After a work-related injury, one of the biggest questions on your mind is likely: How long does workers comp last? Between mounting medical bills and lost wages, understanding how long you can count on financial support is essential to planning your recovery and protecting your future.
In California, the length of time you can receive workers’ compensation depends on the type of benefits you’re entitled to and the severity of your injury. Some benefits may only last a few months, while others can extend for years, or even a lifetime in rare cases. Let’s explore the different types of workers’ comp benefits, how long each typically lasts, and what happens if your payments stop before you’re ready to return to work.
List of Contents
- 1 Overview of Workers’ Comp Benefits in California
- 2 How Long Does Temporary Disability Last?
- 3 How Long Does Permanent Disability Last?
- 4 How Long Does Workers Comp Last With Medical Care?
- 5 What About Supplemental Job Displacement Benefits?
- 6 Does a Workers’ Comp Settlement End All Benefits?
- 7 When Workers’ Comp Ends: What’s Next?
- 8 How Jon Marlowe Law Can Help
Overview of Workers’ Comp Benefits in California
Workers’ compensation provides different types of help depending on your injury and how it affects your ability to work. In California, the main benefits include:
- Medical Care – Covers doctor visits, hospital stays, medications, and other treatment costs related to your work injury.
- Temporary Disability Benefits – Pays part of your lost wages if you can’t work while recovering.
- Permanent Disability Benefits – Offers ongoing payments if your injury causes lasting limitations.
- Supplemental Job Displacement Benefits – A voucher to help you pay for retraining or education if you can’t return to your old job.
- Death Benefits – Financial support for your dependents if a loved one dies due to a job-related injury or illness.
Each benefit has its own rules for how long it lasts, which we’ll explain in the next sections.
How Long Does Temporary Disability Last?
Temporary disability benefits are designed to replace part of your lost wages while you recover from a work injury. In California, these payments typically begin when your doctor says you can’t do your regular job and you’re not offered modified work.
Standard Duration
You can receive temporary disability for up to 104 weeks (about two years) within a five-year period from the date of your injury. These weeks don’t have to be used all at once; they can be spread out over time if needed.
Extended Benefits for Serious Injuries
If you have certain serious conditions, like severe burns, chronic lung disease, or amputations, you may be eligible for up to 240 weeks of temporary disability.
When Do Payments Stop?
Temporary disability usually ends when:
- Your doctor says you can return to work (full or modified duty), or
- You reach maximum medical improvement (MMI) which means your condition isn’t expected to improve with more treatment.
At that point, your case may shift to a permanent disability claim, depending on your lasting limitations.
How Long Does Permanent Disability Last?
If your work injury causes lasting health problems, you may qualify for permanent disability (PD) benefits. These payments help make up for lost earning capacity when you can’t fully recover, even after reaching maximum medical improvement (MMI).
How Long You Receive PD Depends on Your Rating
After you reach MMI, your doctor assigns you a disability rating which is a percentage that reflects how serious your long-term injury is. The higher the rating, the longer your benefits may last.
- Lower ratings (under 100%): You’ll receive weekly payments for a set number of weeks based on the percentage. For example, a 10% rating might equal about 30 weeks of payments.
- 100% disability (total permanent disability): You may be eligible for payments for the rest of your life.
Other Factors That Affect Duration
- Apportionment: If part of your disability is due to a pre-existing condition, your weekly payments might be reduced.
- Work Ability: If your injury prevents you from returning to work in any capacity, your PD benefits may be more significant.
Permanent disability doesn’t replace all your lost income, but it provides long-term support when a full recovery isn’t possible.
How Long Does Workers Comp Last With Medical Care?
In California, there’s no fixed time limit on how long workers’ comp will cover your medical treatment. As long as your care is reasonable, necessary, and related to your work injury, your employer’s insurance should continue to pay for it, even years after the injury.
What’s Covered
Workers’ comp medical benefits typically include:
- Doctor visits and hospital stays
- Prescription medications
- Physical therapy or rehabilitation
- Surgeries and medical equipment
- Travel costs for medical appointments
Ongoing Authorization Required
While there’s no set end date, treatment must be approved through a Utilization Review (UR) process to ensure it meets medical guidelines. If your doctor recommends care, but UR denies it, you may need to appeal.
Even if other benefits stop, medical care can continue for as long as it’s helping you recover or manage your condition.
What About Supplemental Job Displacement Benefits?
If your injury prevents you from returning to your old job and your employer doesn’t offer you other work, you may qualify for a Supplemental Job Displacement Benefit (SJDB).
This benefit comes in the form of a one-time voucher worth up to $6,000. You can use it to pay for:
- Tuition and training programs
- Books and supplies
- Tools required for retraining
- Licensing or certification fees
- Computer equipment (up to $1,000)
When and How Long You Have to Use It
To qualify, your employer must not offer you regular, modified, or alternative work within 60 days after your doctor says you’ve reached maximum medical improvement (MMI). If eligible, you’ll receive the voucher from the insurance company.
You have:
- 2 years from the date the voucher is issued to use it
- Or 5 years from your injury date, whichever comes later
It’s a valuable tool for starting a new career path if returning to your previous role isn’t possible.
Does a Workers’ Comp Settlement End All Benefits?
It can, depending on the type of settlement you agree to. In California, there are two common types of workers’ comp settlements:
1. Compromise and Release (C&R)
This is a lump-sum settlement where you receive a one-time payment to close your case completely. In most cases:
- You give up your right to future medical care and ongoing benefits.
- It provides immediate financial relief, but no coverage for future treatment.
This type of settlement is final, so it’s important to fully understand your long-term medical needs before accepting it.
2. Stipulated Award
With this agreement:
- You receive biweekly payments based on your disability rating.
- You keep your right to ongoing medical treatment for your injury.
- Your case can be reopened if your condition worsens.
Choosing the right settlement option depends on your health, work future, and financial situation. An experienced workers’ comp attorney can help you make the right decision and protect your long-term benefits.
When Workers’ Comp Ends: What’s Next?
If your workers’ comp benefits come to an end but you’re still unable to work or fully recover, you still have options.
1. Apply for Social Security Disability (SSDI)
If your injury causes a long-term or permanent disability that keeps you from working in any job, you may qualify for federal SSDI benefits. These can provide monthly payments and access to Medicare after a waiting period.
2. Explore Retraining or Career Changes
If you’re no longer able to return to your previous job, your Supplemental Job Displacement Benefit (SJDB) can help you train for a new career. Vocational programs and community colleges often accept the voucher.
3. Reopen Your Claim (in Some Cases)
If your condition worsens after your case is settled through a stipulated award, you may be able to reopen your claim within five years from the date of injury. This can allow you to seek more benefits or medical care.
4. Talk to an Attorney
Sometimes benefits end too early or unfairly. If you believe your rights were violated or you’re being left without needed support, legal help can make a difference.
How Jon Marlowe Law Can Help
Navigating workers’ comp in California isn’t easy, especially when your benefits are running out or you’re unsure what comes next. At Jon Marlowe Law, we’ve helped injured workers across the Bay Area and Central Valley protect their rights, fight unfair benefit denials, and secure the compensation they deserve.
If you’re dealing with a denied return-to-work offer, a confusing disability rating, or a settlement offer that feels too low, we’re here to guide you. Our firm takes a personalized, hands-on approach to every case, making sure you understand your options and feel supported at every step. Figuring out how long does workers comp last for you just got easier.
Contact Jon Marlowe Law today for a free consultation. We’ll review your situation and help you take the right next step, before your time runs out.