Temporary total disability rates for 2013 announced

The minimum and maximum temporary total disability (TTD) rates for 2013 will increase on Jan. 1, 2013. The minimum TTD rate will increase to $160.00 and the maximum TTD rate will increase to $1,066.72 per week.

Labor Code section 4453(a)(10) requires the rate for TTD be increased by an amount equal to the percentage increase in the state average weekly wage (SAWW) as compared to the prior year. The SAWW is defined as the average weekly wage paid to employees covered by unemployment insurance as reported by the U.S. Department of Labor for California for the 12 months ending March 31 in the year preceding the injury. In the 12 months ending March 31, 2012 the SAWW increased from $1,003.55 to $1,059.38.

Under Labor Code section 4659(c), workers with dates of injury on or after Jan. 1, 2003 who are receiving life pensions (LP) or permanent total disability (PTD) benefits are also entitled to have their weekly LP or PTD rate adjusted based on the SAWW.

The SAWW may be verified at the U.S. Department of Labor Web site. For the 12 months preceding March 31, 2012: http://workforcesecurity.doleta.gov/unemploy/content/data_stats/datasum12/DataSum_2012_1.pdf