California’s PD benefits are now below the state’s minimum wage. The California Labor Federation has committed itself to raising benefits.
Historically, we know that winning that increase will come at a price. Employers and insurers will want something in exchange. They used the last benefit increase to win IMR. Injured workers lost medical treatment.
This time employers, insurers and Republicans will try to end post-separation cumulative trauma claims. Effectively wiping out claims for serious injuries in every industry where workers regularly move from one employer to another or whose work varies with the seasons… construction workers, farm workers, hospitality and tourism workers… immigrants and women of color who do the hardest jobs with the highest rates of injury.
The difference now is that there are more legislators than at any time in history whose families worked in those industries.
Senator Maria Elena Durazo’s family were farm workers. Senator Lena Gonzalez’ worked in construction. Senator Monique Limon’s in hotels. The list is much longer… so the chances of protecting these workers is better.
Nearly every cumulative trauma injury suffered by firefighters and police officers reveals itself post-separation. This proposal is the Republican version of Defunding the Police…in Workers’ Comp.
