Workers’ Comp eNews

An applicant failed to prove that a defendant neglected or refused to provide medical care and must continue treating within the defendant’s medical provider network (MPN), according to a new panel decision from the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board. Read more

A recent California Workers Compensation Appeals Board panel decision highlights some of the challenges in settling cases with a Medicare Set Aside. Read more

On June 22, 2023, the WCAB issued an en banc decision in Grace Nunes v. State Of California DMV/SCIF(ADJ8210063, ADJ8621818) overturning a Workers’ Comp trial judge’s award of 100% permanent total disability that was largely based on the opinion of the employee’s vocational rehabilitation expert.  Read more

It’s been a busy time for the members of the CLA Workers’ Compensation Executive Committee.  The Committee’s activities were highlighted by the quarterly meeting of the committee on the weekend of May 19, 2023 at the Renaissance Hotel in Newport Beach, CA.  The meeting was held in conjunction with our Committee’s Spring Education CLE Conference.  Read more

An analysis and discussion of the recent WCAB decision of Kave v. State 2022 Cal. Wrk. Comp. P.D. LEXIS 317 Read more

What does ChatGPT know about California workers’ comp? I decided I’d ask it, and during 2 sessions I posed about 45 questions on a wide range of California workers’ comp topics. Both discussions with ChatGPT are included in pdf format below. Read more

Donning The Robe Senior Trial Judge Geoffrey H. Sims Of The Dwc Fresno District Office Provides A Glimpse Into A Career As A Workers’ Compensation Judge Interviewed By Therese Da Silva, Workers’ Compensation Judge Dwc Oakland District Office Read more

“Knowledge is Power,” the quote made famous by Sir Francis Bacon, has been taken to heart by your CLA Workers’ Compensation Section’s Executive Committee. Read more

As mentioned in the Voice From The Chair article by Chairman of the CLA Workers’ Compensation Executive Committee, the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board issued an En Banc ruling on March 22, 2023 rescinding all remaining provisions of En Banc Orders numbers 260, 261 and 266, which were issued in response to Governor Gavin Newsom’s declaration of a state of emergency concerning the spread of the novel coronavirus.  Read more

On March 4, 2023, Presiding Judge Sharon Velzy (Van Nuys District Office), Judge Josephine Broussard (Santa Ana District Office), applicant’s attorney Amy Shen and defense attorney, Saro Kerkonian of the CLA, Workers’ Compensation Section Executive Committee, Community Outreach Subcommittee, participated in Southwestern Law School’s Succeeding in Law event.  Read more