As the California Legislature moves toward the end of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s first session, lawyers, lawmakers and lobbyists are gearing up to see whether the new governor’s pen will follow the veto-friendly ways of his…
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An ongoing hot button issue in California workers’ compensation remains the specialty selected for the Panel Qualified Medical Evaluator as it is generally the defense’s opportunity to have the injured worker evaluated by a neutral…
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by Paul Thomsen –  When SB863 went into effect on January 1, 2013, there was a chilling effect on the provision of permanent disability in psychiatric claims. Since the enactment of this Senate Bill, the applicant’s…
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A recent en banc decision from the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board clarified what types of facts are needed to establish a “catastrophic” injury that allows an applicant to obtain psychological permanent disability emanating from physical…
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When the California Legislature first established a workers’ compensation system in 1913, it was designed to mandate insurance to rapidly provide desperately needed medical treatment and wage loss mitigation to injured workers. In return, injured…
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by Dana F. Aoudi –  Although applicant’s attorneys may be entitled to discover sub rosa video that could poke holes in an applicant’s story, defendants need not provide the films prior to the deposition according to…
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The cost of living in California has resulted in many employees choosing to move to remote parts of the state, but retaining their local jobs. Telecommuting is also a growing trend across the country. According…
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The first few months of the 2019 legislative session opened with bills that would expand the definition of “employees” to include Uber and Lyft drivers, attempt to nullify utilization review, make nonindustrial apportionment more difficult…
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What are your options when an Medicare set-aside (MSA) has derailed your settlement discussions or, complicated resolution of a claim with a Medicare beneficiary? Concerns about protecting Medicare’s interests come into play when settling future…
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Keeping track of which lien claims are stayed or subject to special lien proceedings is a full time job, thanks to the plethora of criminal proceedings in California. Defendants, lien claimants, and even applicant’s attorneys…
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