Amended Bill Proposes 51% PPD Benefit Hike

Permanent partial disability benefits would increase by about 51% under a recently amended bill proposing the first benefit increase in California since SB 863. Sen. Anna Caballero, D-Merced, on Monday amended SB 555 to propose increasing the range of wages used to calculate PPD benefits.  For injuries on or after Jan. 1, 2027, the minimum average weekly earnings would be $363, and the maximum would be $658. SB 863 increased the wage range used to calculate PPD benefits to $240-$435, effective Jan. 1, 2014. PPD benefits are equal to two-thirds of the injured workers' average e...