In a scenario where an employee is injured at work, off work the next day, sees a doctor two days after the injury, and is hospitalized three days after the injury, when does the waiting period start?

• A. 3 Days After the Injury
• B. 2 Days After the Injury
• C. 1 Day After the Injury
• D. The Date of the Injury

Answer: (A)

Temporary disability benefits in California workers’ compensation are subject to a three-day waiting period. That waiting period starts on the third day after the injury, counting calendar days of disability. In this scenario, the injury occurs on day 0, the worker is off work on day 1, sees a doctor on day 2, and is hospitalized on day 3. Therefore, the three-day waiting period begins on day 3 after the injury, with days 3, 4, and 5 forming the waiting period before benefits would begin (on day 6).