California benefits California employers provide five basic benefits for injured workers. Here are the estimated costs for the 936,000 claims filed against 1994 policies, the most recent information available. MEDICAL CARE Claims filed: 936,000 Average benefit: $2,550 TEMPORARY DISABILITY Two-thirds of salary while off work, but not more than $490 a week. Claims filed: 175,000 Average benefit: $1,161 PERMANENT DISABILITY Two-thirds of salary to compensate for any permanent damage, even if person can go back to work. Can be paid weekly for a finite period of time, up to $230 a week, or in a lump-sum settlement. Claims filed: 105,000 workers disabled less than 25 percent, average benefit: $10,965 20,300 workers disabled 25 to 99.75 percent, average benefit: $40,282 200 workers disabled 100 percent, average benefit: $289,000. (Includes temporary disability received by these workers and any settlement received in place of future medical care) VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION Up to $16,000 toward retraining, if needed Claims filed: 40,000 Average benefit: $7,218 DEATH BENEFIT Up to $160,000 for dependents if the worker is killed Claims filed: 575. Average benefit: $116,000. Source: Workers Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau, adjusted to include self-insured employers which are thought to be about one-third of the industry ©1997 The Press Democrat