“Very thankful for everything they did for us. Always responsive, reassured us every step of the way and obtained a great result.”
Miguel Orellana
✦ Certified Specialist in Workers’ Compensation Law — Certified by the State Bar of California, Board of Legal Specialization ✦
Serving injured workers across California. Board-certified specialist; no fee unless we win.
By Eman Yazdchi, Esq. · Certified Specialist in Workers' Compensation Law, State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization
In California, Labor Code §4650 sets the timing for workers' compensation payments — temporary disability must begin within 14 days of the disability and permanent disability within 14 days of the last TD payment or award, with a 10% self-imposed late-payment increase. Yazdchi Law handles California §4650 timing disputes statewide.
California Labor Code §4650 establishes the timing rules for California workers' compensation benefit payments. Under §4650, the first temporary disability payment must be made within 14 days of the employer's knowledge of the disability, and permanent disability payments must begin within 14 days after the last TD payment or the date of the PD award. When a §4650 California payment is late, California Labor Code §4650 also imposes an automatic self-imposed increase of 10% of the late payment — paid in addition to ordinary California Labor Code §5814 penalty exposure.
Under California Labor Code §4650, California temporary disability payments must begin within 14 days of the employer's knowledge of the worker's disability. The §4650 14-day clock starts when the employer learns the worker is unable to perform regular duties due to the industrial injury — typically the date the treating physician takes the worker off work or imposes restrictions the employer cannot accommodate. TD is paid at two-thirds of average weekly earnings under California Labor Code §4653.
Under California Labor Code §4650, California permanent disability payments must begin within 14 days after the last temporary disability payment OR within 14 days after the PD award is issued. The §4650 rule prevents a gap between the end of TD and the start of PD — once the treating physician declares the worker permanent and stationary, PD payments under California Labor Code §4660 flow immediately. The California §4650 timing protects the worker's wage replacement during the transition.
Under California Labor Code §4650, when a California TD or PD payment is late — not made within the §4650 14-day window — the insurer must automatically add a 10% self-imposed increase to the late payment. The §4650 California 10% increase is automatic, requires no order from a WCAB judge, and is separate from the California Labor Code §5814 25% penalty for unreasonably delayed or denied benefits. The §4650 rule deliberately creates financial pressure to pay on time.
Under California Labor Code §4650 and California Labor Code §5814, the California timing framework has two separate consequences. The §4650 10% self-imposed increase is automatic and applies to any late payment — no fault analysis required. The §5814 25% penalty is for unreasonable delay or denial — requires showing the delay was unreasonable. Both can apply to the same California payment: 10% for lateness under §4650 plus 25% for unreasonable delay under §5814 when the facts support it.
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Tap to call →Last reviewed by Eman Yazdchi, Esq., May 2026.
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