Summary of the Contents – November/December 2003

States differ in the design and implementation of the cash benefits provided by

their workers’ compensation programs. This issue contains an article that provides

three types of data for most states: the frequency of claims for four types of cash benefits

and for medical benefits; the average benefits per claim for these types of claims;

and the cash benefits per 100,000 workers for the four types of cash benefits.

Figure A provides an example of how the workers’ compensation program in California

differs from the programs in other states in terms of two types of cash benefits.

Temporary total disability (TTD) benefits are paid to workers who are unable to work

while they are recovering from their work-related injuries. In California, the frequency

of TTD cases was above (130 percent) of the national average. However, the average of

cash benefits per TTD case in California was slightly more than half (53 percent) of the

national average. As a result, TTD cash benefits per 100,000 workers in California were

almost three-quarters (72 percent) of the national average.

Permanent partial disability (PPD) benefits are paid to workers who have permanent

consequences of their injuries that are not totally disabling. In California, the frequency

of PPD cases was more than twice (229 percent) the national average. The average

of cash benefits per PPD case was the same (100 percent) as the national average.

The combination of a very high frequency and average benefits per case resulted in PPD

cash benefits per 100,000 workers that were more than twice as high (252 percent) in

California as the national average.

Information on Workers’ Compensation Policy Review

Workers’ Compensation Policy Review is published six times a year. Requests for a sample copy or for subscription information can be sent by mail to WCPR, 56 Primrose Circle, Princeton, NJ 08540-9416; by FAX to 732-274-0678; or by filling out our online form.