U.S. Department of Labor data show that California’s State Average Weekly Wage (SAWW) rose from $914.60 to $956.20 for the 12 months ending March 31, 2008 – a 4.5484365 percent increase, which effective January 1, will push up the minimum and maximum weekly temporary total disability (TTD) rates for 2009 work injuries.

California’s TTD maximum rate for job injuries that occur in 2008 is $916.33 a week, but with the latest increase in the SAWW, the maximum will jump to $958.01 for claims involving work-related injuries and illnesses that occur on or after January 1, 2009. The minimum weekly TTD rate also is subject to annual adjustment based on increases in the SAWW, so the minimum rate ($137.45 for 2008 claims) will bump up to $143.70 for claims with 2009 injury dates.

Other workers’ comp benefits also may be affected by the increase in the SAWW, including temporary disability payments that are still being made two years or more after the injury date, Permanent Total Disability (100 percent PD) payments for injuries occurring on or after January 1, 2003, and installment payments on death claims. Claims organizations are encouraged to review any change in benefit rates with legal counsel to confirm that adjustments are appropriate and accurate. The California Workers’ Compensation Institute has published additional details in a Bulletin, which is available to Institute members and subscribers at www.cwci.org. California’s State Average Weekly Wage for the 12 months preceding March 31, 2007 is posted online at http://ows.doleta.gov/unemploy/content/data_stats/datasum07/1stqtr/DataSum_2007_1.pdf; and for the 12 months ending March 31, 2008 is at http://ows.doleta.gov/unemploy/content/data_stats/datasum08/DataSum_2008_1.pdf.