
Although the California State Bar’s Rules of Professional Conduct require the communication of all written settlement offers to a client, it’s safe to say that there are regulars in the workers’ compensation community who routinely…
Read More
by John P. Kamin, (February 25, 2026)

Although the California State Bar’s Rules of Professional Conduct require the communication of all written settlement offers to a client, it’s safe to say that there are regulars in the workers’ compensation community who routinely…
Read More
by Donald R. Barthel, (February 25, 2026)

The infamous QME template legislation, Assembly Bill 1293, has been signed into law but will not take effect immediately. In fact, the thus far unseen templates and their accompanying regulations have until Jan. 1, 2027,…
Read More
by Shannon M. Lang, (February 17, 2026)

Who hasn’t experienced working so hard to get the case settled, only to have it held up by applicant attorney raising the issue of “unpaid” Labor Code Section 5710 fees? Do you ever tire of…
Read More
by Donald R. Barthel, (February 16, 2026)

Approximately 135 million viewers around the world tuned in to watch the New England Patriots (again!) take on the Seattle Seahawks at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara for Super Bowl 60. Why is this relevant…
Read More
by Jessica E. Bair, (January 29, 2026)

Ah, good old liens. Love them or hate them, they are a major component of workers’ compensation claims, and failure to timely address them can result in tens of thousands of dollars being owed by…
Read More
by Donald R. Barthel, (January 28, 2026)

Though seemingly a simple defense, intoxication often times trips up unsuspecting defendants. The $64,000 question is: how difficult a defense is it to plead successfully? The answer? So much so that it just may drive…
Read More
by John P. Kamin, (January 16, 2026)

If the past few years should have taught attorneys one thing about artificial intelligence (AI), it’s that attorneys should not trust AI for case citations. In December 2025, a friendly neighborhood judge asked if the…
Read More
by Donald R. Barthel, (January 15, 2026)

“Lies, damned lies, and statistics” is a famous phrase used to describe the persuasive power of numbers to bolster weak arguments and mislead an audience. While widely-popularized by legendary author Mark Twain, its true origin…
Read More
by Arc N. Tolentino, (January 13, 2026)

As a workers’ compensation defense attorney, one of things that fascinates me the most is how things can get done with the help of the proverbial enemy of defendants – the “applicant’s attorney.” Though we…
Read More
by Donald R. Barthel, (December 29, 2025)

Well, it seemed like a good idea at the time. It was 1945, WWII had been won, and our soldiers were returning home—many with crippling, permanent disabilities (PD). Out of this history sprang California’s Subsequent…
Read More
