Benefits
Medical Care
Paid by your employer and/or workers' compensation insurance carrier, to help you recover from an injury or illness caused by work. You should never receive a medical bill. If you do send it to:
- Travelers
P.O. Box 6510
Diamond Bar, CA 91765
Policy Number: TC2J–UB–419J489–5–08
Effective: 07/01/2007 to 03/30/2008
Phone: 800–258–3710
Fax: 877–801–9677
Temporary Disability Benefits
Payments if you lose wages because you can't do your usual job while recovering. As a general rule, you are paid two-thirds of the gross (pre-tax) wages you lose after your third day off work while recovering from an injury. However, you cannot receive more than the maximum weekly amount set by law. These temporary disability payments begin when your treating doctor says you can't do your usual work for more than three days, or you are hospitalized overnight. Payments should be made every two weeks, for as long as you are eligible.
Permanent Disability Benefits
Payments if your treating doctor says you will never recover completely and will always be somewhat limited in your ability to work. These payments are limited, and may not cover all your lost income. The number of weekly payments you will receive is determined by a permanent disability rating, based on:
- your medical condition
- your date of injury
- your age when injured, and
- your occupation.
Permanent disability benefits amounts are set by law. After the first payment, permanent disability benefits should be paid every 14 days. They end when you reach the maximum amount allowed by law or when you settle your case and receive a lump sum.
Vocational Rehabilitation
Job placement counseling and possibly retraining, if you are unable to return to your old job and your employer doesn't offer other work. Vocational rehabilitation maintenance allowance benefits provide income support while you are participating in vocational rehabilitation. These payments are made every 14 days for as long as you are eligible. For injuries occurring on or after January 1, 1994, there is a $16,000 limit on all rehabilitation benefits.
Death Benefits
Payments to the spouse, children, or other dependents of a worker who dies from a job injury or illness. Death benefits should be paid every 14 days. A burial allowance is also paid.
More Information About Medical Care
- Can I choose the doctor who will treat me?
It depends. If you want to choose the doctor who will treat you for a job injury or illness, you must tell your employer, SDSU Research Foundation Human Resources, the name and address of your personal physician prior to a work related injury or illness. You must do it in writing. The written predesignation must be on file in the SDSU Research Foundation Human Resources Department. This is called predesignating your personal physician. If you predesignate you will be allowed to see your personal physician right after you are injured or become ill. If you don't predesignate, your employer will have the right to choose the doctor who treats you during the first 30 days after your employer learns about your injury or illness. You will be sent to a preapproved doctor in the MPN (Medical Provider Network).