Workers’ Compensation

The California Division of Workers’ Compensation has now announced free online access to medical evidence-based treatment guidelines (MTUS) for medical providers (see link to the press release below). Read more

This month I am highlighting the Legislation Subcommittee of the Executive Committee of the Workers’ Compensation Section of the California Lawyers Association (CLA). Read more

This program offers 1 MCLE credit; includes legal specialization in Workers’ Compensation Law. Maybe you’ve had one, maybe you haven’t, but NON-IBR Medical-Legal issues are lurking in your cases. When they pop up, you better be ready because the rules on proper handling are tricky, and if you don’t get it right, the consequences are serious. This one hour webinar offers a step by step guide to proper handling of NON-IBR Medical-Legal issues that will help you avoid pitfalls, provide… Read more

Section 4663 states, in pertinent part: “(a) Apportionment of permanent disability shall be based on causation.” (§ 4663(a).) There remains significant confusion amongst the bar as to the issue of apportionment of permanent disability per Labor Code, section 4663. One particularly confusing area, and the focus of this article, is what exactly it means to apportion the causative sources of permanent disability. Read more

By Maria Antonieta Sager, Workers' Compensation Section Chair. As promised last month in my January eNews article this month I will highlight the Practice and Ethics Subcommittee of the Executive Committee of the Workers' Compensation Section of the California Lawyers Association (CLA). This could not have come at a better time in light of the newly updated California Rules of Professional Conduct, three of which I will discuss below. Read more

Workers' Compensation Section January 2019 eNews: Top 10 Events of 2018 – Workers’ Comp System by Julius Young
As the year comes to a close, it’s time to assess what was significant in California’s workers’ compensation system in 2018. With hindsight, what were the big developments and the big themes? Read more

Workers' Compensation Section January 2019 eNews: Message from the Chair
Happy New Year everyone! I hope you all had a peaceful holiday season.
As promised in my December eNews article, over the next nine months, I will highlight the nine subcommittees of the Workers' Compensation Section Executive Committee of the California Lawyers Association (CLA), starting with Education. Read more

There are five separate award categories: Lifetime Achievement, Judge of the Year, Applicant Attorney of the Year, Defense Attorney of the Year, and Young Attorney of the Year. Read more

By Hon. Robert G. Rassp[1] What does an Applicant’s attorney do when the feds come calling and say the Applicant has been overpaid social security disability benefits (SSDI) because of a large Compromise and Release? This article addresses this issue along with attorney best practices in these cases and how judges who approve lump sum settlements can protect against an Applicant’s reduction of monthly social security disability benefits due to a large settlement of his or her workers’ compensation case.… Read more

The Executive Committees of the Solo and Small Firm Section (“SSF”) and the Workers’ Compensation Section (“WC”) of the California Lawyers Association jointly submit these comments in response to the request for public comment on the statutorily mandated review and study being conducted by the State Bar’s Malpractice Insurance Working Group. Read more