California Workers Comp Settlement Estimator
Estimated settlement ranges for California across 20 common workplace injury types, built from California's actual benefit formula — not a national average.
California Workers Comp Rules at a Glance
- Wage replacement rate: 66.67%%
- Maximum weekly benefit: $1,764/week
- Waiting period: 3 days
- Filing deadline: 365 days
- Attorney contingency fee: 9-15%
- State agency: California Department of Industrial Relations, Division of Workers' Compensation (DWC)
Full filing deadline guide for California → · How to file a claim in California →
How a Claim Is Actually Calculated Here
On a $1,000 average weekly wage, California's formula puts the weekly benefit at $667. Over a typical 12-week recovery for a back injury, that's $8,000 in wage replacement before the settlement multiplier — producing the $12,000–$32,000 estimate shown in the table below. See the full methodology for how every number on this site is built.
Settlement Estimates by Injury Type
| Injury Type | Estimated Range | |
|---|---|---|
| Back and Spinal Injury | $12,000 – $32,000 | View estimate |
| Neck Injury | $6,900 – $16,000 | View estimate |
| Shoulder Injury (Rotator Cuff) | $10,000 – $23,300 | View estimate |
| Knee Injury | $9,300 – $21,300 | View estimate |
| Carpal Tunnel / Repetitive Stress | $4,800 – $10,000 | View estimate |
| Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) | $26,700 – $80,000 | View estimate |
| Herniated Disc | $14,900 – $37,300 | View estimate |
| Fracture — Upper Extremity | $6,900 – $16,000 | View estimate |
| Fracture — Lower Extremity | $11,200 – $28,000 | View estimate |
| Hearing Loss (Occupational) | Pending verification | View estimate |
| Burn Injury | $10,000 – $30,000 | View estimate |
| Amputation — Finger/Hand | $21,300 – $53,300 | View estimate |
| Amputation — Toe/Foot | $16,800 – $37,300 | View estimate |
| Hernia | $4,800 – $10,000 | View estimate |
| Occupational Lung Disease | Pending verification | View estimate |
| Chemical Exposure | $3,500 – $9,300 | View estimate |
| Psychological Injury (PTSD/Stress Claim) | $5,300 – $16,000 | View estimate |
| Vision Loss/Eye Injury | $3,700 – $9,300 | View estimate |
| Heart Attack (Occupational Stress Claim) | $6,700 – $20,000 | View estimate |
| Death Benefits (Survivor Claim) | Pending verification | View estimate |
Estimates only, not legal advice. See individual injury pages for the full calculation and this state's specific rules.
Not sure which injury applies to you?
Use the live calculator on the homepage to plug in your own wage and get an instant estimate for any injury type, not just the ones listed here.
Try the Live CalculatorOfficial Sources
- dir.ca.gov — Primary source
- atticus.com — Waiting period
- ailawyer.pro — Contingency (corrected)
Recent Changes
January 1, 2026
Maximum weekly benefit increased to $1764.11
California's TTD/PTD/death benefit maximum rises annually with the State Average Weekly Wage. For dates of injury on or after January 1 2026 the new maximum is $1764.11 per week (up from $1681.71).
Common Disputes in California
Disputes in California tend to fall into a few recurring categories: compensability (is this really a work injury), the extent of permanent disability, and disagreements over how average weekly wage was calculated.
California Workers Comp — Common Questions
How long do I have to file a workers comp claim in California?
365 days from the date of injury. See the full filing deadline guide above for exceptions that can extend it.
Do I need a lawyer for a workers comp claim in California?
Not always — straightforward, undisputed claims often don't need one. Attorneys here work on contingency (9-15%), so a free case review costs nothing even if you're unsure.
What agency handles workers comp claims in California?
California Department of Industrial Relations, Division of Workers' Compensation (DWC) oversees workers comp claims in California.
Related Guides
- What if my claim gets denied?
- Do I need an attorney?
- What is MMI and why does it matter?
- Permanent vs. temporary disability