AB 1329: Workers’ Compensation: Subsequent injuries payments.

This bill amends California's workers' compensation law to provide additional benefits for employees who suffer subsequent injuries. For injuries occurring on or after January 1, 2005, and prior to January 1, 2013, the bill measures permanent disability using the American Medical Association's Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment, adjusted for diminished future earning capacity. For injuries occurring on or after January 1, 2013, the bill uses a 1.4 adjustment factor. The bill establishes a database of qualified medical evaluators to perform evaluations for claims filed for subsequent injuries. For compensable subsequent injuries occurring on or after January 1, 2026, the bill requires the employee to demonstrate that the prior permanent partial disability predated the subsequent compensable injury and resulted in loss of earnings or interfered with work activities. The bill…