A nursing student works part-time 20 hours per week at $10/hour. After graduating she works 40 hours per week and is promised a raise to $1,000 per week after receiving her certificate. If she is injured during her part-time work in 2005 and later graduates and receives her certificate, which set of temporary disability rates would apply?

A nursing student works part-time 20 hours per week at $10/hour. After graduating she works 40 hours per week and is promised a raise to $1,000 per week after receiving her certificate. If she is injured during her part-time work in 2005 and later graduates and receives her certificate, which set of temporary disability rates would apply?

• A. $133.33 while PT; $266.67 after graduation; and $666.67 after receiving her certificate.
• B. $200 while PT; $266.67 after graduation, and $666.67 after certificate.
• C. Not applicable.
• D. $200 while PT; $266.67 after graduating.

Answer: (A)

Temporary disability payments in California are two-thirds of the worker’s current average weekly wage (AWW), with a set minimum and maximum. As the worker’s earnings change during the disability, the rate can reflect those changes, up to the legal min and max. - When the injury happened, she was earning $200 per week (20 hours at $10/hour). Two-thirds of $200 is $133.33, which fits the minimum rate shown. - If the disability extends and she later earns $400 per week (40 hours at $10/hour), two-thirds of $400 is $266.67. - After graduating and moving toward a $1,000-per-week wage, two-thirds of $1,000 is $666.67. So the applicable TD rates would be $133.33, then $266.67, then $666.67 as her earnings change across those periods.

Temporary disability payments in California are two-thirds of the worker’s current average weekly wage (AWW), with a set minimum and maximum. As the worker’s earnings change during the disability, the rate can reflect those changes, up to the legal min and max.

• When the injury happened, she was earning $200 per week (20 hours at $10/hour). Two-thirds of $200 is $133.33, which fits the minimum rate shown.

• If the disability extends and she later earns $400 per week (40 hours at $10/hour), two-thirds of $400 is $266.67.

• After graduating and moving toward a $1,000-per-week wage, two-thirds of $1,000 is $666.67.

So the applicable TD rates would be $133.33, then $266.67, then $666.67 as her earnings change across those periods.