You might have thought that news of bad behavior in California’s workers’ comp system was hitting bottom. After all, could it get worse? Allegations of legislators taking money to help charlatans who profited off of the backs of injured workers (literally). Scads of doctors alleged to have taken kickbacks for prescribing questionable compound medicines one of which allegedly
California’s Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board has issued a new “Significant Panel Decision” today, Jennifer Patterson vs. The Oaks Farm and CIGA. Patterson is notable in various respects. First, it is the first major decision authored by new WCAB Commissioner Kathy Zalewski. Second, the decision is one of the first of which I’m aware that addresses
I’ve been attending the 2014 California Coalition on Workers’ Compensation annual conference at Disneyland, which wrapped up yesterday. On Wednesday the conference kicked off with a blogger’s panel featuring myself, insurance consultant and blogger Peter Rousmaniere, Workcompcentral.com publisher David DePaolo, and WorkersCompensation.com publisher Bob Wilson. Mark Walls of Safety National Insurance moderated a lively discussion
Workerscompzone is at Disneyland for the California Coalition on Workers’ Compensation 12th annual conference. One problem with these types of conferences is that there are so many interesting sessions that it’s hard to find time to sit down and do the blog. In coming days I’ll recap my impressions. But I don’t want to miss
2014 is half done. What were the most significant events/themes in California workers’ comp in the first half of 2014? Here, in no particular order, are my top picks: 1. CONTROVERSY OVER UTILIZATION REVIEW AND INDEPENDENT MEDICAL REVIEW CONTINUES Utilization review and independent medical review continued to generate controversy during the first half of 2014.