If you have been injured at work in California, you already know the drill. Doctor visits, physical therapy sessions, follow-up appointments, and maybe even trips to the pharmacy for prescribed medications start to pile up fast. The last thing you need on top of pain, lost wages, and stress is to dig into your own pocket for gas, tolls, or parking just to get the medical care your injury requires.
The good news? California workers’ compensation law requires your employer’s insurance carrier to reimburse you for reasonable travel expenses related to authorized medical treatment. And in 2026, that reimbursement just got a little better. Starting January 1, 2026, the official mileage rate for medical and medical-legal travel jumped to 72.5 cents per mile. That is up from 70 cents in 2025 and applies to every eligible trip you take on or after that date, no matter when your original injury happened.
At Laguna Law Firm, we help injured workers across California recover every benefit they are owed, including mileage reimbursement that can add up to hundreds or even thousands of dollars over the life of a claim. In this guide, we break down exactly how mileage reimbursement works in 2026, who qualifies, what trips count, how to claim your money, and what to do if the insurance company drags its feet or denies your request.
What Is Mileage Reimbursement in California Workers’ Compensation?
Mileage reimbursement is one of those quiet but powerful benefits built into California’s workers’ compensation system. Under Labor Code Section 4600, injured workers are entitled to payment for reasonable transportation costs when they travel for medical care that is necessary because of a work-related injury.
This is not a favor from your employer or the insurance company. It is a legal right. The idea is simple: you should not have to pay out of pocket to get better after an injury that happened on the job. The reimbursement covers the cost of using your personal vehicle (or reasonable alternatives like public transit when driving is not practical) to get to and from approved medical appointments.
In 2026, the rate is set at 72.5 cents per mile. The Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) ties this figure directly to the IRS standard business mileage rate and updates it every year. The new 2026 rate went into effect January 1 and must be paid for any travel occurring on or after that date.
Think about it this way. If you drive 20 miles round trip to physical therapy twice a week, that is 40 miles per week or roughly 160 miles a month. At 72.5 cents per mile, you are looking at about $116 per month just for those therapy trips. Over a year, that is more than $1,300. Add in doctor visits, diagnostic tests, and pharmacy runs, and the numbers grow fast. Every mile counts, and every dollar reimbursed helps ease the financial pressure while you focus on healing.
Why the 2026 Rate Increase Matters for Injured Workers
The jump to 72.5 cents per mile reflects rising costs of gas, vehicle maintenance, insurance, and wear and tear on your car. The DWC announced the change in early January 2026, following the IRS bulletin released at the end of 2025. The increase of 2.5 cents may not sound like much, but for workers who attend frequent appointments, it adds meaningful relief.
This rate applies statewide. It does not matter if your injury happened in Los Angeles, San Diego, the Central Valley, or here in Orange County near our Mission Viejo office. It also does not matter whether your claim is brand new or years old. As long as the travel happens in 2026 or later, you get the higher rate.
Insurance carriers must use this rate when processing your claims. They cannot lowball you with an older figure or argue that a lower amount is “reasonable.” If they try, that is where an experienced workers’ compensation attorney can step in and push back.
Who Qualifies for Mileage Reimbursement?
Almost every injured worker with an accepted workers’ compensation claim qualifies, as long as the travel is for authorized medical treatment related to the work injury. You do not need to prove financial hardship. You simply need to show that the trip was necessary for your care.
Covered travel typically includes:
- Visits to your primary treating physician (PTP)
- Physical therapy, occupational therapy, or chiropractic sessions
- Diagnostic tests such as MRIs, X-rays, or nerve studies
- Pharmacy runs to pick up prescribed medications for your injury
- Medical-legal evaluations, including Qualified Medical Evaluations (QMEs) and Agreed Medical Evaluations (AMEs)
- Follow-up appointments required by your treatment plan
- In some cases, travel to a deposition or hearing location when it is tied to your medical claim
The key word is “reasonable.” You must use the shortest practical route. Insurance adjusters sometimes question mileage if it looks like you took a scenic detour, so keeping clear records helps.
Public transit, rideshares, or other alternatives can also qualify in certain situations. The reimbursement is meant to cover the reasonable cost of getting there, but most workers use their own cars and claim the standard per-mile rate.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Claim Mileage Reimbursement in 2026
Claiming your mileage is straightforward, but it does require some organization. Here is exactly how to do it right the first time.
- Keep a detailed log. For every trip, write down the date, destination, purpose of the appointment, and round-trip miles. Use a notebook, a simple spreadsheet, or even your phone’s notes app. Google Maps or a similar tool can verify the mileage using the shortest reasonable route.
- Gather receipts. Parking fees and tolls are also reimbursable. Keep every receipt.
- Use the official form. Download the current Medical Mileage Expense Form from the DWC website. The 2026 version (English/Spanish) is available for travel on or after January 1, 2026. Fill it out completely and attach your log and any receipts.
- Submit to the right place. Send the completed form and supporting documents to your claims administrator or the insurance company handling your workers’ compensation claim. Do not send it to your employer unless they are self-insured. Keep a copy for yourself.
- Track your submission. Note the date you sent it. The insurance company generally has 60 days to pay. If they miss that window without a good reason, you may be entitled to a 10 percent penalty plus interest.
Many workers worry that submitting mileage claims will annoy their adjuster or slow down other parts of the claim. In our experience at Laguna Law Firm, the opposite is true. Consistent, accurate claims show that you are organized and serious about protecting your rights. Carriers that see you documenting everything carefully are often more careful themselves.
Real Numbers: What Mileage Reimbursement Can Look Like in 2026
Let us make this concrete with a realistic example. Meet “Maria,” a warehouse worker in Southern California who hurt her back lifting boxes (names and details changed for privacy).
Maria’s treatment plan includes:
- One primary doctor visit per month (12 miles round trip)
- Physical therapy twice a week for six months (18 miles round trip each session)
- Monthly pharmacy trips (8 miles round trip)
- One QME evaluation (30 miles round trip)
Over those six months, her total eligible miles come to about 1,080. At 72.5 cents per mile, that equals roughly $783 in mileage reimbursement. Add parking and a couple of tolls, and the total easily tops $800. That is real money that stays in her pocket instead of going to the gas pump.
Multiply that across a year or two of treatment, and you can see why we tell clients not to leave this benefit on the table.
Common Mistakes That Cost Injured Workers Money
Even though the process is simple, we see the same errors over and over. Here are the big ones to avoid:
- Forgetting to submit mileage until the end of the claim (you can submit periodically, and it is often easier to get paid that way)
- Using an outdated mileage rate from a previous year
- Estimating miles instead of measuring them accurately
- Throwing away parking or toll receipts
- Assuming the insurance company will automatically calculate and pay what you are owed (they almost never do)
- Waiting too long to follow up on a delayed payment
A small mistake can mean hundreds of dollars left unpaid. An experienced attorney can review your logs, catch issues early, and make sure nothing slips through the cracks.
What Happens If the Insurance Company Denies or Delays Your Claim?
Unfortunately, some carriers treat mileage reimbursement as optional instead of mandatory. They may say the miles are “unreasonable,” question the medical necessity, or simply sit on the paperwork.
If that happens, you have options. You can file for a penalty under the Labor Code, request a hearing before a workers’ compensation judge, or let your attorney handle the fight for you. At Laguna Law Firm, we have recovered unpaid mileage, penalties, and interest for clients who were told their claims were “not covered.” The law is on your side here, and carriers know it when they see experienced representation.
Why You Need an Experienced Workers’ Compensation Attorney on Your Side
Navigating a workers’ compensation claim while injured is tough enough without becoming an expert in mileage forms and reimbursement rules. An attorney who focuses exclusively on California workers’ comp can:
- Make sure you receive the correct 2026 rate on every trip
- Handle all paperwork so you can focus on recovery
- Negotiate with the insurance company when they push back
- Maximize all your benefits, not just mileage
- Protect you from retaliation or claim denials
We have seen too many workers leave money on the table because they did not know the rules or were afraid to speak up. At Laguna Law Firm, we take the stress off your plate and fight for every dollar you deserve.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mileage Reimbursement in California Workers’ Compensation 2026
Q: Does workers’ comp pay for mileage to doctor appointments in California in 2026? Yes. The rate is 72.5 cents per mile for all authorized medical travel.
Q: What if I take public transit instead of driving? You can still be reimbursed for the reasonable cost of getting to your appointment. Keep receipts and note the details on your form.
Q: How far back can I claim mileage? You can claim for eligible trips going back as far as your treatment has been ongoing, but it is best to submit regularly to avoid disputes.
Q: Do I need a lawyer to get my mileage paid? No, but having one dramatically increases your chances of getting paid quickly and completely, especially if the carrier is difficult.
Q: Can I claim mileage for pharmacy trips? Yes, when the medication is prescribed for your work injury and the trip is reasonable.
Q: What is the deadline for the insurance company to pay? They generally have 60 days from when you submit a complete request. Late payments can trigger penalties.
Ready to Get the Reimbursement You Deserve?
If you are traveling for medical appointments related to a work injury, do not let mileage costs drain your wallet. The 2026 rate of 72.5 cents per mile is there to help you, but only if you claim it properly and fight for it when necessary.
At Laguna Law Firm, we offer free, no-obligation consultations to injured workers throughout California. We will review your situation, explain your rights in plain English, and show you exactly how we can help recover every benefit you are owed, including mileage reimbursement.
Call us today at (949) 930-1386 or visit lagunalawfirm.com to schedule your free consultation. You have nothing to lose and real money to gain.
Your recovery comes first. Let us handle the rest.
Laguna Law Firm – Fighting for injured workers across California.