This book has two sections. The first section deals with the History of the California Workers Compensation system and the initial reform law Senate Bill 899. The next section which begins in chapter 6 to 18 has to do with the Current reform law SB 863 one of the most comprehensive and sweeping reform. The book will be valuable to both injured workers and employers by expanding their knowledge about the California Workers Compensation system from the inception of claims to final settlement and lien resolution. Dr. Elias Teferi

“Unfortunately, the modern workers' compensation system has become a wilderness of red tape. You need a sober understanding of where you are going, the system's benefits (and where they fall short), how to quickly obtain those benefits, and where else to look for help.” –Attorney Thomas K. Ledgerwood Thomas K. Ledgerwood's compact and clearly organized book, designed to help California residents understand the workers' compensation system, guides readers through decisions such as where to begin when they are injured on the job, whether to consult a lawyer, and how the claim process works.Written in clear language, this book covers the financial and legal aspects of a workers' compensation claim, and answers questions like, “How do I protect myself financially while I am getting the medical treatment I need?” and “What other government programs are available for me?” Thomas K. Ledgerwood has been practicing law in California since 1991. He is a bar-certified specialist in workers' compensation.

California's Return-to-Work Supplement Program provides a $5,000 payment to some workers who cannot return to work after a permanently disabling workplace injury. RAND researchers evaluated program performance and identified options for improvement.

These proceedings are the product of a May 2003 colloquium on the workers' compensation medical benefit delivery system, with a focus on the access, cost, and quality issues facing the system and mechanisms to improve its quality and efficiency.