New Workers' Comp Regulations for Employers

The state Division of Workers' Compensation has issued new regulations for employers that include posting by Oct. 8, 2010, a "Notice to Employees - Injuries Caused by Work." The California Chamber of Commerce has issued a summary of the new regulations and links to helpful resources. 

Under the new regulations, California employers must also distribute a new ‘Your Rights to Workers’ Compensation Benefits’ pamphlet, and notes that failure to post the work injuries notice by the October deadline can result in fines of up to $7,000 in civil penalties. For a copy of the notice, click here.

For more information from the DWC on the new rules, click here.

According to the Chamber, all California employers must:

• Post the new version of the  ‘Notice to Employees – Injuries Caused by Work’ (dated 6/10/10) by October 8, 2010.
• Distribute a new ‘Your Rights to Workers’ Compensation Benefits’ pamphlet to all new employees who start to work on or after October 8, 2010, at the time of hire or before the end of the first pay period.

Employers within an existing Medical Provider Network (MPN) must:   

• Create a complete MPN Notice and post it next to the ‘Notice to Employees – Injuries Caused by Work’ poster by October 8, 2010.
• Give the same complete MPN Notice you've created to any employee injured at work on or after October 8, 2010.

Employers who are implementing, changing or terminating an MPN must: 

• Post a complete MPN Notice next to the ‘Notice to Employees – Injuries Caused by Work’ poster by October 8, 2010.
• Give the complete MPN Notice to any employee injured at work on or after October 8, 2010.
• Give all employees notice that you are implementing, terminating, or changing the MPN.