In California, what people call a “settlement” may involve different benefit phases depending on where your claim is in the process—especially once issues like medical stabilization, permanency, or work restrictions come into play.
That means a calculator can’t know where you are in your timeline:
- Are you still in active treatment?
- Has a doctor documented restrictions that affect your ability to work typical shifts?
- Is there an impairment/permanency evaluation yet?
If you use a calculator too early, it may produce a number that’s either optimistic or incomplete.


