professional bio
Tim Mussack began working for Bradford & Barthel in 2008 as a Permanent Disability Rater.
He has been in the workers’ compensation industry since 1988. His background includes claims management, training, auditing, and expert consultant for claims handling and reserving in over 30 jurisdictions, with most of his experience in California.
Tim has been an Instructor of Permanent Disability rating since 1991, teaching rating using the 1988, 1997, and 2005 PD rating schedules. He is designated as a Master Instructor with the Insurance Education Association.
He has been Certified as proficient with the AMA Guides 5th Edition (CAMAG) through ABIME.
AUTHORED Blog Articles & Webinars
PD Rating – “The Schedule”
The Schedule instructs how to 'Adjust' WPI to PD. This session will review all elements of the Rating String...
COLA and the Annual ‘Check-Up’
Timothy Mussack addresses Paying Life Time Benefits (70% PD+), including the effect of Attorney Fees, Commutations, and how to apply COLA.
Life Pension – When Does It Begin
Determining life pension benefits in cases with permanent disability ratings of 70% or higher may seem daunting, which is why the Law Offices
Estimating Permanent Disability for Reserving & PD Advances
Timothy Mussack reviewed ways to develop estimates for future PD costs.
How to Apply COLA to Lifetime Benefits
As we approach the end of the calendar year, it’s important to remember that cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) should be made to continuing life
Common Rating Issues
Timothy Mussack will review common Permanent Disability Rating Issues using the Rating Schedule and the AMA Guides.
Rating Multiple Disabilities – Applying Apportionment and CVC
This session on PD Rating reviewed combining disabilities and the practical application of apportionment.
Panel Decision Addresses Death Benefits and COLA Changes
The new year of 2022 began with the largest COLA increase – 13.5213% – since LC 4659 (c) took effect on 1/1/2003. This
Paying an Award
This session reviewed how to read and pay an Award, with or without attorney fees. The effect of commutations will be included.
A Shot of COVID & COLA
Zane Uribarri & Tim Mussack discussed updates on new benefit rules and continuing to navigate the pandemic.
How to Apply COLA to Lifetime Benefits
The Bradford & Barthel Rating Department wishes you a happy New Year, and with that, a friendly reminder that the cost of living
Psychiatric Injuries: Report Analysis & Rating
Our very own Timothy Mussack and Guest Speaker, Dr. Ron Heredia presented a 1 hour training. This session covered analysis of psychiatric permanent
AMA Guides Chapter 13, The Central & Peripheral Nervous System
This one hour session reviewed common impairment assignments for Chapter 13 of the AMA Guides, 5th Edition. The focus was on identifying objective findings
Beginning PD Rating
This presentation was designed for adjusters who are new to Permanent Disability Rating. The training introduced the use of the PD Rating schedule
How to Apply COLA to Lifetime Benefits
With the arrival of the new year, it’s time to bust out our calculators and prepare and update cost-of-living adjustments (COLA). As of
AMA Guides and Rating Add-Ons
Every year since California adopted use of the AMA Guides for determining permanent disability, we have received some ratings guidance from the DWC
Keep It Simple When Rating Heart Conditions With the AMA Guides
With more and more applicants pleading internal issues, it’s important for defendants to understand how to properly rate impairment under the AMA Guides.
Evaluating Coronavirus Impairment
Coronavirus and Permanent Impairment COVID-19 is an emerging, rapidly evolving situation. As the COVID-19 situation evolves, we should all expect and accept new
Headline: DRE v. ROM: Which Rating Method Applies?
One of the most frequent questions we see in workers’ compensation defense is whether the Diagnosis-Related-Estimate (DRE) or Range-of-Motion (ROM) permanent disability ratings
Commutations
Don’t I get credit for that? This session will explore how to use the Commutations Templates and Tables from the DEU, and what those
AMA Guides – Fifth Edition – Chapter 17 – The Lower Extremities
During this session, Timothy Mussack & Marlene Phillips from B&B’s AMA Analysis & Rating Department will be discussing: So many methods; so few can
AMA Guides – Fifth Edition – Chapter 16 – The Upper Extremities
During this session, Timothy Mussack & Marlene Phillips from B&B’s AMA Analysis & Rating Department will be discussing: Focus on evaluating Range of Motion
AMA Guides – Fifth Edition – Chapter 15 – The Spine
During this session, Timothy Mussack & Marlene Phillips from B&B’s AMA Analysis & Rating Department will be discussing:
- Overview/ Review
- Diagnosis-Related Estimates Method
PD Rating Issues
In this session, we will discuss specific elements of PD Rating:
- LC 4660.1 and the relevance of 1/1/13 as a date of injury
How do you rate Vision Loss?
Ortega vs. Building Technologies, Inc – WCAB Panel Decision W.C.A.B. No. ADJ4361477 (SBR 0336586)—WCAB Panel: Commissioners Zalewski, Sweeney, Deputy Commissioner Dietrich In this
Death Benefits Evaluation & Calculations (What you don’t know can kill…your reserves)
Deathly scared of death benefit calculations? B&B Senior Rating Specialist, Tim Mussack, will take you step-by-step through the ins and outs of determining