State News : California

NWCDN is a network of law firms dedicated to protecting employers in workers’ compensation claims.


NWCDN Members regularly post articles and summary judgements in workers’ compensations law in your state.  


Select a state from the dropdown menu below to scroll through the state specific archives for updates and opinions on various workers’ compensation laws in your state.


Contact information for NWCDN members is also located on the state specific links in the event you have additional questions or your company is seeking a workers’ compensation lawyer in your state.


California

HANNA, BROPHY, MACLEAN, MCALEER & JENSEN LLP

  1-510-839-4804

CALIFORNIA 2026 NEWS

Beginning January 1, 2026, the following laws take effect for all injuries occurring on or after 1/1/26 unless otherwise noted:

·       SB 230 expands rebuttable presumptions for firefighters by extending coverage for cancer, PTSD, and other injuries to firefighters working at commercial airports. It also broadens presumptions for conditions such as pneumonia to firefighters serving at commercial airports, NASA installations, and U.S. Department of Defense facilities, further strengthening presumptive coverage for high-risk public safety work environments.

·       AB 1125 extends the heart injury presumption to peace officers employed by the State Department of State Hospitals, affording them the same presumptive benefits previously limited to officers at Atascadero State Hospital. The change recognizes the comparable occupational risks faced by these workers.

Beginning February 1, 2026, employers are required to provide a stand-alone written notice to current employees and new employees upon hire, in a manner the employer normally uses to communicate job or employment information, with information related to employee rights, including:

  • Workers’ compensation benefits (including disability pay and medical care for work-related injuries or illness, and the contact information for the Division of Workers’ Compensation)
  • Notice of inspection by immigration agencies. Labor Code 90.2
  • Protection against unfair immigration-related practices against a person exercising protected rights. Labor Code 1019-1019.2.
  • The right to organize a union or engage in a concerted activity in the workplace, and Constitutional protections when interacting with law enforcement at the workplace (i.e., fourth amendment protection against unreasonable searches and seizure, and fifth amendment protection against self-incrimination and right to due process)
  • Rights when interacting with law enforcement at the work place, including immigration.  US Const 4th and 5th Amendment.