Workers' Compensation Glossary
Common terms and definitions you may encounter in your case.
- AME (Agreed Medical Examiner)
- A doctor agreed upon by both parties to evaluate your injury and provide an opinion on your case.
- AWW (Average Weekly Wage)
- Your average earnings used to calculate disability benefits.
- C&R (Compromise and Release)
- A type of settlement where you receive a lump sum in exchange for closing your claim.
- DWC (Division of Workers' Compensation)
- The California state agency that oversees the workers' compensation system.
- MMI (Maximum Medical Improvement)
- The point where your condition has stabilized and is unlikely to improve further with treatment.
- MPN (Medical Provider Network)
- A group of doctors approved by your employer's insurance to treat work injuries.
- P&S (Permanent and Stationary)
- Same as MMI; indicates your condition has reached maximum improvement.
- PD (Permanent Disability)
- Compensation for lasting impairments from your work injury.
- QME (Qualified Medical Examiner)
- A state-certified doctor who provides independent medical evaluations.
- SJDB (Supplemental Job Displacement Benefit)
- A voucher for retraining if you cannot return to your previous job.
- Stip (Stipulated Award)
- An agreement on your case terms filed with the WCAB.
- TD (Temporary Disability)
- Wage replacement benefits while you recover from your injury.
- UR (Utilization Review)
- The process insurance companies use to approve or deny medical treatment requests.
- WCAB (Workers' Compensation Appeals Board)
- The judicial body that handles disputed workers' compensation cases.
- WPI (Whole Person Impairment)
- A medical rating of your impairment level used to calculate PD.