In the case of the willful failure to secure the payment of compensation, the amount of compensation otherwise recoverable for injury or death shall be increased by ___________

In the case of the willful failure to secure the payment of compensation, the amount of compensation otherwise recoverable for injury or death shall be increased by ___________

• A. 5%
• B. 10%
• C. 15%
• D. 20%

Answer: (B)

When an employer willfully fails to secure payment of workers’ compensation, California law adds a penalty of ten percent to the compensation that would otherwise be recoverable. This 10% is in addition to the normal benefits and serves as a deterrent to non‑compliance, protecting the injured worker or their dependents. So, the amount becomes the usual compensation plus 10%. For example, if the standard compensation would be $10,000, the total would be $11,000. The other percentage options don’t reflect the statutory penalty.

When an employer willfully fails to secure payment of workers’ compensation, California law adds a penalty of ten percent to the compensation that would otherwise be recoverable. This 10% is in addition to the normal benefits and serves as a deterrent to non‑compliance, protecting the injured worker or their dependents. So, the amount becomes the usual compensation plus 10%. For example, if the standard compensation would be $10,000, the total would be $11,000. The other percentage options don’t reflect the statutory penalty.