disputed medical evidence, pre-existing conditions, future medical cost projections, and the negotiation skills of your attorney will ultimately decide your final settlement amount. Use this tool as a starting estimate, not a legal guarantee.

Get Your California Estimate Now

Insurance adjusters utilize detailed tables and calculator software to establish standard payouts. Make sure you understand the statutory rates and caps that apply to your case.

Scroll back to the top of the page to enter your wages and compute a localized workers' comp settlement range.

Workers Comp Settlement Calculator by State

Select your state for a workers compensation calculator reflecting local replacement rates, weekly caps, and body part schedules.

Important Disclaimer

The settlement estimates produced by this calculator are for informational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. The multiplier method and per diem method are commonly used formulas — but actual settlement values depend on factors this tool cannot assess: liability disputes, comparative fault findings, insurance policy limits, medical documentation quality, attorney negotiation, and applicable state law in California.

No attorney-client relationship is created by using this tool. Consult with a licensed personal injury attorney in California before making any decisions. Most attorneys offer free consultations and work on contingency.

Pain and suffering caps, fault rules, and statutes of limitations change. Always verify legal details with a qualified attorney or official state sources.

No personal data collected

Free to use — no signup

Updated for 2025 state laws