100

Number of days past a July deadline the California Legislature took to pass a budget. Legislative action was stalled when Democrats and Republicans couldn’t agree on areas to reduce spending to close the $19 billion budget deficit. Without a budget, the state Division of Workers’ Compensation because perilously close to being unable to pay benefits to 2,700 injured employees whose benefits are paid from the Uninsured Employer Benefit Trust Fund and the Subsequent Injuries Benefits Trust Fund.

4.5%

How much benefits paid under California’s state workers’ compensation programs rose in 2008, reaching $54.2 billion, according to the National Academy of Social Insurance. The group said the sagging economy took a toll on California’s covered work force and payroll in 2008, but the workers’ compensation system remains the largest in the U.S., accounting for more than 1 out of 9 covered workers, more than 1 out of 8 dollars in covered wages, and 1 out of 6 benefit dollars paid under state and federal programs.

Topics California Workers' Compensation