Bill > SB487

This bill modifies California's workers' compensation laws specifically for peace officers and firefighters, creating special protections for these public safety workers when they pursue third-party legal claims for workplace injuries. Under the new provisions, when a peace officer or firefighter is injured and seeks damages from a third party, they are guaranteed to receive at least two-thirds of the third party's liability insurance policy limits, provided their total damages exceed the net recovery after the employer's claim and the available insurance limits are insufficient to fully compensate their damages. The bill limits the employer's ability to seek reimbursement or assert liens against the employee's recovery and prohibits employers from using the third-party recovery as a credit or offset against future workers' compensation benefits. This means that peace officers and firefighters will have greater flexibility in pursuing legal claims and will be assured a more substantial portion of any settlement or judgment, without risking a reduction in their ongoing workers' compensation benefits. The bill aims to provide enhanced financial protection for these critical public safety workers who are injured in the line of duty by ensuring they can more fully recover damages from third-party responsible parties.

Budget and Finance, Business and Industry, Labor and Employment

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260SB487