Report on Benefit Levels Sparks Debate about Adequacy

By Greg JonesWestern Bureau ChiefA survey of state comp laws shows California has one of the lowest permanent partial disability payment rates in the country, which applicants’ attorneys say highlights the insufficiency of these benefits even after the 30% increase under Senate Bill 863.Employers and defense attorneys, however, say the maximum weekly PPD payment is just one component used to calculate benefits and leads to misleading conclusions when viewed in isolation.The maximum weekly permanent partial disability is $290 in California, lower than all but four other states, according ...