When an employer wants to compromise a claim for an employee with a 15% permanent disability, what should the claims handler advise?

In the context of California workers' compensation, when dealing with a permanent disability claim, there are specific legal and procedural requirements that must be adhered to in order to ensure fairness and compliance with workers' compensation laws. Advising that it is against public policy in this scenario acknowledges that compromising a claim for a permanent disability without following the appropriate legal procedures may not only undermine the injured employee's rights but also affect the integrity of the workers' compensation system as a whole.

California law has established protocols for addressing permanent disability claims, which often include structured benefits, and an employer's attempt to unilaterally negotiate or compromise these claims outside of these structures can lead to issues such as exploitation or insufficient compensation for the injured worker. Recognizing the public policy framework emphasizes the importance of protecting employees' rights and maintaining a fair adjudication process, thereby ensuring that all claims are handled appropriately within the established legal context.

The other options do not consider the legal constraints and protective principles guiding workers’ compensation claims, which is essential to upholding the rights of injured workers while also adhering to established legal standards in California.