California Workers Compensation
Impairment-to-Disability Ratings
Commutations
Luis Pérez-Cordero
PD Rating Specialist
CV & Continuing Education
email: pdrating@att.net

SAWW Commutation Calculation Service - PD & Life Pension

There appears to always be a rush to issue commutated calculations and checks.

Commutations are for more than just figuring out the applicant attorney's fees, making advances
from the far-end of the award or avoiding penalties for delayed benefits, when checks are issued
on time.

In many instances, this is the end of the line for both applicant and defense attorneys. Only the
injured worker is left once you have issued the commutated checks.  It takes dedicated time and
expertise to do a commutation correctly and to make sure the best interest of both parties is
considered. You need the correct information to make sure that the commutated amount for the
attorney's fee or other amounts do not have a disproportionate impact (reduction) in the
employee's benefits. WCAB Lena Wilson, pages 16-18

We can provide you with the calculation of commutations for Permanent Disability & Life
Pensions to include attorney's fee calculations based on the present value of Permanent Total
Disability, deferred value of Life Pension or both based on the same Templates used by DEU.

Commutation services can be requested using the Commutation Request form.

Note: Cola Table from 2003 to 2012, with the SAWW % Increases to facilitate your
calculation, can be found on the left side of page below.

Link to Decision: Lena Wilson vs. Piedmont Lumber & SCIF
This decision states that the current 4.6% to 4.7% being used is only advisory and not absolute.

California Supreme Court Decision: Baker [Duncan] vs. WCAB
Calculation of Life Pension or Total Disability SAWW is to occur the January 1st after the
benefits start.
Year
 SAWW
 %Increase
1/1/03
 $794.95
 1.9546%
1/1/04
 $790.50
 0.0000%
1/1/05
 $806.11
 1.9747%
1/1/06
 $838.42
 4.0081%
1/1/07
 $880.00
 4.9593%
1/1/08
 $914.60
 3.9318%
1/1/09
 $956.20
 4.5484%
1/1/10
 $984.83
 2.9941%
1/1/11
 $979.90
 0.0000%
1/1/12
 $1003.55
 2.4135%
Cola Table 2003 to 2012
California Disability Evaluation Unit Templates and Instructions Link:
https://www.dir.ca.gov/dwc/commtemps.zip

California Commutations Request Form Link:
https://www.dir.ca.gov/dwc/FORMS/DEU_CommutationRequest.xls

For Expert Commutation calculations contact Blair Megowan
email: Blair.Megowan@gmail.com
Work-Comp Commutations
PO Box 383,
Verdugo City, CA   91046
Voice: (818) 903-5069
Fax: (818) 330-9870