If an employer forces workers to receive WC benefits at a lower rate, what is the employer's liability?

If an employer forces workers to receive WC benefits at a lower rate, what is the employer's liability?

• A. Nothing this is not a WCAB issue
• B. $5,000
• C. $10,000
• D. $100,000

Answer: (D)

If an employer forces workers to accept workers’ compensation benefits at a lower rate, that is a willful abuse of the system and triggers civil penalties. California law allows the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board to impose a substantial civil penalty for this kind of misconduct, up to $100,000. This high cap emphasizes that coercing or misrepresenting benefits to shortchange an employee is taken very seriously. The employer can also face back benefits and other remedies, but the key point here is the potential civil penalty of up to $100,000 for that violation.

If an employer forces workers to accept workers’ compensation benefits at a lower rate, that is a willful abuse of the system and triggers civil penalties. California law allows the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board to impose a substantial civil penalty for this kind of misconduct, up to $100,000. This high cap emphasizes that coercing or misrepresenting benefits to shortchange an employee is taken very seriously. The employer can also face back benefits and other remedies, but the key point here is the potential civil penalty of up to $100,000 for that violation.