Workers’ Compensation

As promised, my eNews April Message from the Chair is devoted to highlighting the Awards and Recognition Subcommittee of the Executive Committee of the Workers’ Compensation Section of the California Lawyers Association (CLA).  One of our nine subcommittees. Erin Wintersteen is the Chair of this subcommittee.  I was delighted Erin said yes when I asked her to Chair this subcommittee.  I knew she would be perfect.  Below please find Erin’s summary of what this subcommittee is all about. “My name… Read more

Join us for a day of inspirational presentations and beef up your strategies for litigating a Worker’s Compensation case. WCAB commissioner Razo will regale us all with tales of life in the Reconsideration Unit. He will also provide invaluable tips for bulletproofing your petition for reconsideration. Come learn about applying for Subsequent Injuries Benefit Trust Fund Benefits, an often overlooked benefit for the applicant. This dynamic presentation will be given by Ann Wu from DIR. And don’t miss the ever… Read more

Join us for a day of inspirational presentations and beef up your strategies for litigating a Worker’s Compensation case. WCAB commissioner Razo will regale us all with tales of life in the Reconsideration Unit.  He will also provide invaluable tips for bulletproofing your petition for reconsideration.  Come learn about applying for Subsequent Injuries Benefit Trust Fund Benefits, an often overlooked benefit for the applicant.  This dynamic presentation will be given by Ann Wu from DIR.  And don’t miss the ever entertaining… Read more

Earn 6 Hours of participatory MCLE and Legal Specialization Credit Saturday, April 6, 2019 Westin Bonaventure Hotel & Suites 404 S. Figueroa Street Los Angeles, CA 90071 Saturday, May 4, 2019 Walnut Creek Marriott 2355 N. Main Street Walnut Creek, CA 94596 More Links: Brochure | Registration Form  8:30 am – 9:30 am | Life Post Fitzpatrick, Hikida, Rice and Lindh Apportionment has been one of the most litigated recent issues in the workers’ comp world, with the ever erudite District Courts of Appeal… Read more

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