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January 2005

February 2005

[02/01/05] Two Agencies Fined Selling Tribal Ins. to Off-Reservation Biz

[02/01/05] Juan Vargas Fined by Fair Political Practices Commission

[02/02/05] New Employer's Report Must Be Posted Starting Feb. 1

[02/02/05] Schwarzenegger's Approval Ratings in Flux

[02/02/05] Oregon Officially Begins Targeting California Businesses

[02/02/05] Group Demands Oversight Committee Vice-Chair Recuse Self

[02/03/05] "Call to Arms" Against Confirming Admin. Director Hoch

[02/03/05] Governor's Initiatives Face Major Time Limit For Qualifying

[02/03/05] The Sacramento Honeymoon is Definitely Over

[02/03/05] Blue Cross Announces New "Affordable" Plans for Employers

[02/03/05] Another Carrier's Profits Soar

[02/07/05] SCIF Nabs Another Employer Fraud Case

[02/07/05] DWC Reminds Us About "First Aid"

[02/07/05] Gov. Uses Campaign Funds Defending Private Lawsuits

[02/07/05] Zenith's Profits Double Over 2003

[02/07/05] Important MPN Changes, Emergency Hearing Set for 2/2

[02/07/05] DWC Publishes New List Of Independent Vocational Evaluators

[02/07/05] Marsh & Mclennan To Pay $850 Million For Price-Fixing Scheme

[02/07/05] New Legislation Seeks To Regulate Self Insureds

[02/07/05] Workers' Comp. Savings Far Outpaced By Insurance Profits

[02/08/05] Oops, Schwarzenegger Appoints Special Interests

[02/08/05] ACIC Supports New MPN Regulations

[02/08/05] Gov. Raises Record Campaign Money, Double Davis' Take

[02/11/05] How to Pay Less Than Minimum Wage in US? Outsource!

[02/11/05] Workers Have Less Health Insurance in California

[02/11/05] Doctors Leaving Workers' Compensation System

[02/11/05] Injured Workers Complaining of Treatment Guidelines Too

[02/11/05] State Compensation Insurance Fund President Retiring

[02/11/05] CMA Generally Supports PD Schedule; Wants More Money

[02/11/05] Battle Lines Drawn Regarding Confirmation of Andrea Hoch

[02/11/05] Meal/Rest Reg Proposals Hotly Debated

[02/14/05] New York's Version of CIGA Almost Bankrupt

[02/14/05] DOI Sends 'Letters of Inquiry' to Agents and Brokers

[02/14/05] Are New Physical Therapy Guides Ready for California?

[02/14/05] Health Net Downgraded, WC Sale to Superior National Cited

[02/17/05] State Senator Richard Alarcon Profiled

[02/17/05] Employers Around the Country Cheating Workers' Comp.

[02/17/05] Lawmakers Petition FPPC to Halt Governor's Fund-Raising

[02/17/05] Special: Part II - The CAAA Convention (Cliff Levy)

[02/17/05] Murdered Prison Guard's Family Files S&W Claim

[02/22/05] MPN's - A Nigphpare for the Injured Worker??

[02/22/05] Calif. Firefighters Support CAAA Lawsuit on PD Ratings

[02/22/05] PJ Dietterle Leaving San Diego WCAB, Farewell Set for April

[02/22/05] Law Office Admin, 2 Chiros Arrested for Ins. Fraud

[02/22/05] Job Displacement Modification Sought by DWC

[02/22/05] Some Doctors Providing Care in Spite of Denials and Delay

[02/22/05] Workers' Comp. Carriers' Profits up 25% to 36%

[02/28/05] WCAB Saved, Governor Abandons Plan to Merge Boards

[02/28/05] DWC "Revitalizes" Education Program for Injured Workers

[02/28/05] Senator Poochigian At It Again, Files 3 New WC Bills

[02/28/05] CAAA Study on PD Rating Regs Inequities Now Available Here

[02/28/05] Understanding Workers' Compensation Fraud

[02/28/05] Corrections Officer Commits Fraud, Gets CALPERS Retirement??

[02/28/05] State Fund Gets New Boss (Temporarily)

[02/28/05] Alaska's Second-Highest WC Rates Being

[02/28/05] More "Women Problems" for the Governator?

[02/28/05] DWC Posts Workers' Comp. Insurance Rate Studies On Line

March 2005

[03/07/05] Medicare Answers Questions About Set-Asides (2004)

[03/07/05] LAPD Officer Goes To Jail for Work Comp Fraud

[03/07/05] State Fund Surplus Grows By $776,000,000 in 2004

[03/07/05] Carriers' Profits WAY up, Employers Premiums Up Too?

[03/07/05] Medical Provider Network Emergency Regs "Re-Adopted"

[03/07/05] Schwarzenegger Backs Initiative For Special Election

[03/07/05] Insurance Kickback Probe Deadline Looms

[03/07/05] Corvel Obtains 10 California MPN Certifications

[03/07/05] California Nurses Declare War on Schwarzenegger

[03/07/05] State Tells Legislature to Investigate CHP's "Chief's Disease"

[03/07/05] Going Away Party for Judge Dietterle Changed to April 8th

[03/07/05] Special: Two New Judges Appointed to San Diego WCAB

[03/07/05] Labor Battles Schwarzenegger, Other Groups, Over Hoch Appt.

[03/07/05] Monthly Workshops for Injured Workers at WCAB Offices

[03/07/05] Andrea Hoch Confirmation Hearing Delayed

[03/07/05] Jeff Barnett

[03/10/05] Another Calif. Carrier Capitalized, "Bullish" on the State

[03/10/05] Employers: 20% Rate Reduction Promises "Smoke & Mirrors"

[03/10/05] Nurses Kick Arnold's "Butt," Judge Rules His Actions Illegal

[03/10/05] Employee Brings Successful RICO Claim in WC

[03/14/05] DIR, Fed, State Agencies Team Up to Fight Worker Abuse

[03/14/05] New WCAB Workshops Gaining Popularity

[03/14/05] Report Says State Could Save One Million Jobs

[03/14/05] Special Interest Group Calls on Governor To Stop Fundraising

[03/14/05] State Assembly Speaker Brags About SB 899's "Benefits"

[03/14/05] New Joint Effort Underway to Catch Illegally Uninsureds In L.A.

[03/14/05] A Letter to Jeff Barnett from a Colleague

[03/14/05] Nevada Ad Campaign Against California Begins

[03/14/05] Apathy Abounds Among Injured Worker Group's Meeting

[03/15/05] CWCI Seminar on WC Trends, Defense Strategies

[03/18/05] Two Main Insurance Groups Split Over Hoch as Admin. Dir.

[03/18/05] Small Business Optimistic for 2005, Worries Over WC Rates

[03/18/05] Even Warren Beatty Speaks Out Against Governor

[03/18/05] New Chief Prosecutor Appointed to State Bar Court

[03/21/05] DLSE Participates in Sweeps In Santa Clara County

[03/21/05] AIG's Rating "Under Review" After Boss & CFO Leave

[03/21/05] "Four-Day Work Week" Says State Chamber of Commerce

[03/21/05] 2005 Education Seminars Now Thru May

[03/21/05] Zenith Fights Interpreter Services for Treatment

[03/21/05] DWC Proposes Changes for QME Regs, Sets Up Online Forum

[03/21/05] Insurance Study Criticizes Conflicting Guides for UR

[03/21/05] Dozens of New WC Bills on State Congress Docket

[03/25/05] State's Economy Continues to Grow

[03/25/05] Former DWC Deputy Director, Court Reporter Organize Workers

[03/25/05] Self-Insured Group Shows How to Reduce WC Claims/Costs

[03/25/05] AIG Cans Two Officers for Threatening to Take Fifth

[03/25/05] New Pick for WCAB Commissioner Rumored

[03/25/05] Head of CIGA Retiring

[03/28/05] Hoch Favoring ACOEM; Ignoring Rand, CHSWC Reports

[03/28/05] Union Pitching In to Fight New WC Regs

[03/28/05] Leader of CHP WC Fraud Unit Filed Own WC Claims

[03/28/05] Father/Son Plead Guilty in Huge WC Fraud Case

[03/28/05] Humor: 2005 California State Employee Handbook

[03/28/05] Another Fraudster Bites the Dust...

[03/28/05] Florida Carrier Enters Market, Looking for PEO's

[03/28/05] UR Denials: Anger Among Injured Workers Up '500-Fold'?

[03/28/05] Employer Jailed: Forged WC Certificates, Pocketed Premiums

[04/01/05] New Rule Change Regarding PEO Underwriting

April 2005

[04/01/05] A Special Note From Jeff Barnett's Family

[04/01/05] Another State's Approach to Workers Comp Problems

[04/01/05] Even With Rescinded New Meal Regs, Few Enjoy Real Meals

[04/01/05] New Suppl. Job Displacement Benefit Regs Re-Re-Released

[04/04/05] Special: Ethical/Legal Obligations of an Applicants' Attorney

[04/04/05] Governor's Actions Ruled Unlawful 3 Times in 2 Weeks

[04/04/05] UR Regs & Delays Are Topics at DWC Hearing

[04/04/05] Relief Finally In Sight for Employers??

[04/04/05] AIG Delays (Again) Annual Report, Buffet Drawn Into Mess

[04/04/05] Injured Workers' Group Schedules Protest at PD Hearings

[04/04/05] AIG's Woes Just Keep on Coming

[04/04/05] State Study of Workers' Comp. Reforms Delayed

[04/04/05] Workers' Comp. Issue Enters NFL Lawsuit in Oakland

[04/04/05] Sedgwick Gets 20 MPN's Approved by Div. of Workers' Comp.

[04/04/05] California Tribal WC Insurance Settlement Leaves Questions

[04/04/05] New WC Laws Still Questionable for Employees and Employers

[04/08/05] State Fund's 2004 Assets Soar!

[04/08/05] Hispanic On-The-Job Deaths Much Higher Than Others

[04/08/05] Criminal Charges Against AIG Unlikely Strategy?

[04/08/05] "Don't Rate Non-Scheduled Disabilities" Says CWCI

[04/11/05] Carriers Pull Out of Federal Asbestos Fund Plan Talks

[04/11/05] Does Being Fat Cause Work Injuries?

[04/11/05] Applicants' Groups Will Appeal Rejection of Ratings Regs

[04/11/05] Mentioning HIV in Doctor's First Report Form Illegal

[04/11/05] 100 Medical Provider Networks Added in Last Week!

[04/11/05] Interpreters: Zenith's Change of Heart or Change in Strategy?

[04/11/05] Governor's Emergency Rule-Making Powers Overused?

[04/11/05] Real Impact to Workers of Age Discrimination Case Debated

[04/11/05] WCIRB Officially Files for Rate Decrease

[04/11/05] Rating Bureau Begins Rating Under New Rating Regs

[04/11/05] Tribal WC Insurance Settlement Formally Announced

[04/11/05] Join the Farewell Party for PJ Keith Dietterle in San Diego!

[04/11/05] Swearing In of 2 San Diego WC Judges Set for April 11th

[04/11/05] SB 899 Repealed, Arnold Quits, New Governor Sworn In!

[04/18/05] Take the Survey of Your Local WCAB

[04/18/05] Latest Draft of Meal and Rest Period Regs Posted

[04/18/05] Fixing SB 796 - the "Sue Your Boss Law"

[04/18/05] S.D. Claims Examiner's Husband Arrested for Murder

[04/18/05] The After Effects of the New Laws From the "Front Lines"

[04/18/05] Former Senator, Critics, Blast WC "Reforms"

[04/21/05] Epidemic? Back Injuries, Comp. Claims, and Field Workers

[04/21/05] Applications Open for DWC Medical Unit Chief

[04/21/05] San Diego WCAB to Get Temporary Help With Walk-Thru's

[04/22/05] Employers' Group Rallies for Hoch Confirmation

[04/22/05] HAPPY BIRTHDAY SB 899!! (P.S. Protests Planned)

[04/22/05] Argument Date Set for Illegal Aliens WC Cases

[04/22/05] This Week's S.D. Luncheon to Discuss New Regs, Etc.

[04/22/05] Managed Care Group Sues Chubb for False Advertising

[04/22/05] Number One WC Concern: UR Regulations

[04/22/05] Reviews Still Very Mixed on WC Reforms

[04/22/05] Is State Fund at Critical Mass?

[04/25/05] WC Rate Cap, MPN Safeguards, Pass Senate Committee

[04/25/05] DWC Posts Yet Another Set of Rating Regs Modifications

[04/25/05] ACOEM Publisher Seeks to Limit ACOEM Distribution

[04/25/05] UR Emergency Regs Readopted on Emergency Basis... Again

[04/25/05] San Diego Board Says Good-Bye and Hello to Judges

[04/25/05] Self-Insured Groups Growing Fast in Popularity

[04/25/05] Democrat Vows to Hold Up Budget Unless WC Laws Reformed

[04/25/05] A Look at Both Sides of the Workers Comp Fight

[04/26/05] Huge Turn-Out Expected for Hoch Hearing, Governor Firm

[04/26/05] Governor's Agenda: Losing Steam? Time to Go?

[04/26/05] Horse Racing Task Force: Calif. a "Model" for WC Coverage

[04/26/05] Governor Brings Out Heavy Artillery: Wife

[04/28/05] WC Woes Coming to Head With Today's Hoch Hearing

[04/28/05] Def. Atty's Memo on Money Charts Still Making Waves

[04/28/05] Bill Potentially Reducing LC 4850 Benefits Fails

[04/28/05] Is Andrea Hoch Losing Favor With Governor?

May 2005

[05/02/05] Workers' Comp. Carriers Continue Touting Soaring Profits

[05/02/05] San Diego Chiro Sentenced for Defrauding State Fund

[05/02/05] WCIRB: Rates Drop 16% - Gararmendi: Where's the Beef?

[05/02/05] Qualcomm Exec Cites Huge Savings Moving to Nevada

[05/02/05] AIA Tells State to "Stay the Course" With SB 899

[05/02/05] VIAW Calls Workers' Comp. Protests Major Success

[05/02/05] Flurry of WCAB Events Brings Out Big-Name Protesters

[05/02/05] WCAB Releases 1st Annual Report on SB 899 Progress

[05/02/05] Press Release: WC Carrier Market Looking Good

[05/02/05] Department of Insurance Adds to AIG's Woes

[05/05/05] MPN's Ripping Off Doctors Says Occupational Physician

[05/05/05] Why Are Hispanic Workers Dying on the Job More?

[05/05/05] Vote for Attorney / Judge of the Year, Lifetime Achievement

[05/05/05] Special: Hoch Confirmed as Administrative Director of DWC

[05/06/05] A Bio of SCIF's Former Chief, Jack Webb

[05/06/05] CHSWC Studies Allowable Fees for Repackaged Drugs

[05/09/05] A.D.'s Confirmation Hearing Telecast Now Available Online

[05/09/05] Garamendi Questions Why WC Rates Aren't Dropping Faster

[05/09/05] Senate Bill for New WC Penalty Clears Committee

[05/09/05] Nunez Backs Down From Holding Up Budget for WC

[05/09/05] FBI Looking Into PEO Insurance Market Scams

[05/09/05] Is U.S. L&H Market in Trouble? State Studies Remedies

[05/12/05] L.A. Becoming More Business Un-Friendly

[05/12/05] Aloha Subjectives! Hawaii Follows California's "Lead"

June 2005 - August 2006

[05/30/05] Latest WC Fraud Press Release From Ins. Commissioner

[05/30/05] Employers Beware: Liability for Drunk Employees?

[05/30/05] Insurance Exec. Takes Offense Against New York AG Spitzer

[05/30/05] CHP Can't Shake WC Fraud News Headlines

[05/30/05] Garamendi Wants More Money From Fremont

[05/30/05] Different Sources, Different Takes on the New Laws

[05/30/05] Carrier Announces 40% Premium/Credit Reduction

[05/30/05] Hawaii Legislature Says 'Back Off' to Governor's WC Rules

[05/30/05] Insurers Describe Cal. WC Market: 'Moribund' to 'Sizzling'

[05/30/05] Digest of 2004 Complaints Against WC Judges

[05/30/05] Northern Cal. Construction Business Accused of WC Fraud

[05/25/06] SB 899 Fix? Heads of Senate and Assembly Meeting Governor

[05/25/06] Labor Group Files Supreme Court Attack on New Ratings

[05/25/06] Official Medical Fee Schedule Regs Filed With OAL

[05/25/06] Employers Beware: Shopping WC Carriers Can Be Risky

[05/25/06] Supplemental Job Displacement Benefit Regs Submitted

[08/30/06] DWC Reviewing Utilization Review

[08/30/06] New DWC Court Administrator Confirmed

[08/30/06] Big Rate Cut for Employers Anticipated

September 2006

[09/30/06] DWC Proposes Higher Fines for "Pattern" of Late Payments

[09/30/06] WCIRB Proposes Decrease in Premiums... or NOT

[09/30/06] Zenith Announces 25% Increase in Quarterly Dividends

[09/30/06] Burn Treatment Bill Also Vetoed

October 2006

[10/09/06] Full Coverage of Governor's SB 815 Veto

[10/09/06] Criticism Swift to Governor's SB 815 Veto

[10/16/06] Comp Premiums Still Dropping But Who's Benefiting?

[10/16/06] While Worker-paid Health Care Rates Rise!

[10/16/06] Rating California's HMO's: Depends on Your Illness

[10/16/06] Is S.D. Mayor the New 'Go-To' Guy for Future of WC?

[10/16/06] Garamendi Raves of WC Reforms, But... Not Totally

[10/16/06] New Insurance Commissioner Could Make WC Difference

[10/23/06] WCIRB Releases New Post-Reform Cost Savings Study

[10/23/06] Claims Examiners Must Now Use WCIS DataBase

[10/23/06] Pros and Cons of Employees vs. Ind. Contractors

[10/23/06] Why Everyone Benefits From Return-to-Work Programs

[10/23/06] Med Guideline Advisory Committee Nominations Now Open

[10/23/06] Hearing on Regulations for Repackaged Drugs Set

[10/30/06] WCAB Begs Supreme Ct. to Help With Apportionment

[10/30/06] Other WC Bills Signed and Vetoed

[10/30/06] Chatsworth Employer Arrested in HUGE WC Fraud

[10/30/06] Insurance Dept. Announces Record Money Distribution

[10/30/06] State Fund "Campus" on the Horizon?

[10/30/06] State Bar WC Section Offering Law Update in November

November 2006

[11/06/06] 3 Accused of Massive WC Fraud Bail Out for $10K

[11/06/06] Should Employer WC Coverage Proof Be Online?

[11/06/06] Oral Arguments Heard in Apportionment Case

[11/06/06] Zenith Triples Net Profits From Year Ago

[11/13/06] Worker-Advocate Peggy Sugarman Joins Defense Firm

[11/13/06] New Proposed Rules for Benefit Notices Published

[11/13/06] Officials Predict New SB 899 Clean Up Bills Coming

[11/13/06] Doctors, Other Professionals Lead Workers' Comp. Fraud

[11/27/06] Spinal Hardware for Low Back Fusions No Help for Pain

[11/27/06] Fireman's Fund to Pay Pharmacists Huge Dividends

[11/27/06] Doctors Ask DWC to Re-Consider Drug-Repackaging Regs

[11/27/06] Garamendi Proposes 9.5% Premium Reduction for 2007

[11/27/06] Sacramento Grand Jury Probing CHP's "Chiefs Disease"

[11/27/06] DWC Proposes New Regs for Delay-of-Benefits Pattern

[11/27/06] DWC Med Director Says UR Needs Oversight!

December 2006

[12/04/06] S.D. County Health Care Worker Convicted of WC Fraud

[12/04/06] SCIF's Directors Resign Amid Ethics, Money Issues

[12/04/06] Should Employers Ban Personal Digital Assistants??

[12/04/06] The Future is Here for Job Stress: Virtual Vacations

[12/04/06] We've Got the Juicier WCJ Complaints From Last Year!

[12/04/06] Kaiser "Thrives" Over California's W.C. Reforms!

[12/04/06] State Offers Workers Help Navigating Med Treatment

[12/11/06] DWC's Latest Proposed UR/Treatment Delay Regs

[12/11/06] Chiro Convicted, Sentenced in WC Billing Fraud

[12/11/06] Is Vacaville the New Health Care and Comp. Capital?

[12/11/06] Zenith Declares Sixth Straight Rate Cut

[12/11/06] Dentists Shed Light On Cutting Down Comp. Claims

[12/11/06] Not All Employers Happy With Reforms

[12/18/06] Despite "Reforms," Calif. Among Highest WC Rates

[12/18/06] Summary of New Proposed Penalty Regs

[12/18/06] New Utilization Review Forms

[12/18/06] Former SCIF Official Talks About Allegations

[12/31/06] Bye-bye A.C.O.E.M., Hello M.T.U.S! (...F.Y.I...)

[12/31/06] Does DIR Transcript Show Delay Caused Worker's Death?

[12/31/06] State Fund's Glass House Showing Cracks

[12/31/06] Secret Govt. Strategy: Limit Nuclear Workers' Benefits

[12/31/06] Bill Introduced Adding Acupuncture to LC 4600

January 2007

[01-08-07] Key Legislator for SB 899 Hired by Safeco

[01-08-07] Retiring Cops: Is "Chief's Disease" Contagious?

[01-08-07] Why We Need UR Penalties, How They'll Work

[01-08-07] Law Requires WC Insurance Even If No Employees??

[01-08-07] Sacramento Commentator Promises More WC Fights

[01-08-07] Study Shows Surprising Findings for Insurance Industry

[01-08-07] Injured Workers' Group Vows Fight Against New Ratings

[01-08-07] State Fund Gets Whopping Restitution Award in SD Case

[01-08-07] New Law Ties Hospital Billing to W.C. Fees

[01-15-07] 1/4 Million Dollar WC Fraud for 'Nursing' Dead Person

[01-15-07] New Temporary Fee Increase For Docs Proposed

[01-22-07] Work-Related Bills That Were Passed But Vetoed

[01-22-07] Small Employers: Workplace Mod Reimbursements!

[01-22-07] Small Pharmacies Offered Lower WC Premiums

[01-22-07] SB-899 Protestors Join Ins. Commissioner Ceremony

[01-29-07] Tips for Rating Spinal Disease under AMA Guides

[01-29-07] Law Enforcement Scoffs at Public Disclosure Laws

[01-29-07] Two Reports by CHSWC Summarize WC in 2006

[01-29-07] More Shenanigans at the CHP ???

[01-29-07] Calif. Applicants Attys Assn. Convention Coming to SD

[01-29-07] Major Study on How Employers Treat Employees

[01-29-07] Applications for QME Exam Now Available

February 2007

[02/05/07] Major Lung Problems Reported for CA Popcorn Workers

[02/05/07] Wealth Gap Between Employees and Employers Widens

[02/05/07] New Head of Labor Committee Vows Revisiting Reforms

[02/05/07] Are 30% of California's Employers Illegally Uninsured?

[02/05/07] Hearing on Employee Travel Reimbursement Regs Set

[02/05/07] Public Hearing Set for Proposed Medical Fee Schedule

[02/05/07] Unions Sue OSHA Over Employee Protective Equipment

[02/12/07] No Prosecution in CHP's Chief's Disease Scandal

[02/12/07] Another Police Chief Gets WC Benefits for Harassment

[02/12/07] Despite Lifting TV's on Tape, Back Injury Fraud Case Tossed

[02/12/07] State Fund Agrees to Premium Extensions for Farmers

[02/12/07] Governor Compares Health Care to WC Reforms

[02/19/07] More Disabled Workers Returning to Workforce

[02/19/07] Uninsured Employers: Does Punishment Fit Crime?

[02/19/07] In-Patient Hospital Services Fees Adjusted

[02/19/07] Highlights From the CAAA Convention

[02/19/07] Physician Pre-Designation Rules Amended

[02/19/07] WCAB Commissioner and Former Chairman Out

[02/19/07] Trend Continues: Zenith Premiums Down, Income Up

[02/19/07] CA Chamber of Commerce Vows to Fight WC Changes

[02/26/07] Bakersfield Family Charged with Multiple Fraud Counts

[02/26/07] Longtime Southern California WCJ Passes Away

[02/26/07] Who Makes More? L.A. or Bay Area Worker?

March 2007

[3/05/07] Zenith Rolling in the Dough (Profits up 20%)

[3/05/07] DWC Deadline for Outpatient Facilities: 3/1 -- Get Form Here

[3/05/07] Final Regulations for Med Fee Increases Posted

[3/05/07] Hawaii Proposes Limiting When Employers Need WC Ins.

[3/05/07] Two States Privatize Their WC Systems in Different Ways

[3/05/07] Companies Applauded for Workplace Excellence

[3/05/07] Sedgewick CMS Announces New CFO/VP/Director

[3/05/07] Med Evaluation and Management Services Fees Increased

[3/05/07] 4th Revision of Unreasonable Delay Penalties Proposed

[3/12/07] C.I.G.A. Contact Numbers Posted

[3/12/07] New DWC Study: Workers, Doctors Differ on Treatment

[3/12/07] Could State Fund Manage New Private Health Care?

[3/12/07] More on Diacetyl and the 8 Work-Related Lung Cases

[3/12/07] We're Back to 7 WCAB Commissioners Again!

[3/12/07] Read Attorney's Proposed Initiative to End SB 899 MPN's

[3/12/07] Are California Businesses Really Fleeing the State?

[3/12/07] Bay Area Shuttle Company Busted for Huge WC Fraud

[3/19/07] Another California Compensation Co. Sees Big Profits

[3/19/07] WCIRB Announces Schedule of Seminars for 2007

[3/19/07] AIG to Pay $443.5 Million to Liquidated Insurance Companies

[3/19/07] Deadline for 2007 Legislation Closes, 32 WC Bills Included

[3/26/07] SB 899: The Mother of All Reforms, 3 Years Later

[3/26/07] Study Finds Immigrant Labor Raises Average State Wages

[3/26/07] Senate Hopes for Bill Increasing PD That Won't Be Vetoed

[3/26/07] Coalition Poised to Fight Any New Anti-SB-899 Proposals

[3/26/07] More on State Fund as Player in Private Health Care Market

[3/26/07] Should Public Safety Workers Be Excluded From TD Cap?

April 2007

[4/02/07] L.A. Safety-Worker Disability Pensions Investigated

[4/02/07] State Chiropractic Board Revolts, Gov. Keeps Distance

[4/02/07] DWC Names Med Board Members, Set to Meet Privately

[4/02/07] Will California Ban Diacetyl in the Work Place?

[4/02/07] DWC Establishes Medical Guideline Advisory Committee

[4/09/07] Uninsured San Diego, Orange County Restaurants Cited

[4/09/07] Acupuncture Guidelines Bill for Labor Code Amended

[4/09/07] Should Businesses Get WC Discount for Drug Testing?

[4/09/07] Huge Riverside Fraud Bust Won't Delay 29-Palms Project

[4/09/07] Bill Would Exempt Farmers' Relatives From WC Coverage

[4/09/07] Time to Cancel WC Benefits for Inmates?

[4/09/07] Are Feds Wrongly Denying California Cancer Claims?

[4/09/07] UCLA Reports on 2003-04 Workers' Comp. Reforms

[4/09/07] Proposed U.R. Guidelines Revised (yes) Again

[4/09/07] Wild Chiro Board Now Targeted by Legislature

[4/09/07] Chiro Board Having Second Thoughts About Its Actions

[4/16/07] New Labor Federation Report: Carriers Win, Workers Lose

[4/16/07] WC Premium Rates May Drop 11% Later This Year

[4/16/07] New Workers' Comp. Initiative Could Cost Employers Billions

[4/16/07] 'The Dish Man' Arrested on WC Fraud, Other Charges

[4/16/07] Major Newspapers Weigh In on Chiro Board's Missteps

[4/16/07] Arrest Warrant for Fake Cal Osha Inspector Issued

[4/16/07] Biggest WC Fraud Case in Riverside County History!

[4/16/07] 14,000 Facilities Identified by OSHA as High Risk

[4/16/07] Telecommuting and Workers' Comp: Serious Issues Lurk

[4/16/07] Riverside WC Fraud Defendants Cut Loose in Unusual Bail Deal

[4/16/07] DWC Grants New Grace Period For Reporting Medical Lien Pymts

[4/16/07] Two State Legislators Call for CHP Chief to Resign

[4/23/07] DWC Issues 2nd 15-Day Revision Notice of Med Treatment Regs

[4/23/07] State Senate Enters SCIF Criminal Investigation Probe

[4/23/07] State Bar Schedules 3 More SB 899 Seminars

[4/23/07] DWC Posts QME Regs for Public Comment

[4/23/07] Another Wrist Slap for San Diego Company Convicted of WC Fraud

[4/23/07] Time for a Change in SCIF's Governing Structure?

[4/23/07] New Durable Medical Equipment Fees Posted

[4/23/07] Employee Group Calls for Rally on 'Workers' Memorial Day'

[4/23/07] Ins. Dept. and Senate Both Investigating State Fund

[4/23/07] Chiro Board Apologizes But Re-Fires Director

[4/30/07] Physicians File Class-Action Against SCIF, Health Providers

[4/30/07] Changing Faces Around State for WCAB Judges

[4/30/07] Bill Raising PD Rates Set for Next Week

[4/30/07] Study Says 2-Year TD Cap Good for All

[4/30/07] Police Detective Arrested on WC Fraud Charges

[4/30/07] Heart Attack While Firefighting Bigger Risk Than First Thought

May 2007

[5/07/07] Insurance Dept. Explores Criminal Charges Against SCIF

[5/07/07] Hot Tip on How Supremes Will Decide Brodie/Welcher Cases

[5/07/07] Florida Successfully Scaring Off WC Attys - Could It Happen Here?

[5/07/07] Labor Warns Against Using WC 'Reforms' as Health-Care Model

[5/07/07] Two New Execs Hired at SCIF, 'Integrity' Hotline Established

[5/07/07] Forget Your Orthopedic Shoe - Risk Jail

[5/07/07] Chiro Board Considers Reinstating Convicted Members

[5/07/07] Governor and WCAN Celebrate 3rd Anniversary of SB 899

[5/14/07] Assembly Advances Bill Increasing 2-Year TD Cap

[5/14/07] Latest News on Zenith's Credit Rating & Earnings

[5/14/07] Major 3rd Party Admin. Supports SB 899 With Solid Numbers

[5/14/07] If You're On Your Way to the Santa Monica Board...

[5/14/07] Crawford Announces Bigtime Revenue Increase for 2007

[5/21/07] Statistical Report Released on Common Work Injuries, Treatment

[5/21/07] Assaults Up for Bay Area Transit Workers, WC Benefits Delayed?

[5/21/07] Mislabeling Business Type Leads to Jail, $100K Restitution

[5/21/07] DWC Adjusts Inpatient & Outpatient Med Fee Regs

[5/21/07] SCIF Promotes Insider to Assistant Chief Counsel Position

[5/28/07] S.F. Appeals Ct. Destroying Thousands of Case Files

[5/28/07] DWC Medical Unit's New Address

[5/28/07] New Reg Limiting QME's to Fewer Offices?

[5/28/07] With Lower WC Costs, Is There Less Concerned with Safety?

[5/28/07] Tips on Saving Big Bucks on Workers Comp Insurance

[5/28/07] California: The "Sue-You" State"??

[5/28/07] DWC Seeks Proposals for Updating Physician Fee Schedule

[5/28/07] One Bill Extending TD-Cap Still Alive, Another Bites the Dust

[5/28/07] Bill Changing P.T. Limits & U.R. Doctors Passes Committee

[5/28/07] Read Final Utilization Review Regs

June 2007

[6/04/07] More WC Premium Reductions Recommended

[6/04/07] Big Changes Coming to Chiro Board? (Legislation & Comment)

[6/04/07] 3 Orange Co. Doctors Arrested in Biggest Outpatient Scam

[6/04/07] State Senate Leader "Liberalizes" Crucial Committee

[6/04/07] National WC Underwriting Figures Get Big Boost From California

[6/11/07] 2 Californians Charged With $100 Million Nationwide WC Fraud

[6/11/07] Governor: Don't Expect WC Changes (or Any 'Job-Killer' Bills)!

[6/11/07] Ins. Chief's 1st 100 Days: SCIF Mess to Efforts to Change WC

[6/11/07] Special: When Do I File? Avoid Emplymt S/L Mistakes

[6/11/07] New State-Wide Fraud Task Force Begins Work

[6/11/07] Workers' Comp Defense Pioneer Passes Away

[6/11/07] DIR Observes Safe Jobs for Youth Month

[6/11/07] State Fund Demotes General Counsel

[6/11/07] Lawsuit Alleges Mislabeling of Home Depot Drivers

[6/11/07] WC Stressing You Out? How 'Bout a Laugh?

[6/11/07] Ins. Dept. Announces Major Fraud Investigations

[6/11/07] DOSH Working on Diacetyl Protections, Issues Fact Sheet

[6/18/07] Another New Chiro Board Member Ripped by Judge, Newspaper

[6/18/07] Reactions to Brodie-Welcher Ruling: Swift, Expected

[6/18/07] New Report: Carriers Gagging on Excess Premium Money

[6/18/07] Read Insurers' Criticism of Draft Med Treatment Regulations

[6/18/07] Carriers Face $400,000 Late Penalty Fines

[6/18/07] Doctor's Study Claims Most Calif. AMA Ratings Are Inflated

[6/18/07] How Businesses Can Avoid WC Insurance Scams

[6/18/07] SCIF Gets $113,000 Restitution from San Diego WC Fraud Case

[6/18/07] San Jose: Highest WC Costs in the State!

[6/18/07] State Fund Files for 11 Percent Rate Reduction

[6/18/07] Ins. Commissioners Unveils WC Reforms & Rate Reductions

[6/25/07] DWC Announces Upcoming QME Competency Examinations

[6/25/07] A Farewell to Ken Rowen, "Force Majeur" Applicants' Attorney

[6/25/07] Initiative Banning Medical Provider Networks Qualifies for Signatures

[6/25/07] CCWC Announces Line-Up for Upcoming 2007 Annual Conference

[6/25/07] 10-Yr State Fund - Kaiser Alliance Deemed Big Success

July 2007

[7/02/07] DWC Releases Long-Awaited 3rd PD Wage-Loss Report

[7/02/07] DWC Memo Shows Ratings Decreased 41% Since 2005

[7/02/07] Fireman's Fund Head Resigns Abruptly After 5 Months On Job

[7/02/07] Chiro Assn President Responds to Legislative Attack

[7/02/07] DWC's Public Hearing on Wage Loss Study Leaves Many Questions

[7/02/07] State Fund Probe Widening, CHP Now Involved

[7/02/07] Sacramento Analyst Says Don't Expect Any WC Roll Backs

[7/02/07] This Week's Perp Walk (aka Don't Forget the Priors)!

[7/02/07] Sweep of L.A. Construction Companies Brings Citations

[7/09/07] New Job Displacement Voucher Bill Advances

[7/09/07] Final U.R. Review Regs Take Effect - U.R. Plans MUST Be Filed!

[7/09/07] DWC Posts Wage Loss Study Online for Public Comment

[7/09/07] State Fund Probe Now Includes Private Class Action Suit

[7/09/07] New WCIRB Report: WC Insurers Semi-Happy Campers

[7/09/07] Adjustments to DMEPOS Section of Med Fee Schedule Posted

[7/09/07] Indian Compacts Approved, Enforceability of WC Changes Debated

[7/09/07] Senate Committee Votes on Bill Doubling PD Rates

[7/09/07] Major Newspaper Questions State's WC "Reforms"

[7/16/07] Audio Interview With Atty Sponsoring MPN Initiative

[7/16/07] New Installment: Devastating Social Security Backlogs

[7/16/07] CA Workers Benefiting from Smoke-Free Bars/Restaurants

[7/16/07] Stockton WCJ Appointed PJ; New WCJ Starts in San Diego

[7/16/07] State Bar Rating Seminars Scheduled Over Next 3 Weeks

[7/16/07] New State Fund Director Appointed by Governor

[7/16/07] As Temps Rise, CAL/OSHA Again Stresses Heat Illness Prevention

[7/16/07] CAL / OSHA Publishes Ergonomic Guides

[07/23/07] State Fund Delays Release of Its Internal Investigation

[07/23/07] With Despair (But Some Hope), Melvin Witt Retires

[07/23/07] DWC Wants Public Comment on Disability Accommodation Regs

[07/23/07] 2 Top-Level Insurance Department Appointments Announced

[07/23/07] Bill Filed to Permit Employees Family 'Bereavement' Time

[07/23/07] Anti-MPN Petition Available Online

[07/23/07] New Official Treatment Guides Are... the Same Old (ACOEM) Ones!

[07/23/07] QME Exam Locations Announced

[07/30/07] Threats to Two WCJ's Could Bring 13 Years Jail Time

[07/30/07] Are Chiro Heart Patients At-Risk?

[07/30/07] 3 WC Bills Move Forward on 3-2 Committee Votes

[07/30/07] New Study: WC Reforms 'Working' (Unless You're a Worker)

[07/30/07] WCRIB Releases Estimated Annual Costs for Earthquakes

[07/30/07] San Jose Safety Officers Catching CHP's 'Chief's Disease'!

[07/30/07] New Rate Regulator Appointed at Dept. of Insurance

[07/30/07] Obese Workers File Twice As Many WC Claims

August 2007

[08/06/07] Chamber of Commerce Lists "Job-Killer" Bills

[08/06/07] New Report: 90% of States Pay More PD Than California

[08/06/07] Uninsured Business Owner Gets $5.8 Mil From Ins. Agency

[08/06/07] Congress May Help CA Nuclear & Chemical Workers

[08/06/07] Multi-Agency Task Force Targets Hayward Bar Owners

[08/13/07] How Much Do TPA's Need to Disclose About Their Contractors?

[08/13/07] Lawmakers Authorize Audits of CHP and Chiro Board

[08/13/07] Better Treatment With New ACOEM Revised Elbow Chapter

[08/13/07] DWC Needs Ideas for Conducting U.R. Review Investigations

[08/13/07] New Study Suggests Safer Cars May Cost WC Carriers More Money

[08/13/07] DWC Needs Help Updating Physician Fee Schedule

[08/20/07] Class-Action Suit Filed by Chiropractor Against Zenith

[08/20/07] Low RBRVS Fees Scaring Off WC Orthos & Neuros!

[08/20/07] Carriers Warned to Recheck TD Per Hawkins Case

[08/20/07] Zenith Reports Net Premiums Down, Income Up

[08/20/07] Two CAAA Prez's Discuss Ramifications of Brodie-Welcher

[08/20/07] DWC Tells Employers 'Don't Send Everything to UR!'

[08/20/07] Insurance Commissioner Appalled at SCIF Mess, Vows Clean Up

[08/20/07] Medicaid Rx Patients In for Big Surprise Come October

[08/27/07] NFL Players' Rep Criticized for Poor Retirement, Disability Procedures

[08/27/07] Is Computer "Whoosh" the Next Carpel Tunnel Syndrome??

[08/27/07] Schedule & Sign-Up Info for WC Section at Sept. Annual Bar Meeting

[08/27/07] 3 State Agencies Form Criminal Task Force to Probe SCIF

[08/27/07] Chamber of Commerce: Kill Job-Killer WC Bills!

[08/27/07] DWC Posts Med & Electronic Billing Regs Online for Public Comment

[08/27/07] Chiropractor Appointed to DWC Med Evidence Advisory Board

[08/27/07] New DIR Chief Appointed, Acting Head Moves to LWDA

[08/27/07] State Fund Gets New President from CNA

September 2007

[09/04/07] Largest ADA Case Ever Certified as Class-Action

[09/04/07] Should Fed WC System Be Handling Civilian Combat Injuries?

[09/04/07] Company Offers Free Pedometers to Save Health Costs

[09/04/07] DWC Issues 15-Day Notice for Benefit Notice & MPN Regs

[09/10/07] This Week's WC Fraud Watch, Part I: Prison Cop

[09/10/07] Soc. Sec. Claims: When Is It Time for Legal Help?

[09/10/07] This Week's WC Fraud Watch, Part II (Nurse Assistant / Carpenter)

[09/10/07] Drop in CA Spending Lowers U.S. WC Benefits and Costs

[09/10/07] California to be Only State Without Doctor Drug/Alcohol Program

[09/10/07] Wal-Mart Settles Wage, Penalties With Labor Dept.

[09/10/07] State Bar Adopts Voluntary 'Code of Civility'

[09/10/07] National WC Claims Fall, Meds and Benefits Rise

[09/10/07] Employer Fraud Case Shifts WC to Non-Industrial Carriers

[09/10/07] Even Wonder Bread Can't Take the California Heat

[09/10/07] DWC Directs Workers & Carriers to Fed Sites for SJDB Schools

[09/10/07] Should Large WC Deductible Policies Be Regulated?

[09/17/07] New Report: Bill Ending TD Cap Will Raise Costs 11%

[09/17/07] TD Cap Extension Bill Still Alive... But Very Different

[09/17/07] Latest Chiro Bill Would Leave Board Some Automony

[09/24/07] State Bar Offers Online MCLE Credit on Workers' Comp. Ins.

[09/24/07] Michigan Insurer Buys California WC Carrier

[09/24/07] SCIF "Report" on Cleaning Up Its Act a Little Lacking

October 2007

[10/01/07] Details Emerge of All-Inclusive WC/Health Care Plan

[10/01/07] New Soc. Sec. Installment: Documenting Arthritis Claims

[10/08/07] Ins. Group Urges Bill Removing 65% WC Reserve

[10/08/07] Analysis: Do MPN's Work? For Whom and at What Cost?

[10/08/07] This Week's WC Fraud Watch: Rialto Man v. Springfield Ins.

[10/08/07] Four Percent WC Premium Rate Increase Recommended... Maybe

[10/08/07] State Bar WC Section Announces Annual Top Honorees

[10/08/07] San Bernardino PJ Dies

[10/08/07] Garment Industry Latest Target of Employment Violations

[10/08/07] Latest Analysis: Average Ratings Way Down Since Pre-2005

[10/08/07] State Fund Drops Controversial Firm Amid Conflict of Interest Probes

[10/08/07] HOA's & Contractors Beware: Read Heiman Case!

[10/08/07] Labor Enforcers Conduct 6-County Sweep of Car Washes

[10/08/07] 2nd 15-day Revision Notice Re Benefit Notices & MPN Terminations

[10/15/07] Where Have All the L.A. County Employees Gone?

[10/15/07] DWC Reminds Small Employers of Available Money

[10/15/07] It's Official: WCIRB Proposes 4.2% Pure Premium Rate Increase

[10/15/07] Bill Advances to Penalize Employers Who Mislabel Employees

[10/15/07] Study Finds Huge Drop in Post-Surgical Physical Therapy

[10/15/07] Safety Workers Want New Infection Listed as Work Hazard

[10/15/07] Hopes Rise for Changes in TD, PD, PT & Chiros

[10/15/07] Will Governor Sign ANY Pending WC Bills??

[10/15/07] Admin. Director Hints 2 Bills Will Pass, 2 Will Die

[10/15/07] Chamber Says Bad TD Bill is Now Good TD Bill (as Amended)

[10/22/07] 5th WC Forum Coming This Month to Huntington Beach

[10/22/07] Why Doctors Hate Workers' Comp

[10/22/07] Woman's 4-Yr Battle to Overturn WC Fraud No-Contest Plea

[10/22/07] Medical Board to Re-Think Substance-Abuse Program for Doctors

[10/22/07] City of Fresno Set to Classiy Staph Infection as Work-Related

[10/22/07] DWC Proposes Regs Dropping ACOEM Chronic Pain Guides

[10/22/07] Will A.D. Recommend Just 10% PD Increase

[10/22/07] Assessments to Employers for Fraud Continue to Rise

[10/29/07] Dates/Places Set for 15th Annual DWC Ed. Conferences

[10/29/07] TriStar Reports Major Fraud Among 3rd-Party Administrators!

[10/29/07] Governor Spends Weekend Signing & Vetoing Major WC Bills

[10/29/07] DWC Requests Comment for Electronic Data Collection Regs

November 2007

[11/05/07] It's Official - Nevans No Longer 'Acting'

[11/05/07] Governor Chooses Between Chiro Buddies and Public's Concerns

[11/05/07] TD and PD Legislation Finally Get Governor's Attention

[11/05/07] DWC's Proposed New Audit Rules Posted

[11/05/07] So. Cal. Wild Fires Wreak Havoc for Business, People & Property

[11/05/07] Assembly Speaker Vows to Continue PD Fight Despite Gov's Veto

[11/05/07] Soc. Sec. Series: Disability Claimants & Private Insurance

[11/05/07] Study Shows SB 899 Savings Pendulum Has Swung Too Far

[11/13/07] WCIRB: New TD Bill Means Premium Increase, Hearing Set

[11/13/07] State Fund Offers Relief for Fire Victim Policyholders

[11/13/07] New Pro-Employer Revision to MPN Regs Proposed

[11/13/07] Voters 'Happy' With Governor Despite State Over-Spending

[11/13/07] Despite Outsourcing, State Ranks High for Factory Jobs

[11/19/07] Denial of WC Med Care 'Typical' - Investigation Demanded

[11/19/07] Expected Increased PD Ratings Won't Reflect Carrier Savings

[11/19/07] 8 More WC & Med Related Bills Signed & Vetoed Before Deadline

[11/19/07] Just-Signed Law Changes Powers & Makeup of State Medical Board

[11/19/07] Study Shows State 5th Lowest in Employer-Paid Health Insurance

[11/19/07] CAL/OSHA Posts Safety Tips for Adult Film Industry

[11/19/07] Heavy Hitters Briefs For & Against New Apportionment

[11/19/07] State Fund Sued for Using Too Many Outside Attorneys

[11/26/07] New Report: Employer WC Fraud Rampant in California!

[11/26/07] Ins. Execs Discuss WC 'Image' Problem in National Forum

[11/26/07] Weekly Perp Walk: 2 WC Fraud Arrests in SoCal

[11/26/07] Managing WC Drug Costs (Which is 15% of Treatment)

[11/26/07] Atty General Announces New Strategy Targeting Employers

December 2007

[12/03/07] DIR Announces Work Injuries Decreased in 2006

[12/03/07] New Bill Tells Medicare to Explain WC Delayed

[12/03/07] Employers Beware: No WC Insurance Will Cost You Dearly

[12/03/07] WCIRB Declares WC System 'Healthy' Per 2nd Qtr Results

[12/03/07] Important WC Decisions to Look For in Coming Months

[12/03/07] Major Changes in Store with WCAB Commissioners

[12/03/07] Did Health-Net Pay Bonuses for Revoking Policies?

[12/03/07] More Employers Probed for 'Injury-Hiding' in Monterey County

[12/03/07] Bill to Monitor Medicare Set-Aside Delays Goes Nowhere

[12/10/07] Registration Opens for 2008 DWC Educational Conference

[12/10/07] Doctors Told to Return Back Pain Workers to Work

[12/10/07] Sacramento Workers' Group Compiles WC Horror Stories

[12/10/07] Governor Warns WCAB, State Agencies to Cut 10%

[12/10/07] Latest EEEC Sweep: Restaurants in Alameda County

[12/10/07] More Questions Surface About Ins. Dept.'s Neutrality

[12/17/07] Restaurant Shut Down, Fined $100K for Non-Insurance

[12/17/07] State Fund Bucks WCIRB, Won't Raise Rates

[12/17/07] Health-Net Fined $1 Mil for Hiding Bonus Programs

[12/17/07] Nail Technicians Testify About Toxic Work Hazards

[12/17/07] DWC Re-Thinks Post-Surgery Treatment Regs, Returns to ODG

[12/17/07] Fresno Rules Staph Infection is WC Injury for Safety Workers

[12/17/07] Former Prison Guard Gets Prison for Faking WC Injuries

[12/17/07] California Will Have Highest Minimum Wage Next Month

[12/17/07] Fake Labor Commission Rep Charged With Multiple Felonies

[12/24/07] New Sixth Edition of AMA Guides Coming, But Will CA Adopt It?

[12/24/07] Owner of Closed Restaurant Arrested, Warrants Issued for Family

[12/24/07] New WCAB Electronic Filing System Set to Start July 1, 2008

[12/24/07] Dept of Insurance Advises WC Carriers Not to Raise Premiums

[12/24/07] New Voc. Rehab. Installment by Alan Leno

[12/24/07] DIR Announces First Post SB 899 Medical "Carve-Out" Agreement

[12/24/07] Atty Gen Sues Staffing Co. for Exploiting WC Coverage Loophole

[12/24/07] San Diego Employer Ordered to Pay SCIF $153K for WC Fraud

[12/24/07] DWC Mails Employers Their Annual Bill: A $62 Mil Increase

[12/31/07] WCIRB Finds WC Loss-Ratio Costs Rising in 2007!

[12/31/07] Zenith Head Gets Huge Pay Increase

[12/31/07] Employee or Ind. Contractor?

[12/31/07] Pair Who Discouraged WC Claim-Filing Get Jail Time, Fines

[12/31/07] 10% Budget Cuts for WCAB, Other Agencies, Still Probable

[12/31/07] DWC Site Answers Questions About Electronic Filing Changes

[12/31/07] ACOEM Blasted in International Medical Journal

January 2008

[01/07/08] Feds OK Visa for Illegal Worker's WC Claim

[01/07/08] DWC Drafts Regs for Increased Post-Surgery PT Visits

[01/14/08] State Sues 2 SoCal Companies for Misclassifying Workers

[01/14/08] Man Who Threatened WCJ's Gets Another 6 Years

[01/14/08] Ins. Dept: SCIF Wasted Millions

[01/21/08] Feb. Seminar in Florida Will Debate All Editions of AMA Guides

[01/21/08] Latest Stats on State's Med. Mal. Laws

[01/21/08] Pomona WC Atty Killed Wife, Self

[01/21/08] DWC's New 2008 Audit Standards Posted

[01/21/08] Kern County Pipeline WC Case Morphs Into Big PI

[01/21/08] Steven Jimenez, Former WC Section Chairman, Dead at 52

[01/28/08] Prime Employment Law Issue for 2008: Employee Breaks

[01/28/08] LAPD Detective Caught Protecting Celebs While on WC Leave

[01/28/08] Backlog of Soc. Sec. Appeals Grows Worse

[01/28/08] Retroactivity Bill for Infectious Disease Presumption Proceeds

[01/28/08] Employers Expecting Good Year for WC Premiums

[01/28/08] Prelim Underway for Major WC Fraud Case in Salinas

[01/28/08] Liberty Mutual Nearly Doubles Its MPN Pool

[01/28/08] State Fund Offers Premium Credits to NoCal Storm Victims

February 2008

[02/04/08] Revised DWC Benefit Notices Approved

[02/04/08] QME Regs Posted (All 113 Pages)

[02/04/08] ACOEM's New Chapter on Chronic Back Pain

[02/04/08] New Bill Would Permit Doc Assistants in Fed WC Cases

[02/04/08] Illegal, Deported Worker Gets WC Settlement

[02/04/08] Proposed Budget Spares the DIR (All Things Considered)

[02/04/08] 6th Edition of AMA Guides Now Available!

[02/04/08] New Ethics Regs for Workers' Comp Judges Proposed

[02/04/08] Abuse of Family Leave Act May Mean Changes

[02/04/08] DWC's Online Databases Are DOWN (Use These Work-Arounds)

[02/11/08] New Threats Face WC Carriers in 2008

[02/11/08] First Vietnamese WCJ Sworn In at Anaheim WCAB

[02/11/08] Governor Fills 3 WCAB Commissioner Vacancies

[02/18/08] Zenith's Profits Shrink as Rates Fall, Competition Grows

[02/18/08] Bill Re-Making State Fund Set for Hearing Wednesday

[02/18/08] Medicare Related Changes Posted to Med Fee Schedule

[02/18/08] Latest Soc. Sec. Series: Multiple Sclerosis

[02/18/08] Current C&R Language Violates New Notary Laws

[02/18/08] DWC Reorganizing Medical Treatment Schedule

[02/18/08] WCJ Delaterre Reappointed to Ethics Comm.

[02/18/08] Depressed Workers: Major Disability Cost

[02/18/08] News Flash: Vast Majority of WC Claims Legit!

[02/18/08] Bill Giving Employers Right to WC Med Files Dies

[02/25/08] Latest Labor Violation Target: Bay Area Pallet Makers

March 2008

[03/03/08] New Bill Introduced to Modify SB 899 Apportionment

[03/03/08] Doctors' Confidential Drug Abuse Program Set to End

[03/03/08] Proposed Amendment to Apportionment Law Getting Heavy Press

[03/03/08] SCIF's Top Execs Testify at Senate Hearing on Rebuilding Efforts

[03/03/08] QME Proposed Regs: Testimony From Latest Hearings

[03/03/08] Stricter QME Regulations Demanded by Insurance Group

[03/03/08] Annual DWC Audit Report Ranks Carrier Performance

[03/03/08] DWC Holding Public Forum Next Week on Electronic Make Over

[03/10/08] 3 Long Beach Cops Win Large Awards for City's Retaliation Tactics

[03/10/08] Does Partial Pay-Back Justify Light Sentence for Employer Fraud?

[03/10/08] Big Changes Proposed for SCIF by Senate Committee

[03/10/08] Latest Perp Walks: Clinical Psych, Chiro -- Alleged Take: $400K+

[03/10/08] Only 1 of 2 Breasts Covered in Out of State WC Case

[03/10/08] Another Potential Class Action Suit Filed Against SCIF

[03/10/08] Agriculture Industry Latest Target for Labor Violations Sweep

[03/17/08] State Fund Gets New Vice-President

[03/17/08] QME Exam Deadline Approaching (3/13)

[03/17/08] Is Congress's Proposed "Fix" of the ADA Overkill?

[03/17/08] Long Beach Becomes 1st Cal City With 'Carve Out' WC Plan

[03/17/08] WC Section Conference Starts Next Month

[03/17/08] Attacks on Apportionment Statute Mount

[03/17/08] CA WC Law Ahead of Curve on Same-Sex Marriage Issues!

[03/24/08] Life Sentence Possible for CA Man Convicted of Massive WC Fraud

[03/24/08] Sign Up Here for 2008 WCIRB Seminars

[03/24/08] Labor Investigators Hit Garment Industry Up and Down State

[03/24/08] Celebrity Fined for No Workers' Comp Insurance

[03/24/08] Over 5 Mil Awarded in L.A. Immigrant Workers' Labor Dispute

[03/24/08] More Specifics on WCJ Proposed Ethics Changes

[03/24/08] New Study: TD Pay-Outs Way Down

[03/24/08] New Industrially-Related Cancer Cluster for SF Park Workers?

[03/24/08] Reporter Kicked Out of CIGA Meeting, Huge Overpayments Alleged

[03/24/08] Changes in Family Leave Act Signed Into Law

[03/24/08] Bill Amending Apportionment Law Closer to Passage

[03/31/08] As Computer Use Increases, Computer-Injuries Aren't!

[03/31/08] Horrific Crash, 20-Year-Old Victim, 'Dysfunctional' WC System

April 2008

[04/07/08] First Test at Inputting Law Firm Info for EAMS Doesn't Work

[04/07/08] Police Officer Convicted on 9 WC Fraud Counts

[04/07/08] Garment, Spa, Beauty Businesses Hit for Labor Violations

[04/07/08] Forbes Reports on California's Huge WC Cost Savings

[04/07/08] Notice to Carriers: New MPN & Benefit Notices Req'd Next Month!

[04/07/08] Why Can't Inmates Pick Up Trash Along Some Highways? No WC!

[04/07/08] Widespread Labor Violations Uncovered at SoCal Car Washes

[04/07/08] Bill Allowing SCIF to Enter Reinsurance Market Moves Forward

[04/07/08] New Soc. Sec. Installment: Back Disabilities

[04/07/08] Job Discrimination Complaints Rising Among Private Employers

[04/14/08] Legislation Reinforces Need for Medicare Set-Asides in PI Cases

[04/14/08] Watch Riveting Racial Testimony at Recent SB 1115 Hearing

[04/14/08] Conference Update on Electronic Management System

[04/14/08] Big Unions Organizing Car Washers After Worker Abuses Found

[04/14/08] Faked Basketball Injury Leads to WC Fraud and Jail

[04/14/08] Is Night Shift Work Inherently More Dangerous?

[04/21/08] Warning: All WC Attorneys Need to Update by 4/11/08!!

[04/21/08] Governor Appoints Former WCJ to Inspector General Post

[04/28/08] Court Still Undecided on Review Grant for Benson Case

[04/28/08] Annual Report Posted on Alternative Dispute Resolution, Carve Outs

[04/28/08] WC Carriers Blamed For Overloading Social Security

[04/28/08] New Report Shows 2008 Carrier Expenses Rising

[04/28/08] Report: 4 Special Disability Funds Overwhelmed

[04/28/08] DWC Posts Samples and Manual of Revised Benefit Notices

[04/28/08] Carrie Nevans Confirmation Hearing Coming Soon

[04/28/08] CIGA "Transparency" Bill Another Step Closer to Passage

[04/28/08] New Soc. Sec. Installment: Tips on Filling Out Forms

[04/28/08] Sacramento Columnist Slams Chiro Board, Governor

[04/28/08] WCIRB Recommends NO WC Rate Increases for Rest of Year

[04/28/08] Bill to Regulate WC Rates Twisting in Breeze

May 2008

[05/05/08]