It takes seven years to close the vast majority of workers’ compensation claims in California, more than double the time in the median state.

The Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau of California released a report detailing duration drivers for California workers’ compensation claims.

The report, Drivers of California Claim Duration, describes duration drivers for California workers’ comp claims, including how claim duration differs regionally across the state.

Highlights of the report include:

• It takes seven years to close 90% of claims in California compared to three years for the median state.
• Longer California claim duration is driven by four “duration drivers,” including a higher share of permanent partial disability and cumulative trauma claims in California, a greater utilization of medical-legal services in California and regional differences within the state.
• Claim closing rates rose steadily following the reforms of Senate Bill 863, particularly for PPD claims of lower-wage workers.
• Claim closing rates declined during the pandemic in 2020 and were relatively flat in 2021.

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