Today we are offering something different. Instead of a blog focused on a singular workers’ compensation topic, we’re offering up four true claims stories, each of which we believe will either elicit a smile or a knowing nod of the head from you, our dear readers. Up in Smoke: On his very first day at …
True Claim Stories: A Sixty-Second Seminar in Workers’ Compensation Claims HandlingRead More
As strange as it may seem, the rules under California’s workers’ compensation act pertaining to “first aid injuries” are becoming more and more complex. Instinctively thought of as minor injuries which could be handled directly by the employer without the necessity of reporting an injury to their workers’ compensation insurer or requiring formal claims administration, …
First Aid: A Sixty-Second Seminar in Workers’ Compensation Claims HandlingRead More
At a recent WCAB hearing, a judge was asked to approve a petition for commutation to enable an applicant to pay off a large credit card debt that was accruing interest at an annual rate of 22%. The applicant testified he could never get financially ahead in life as the interest charges alone were greater than …
Commutations: A Sixty-Second Seminar in Workers’ Compensation Claims HandlingRead More
Today’s blog is all about surveillance. Many employers and claims administrators tend to rely on surveillance as a last resort to disprove the existence of an industrial injury/disability, or perhaps to determine if a claimant is employed elsewhere while collecting compensation benefits. Before assigning an investigation, it is important for the claims administrator to develop …
Surveillance: A Sixty-Second Seminar in Workers’ Compensation Claims HandlingRead More
In today’s world of workers’ compensation, it is a most welcome and common occurrence for nurses to be engaged to assist and participate in the adjustment of industrial claims; however, most claims professionals are unaware there are six (6) different types of nurses available in workers’ compensation, each of which has a different but vital …
Pursuant to Labor Code Section 5710, an applicant attorney is allowed to charge an hourly fee when representing an applicant at their deposition in a workers’ compensation case. Unfortunately, we do not have a fee schedule which provides guidance as to how much to an applicant attorney is to be paid for deposition services. In …
LC 5710 Attorney Fees: A Sixty-Second Seminar in Workers’ Compensation Claims HandlingRead More
When multiple employers or insurance companies share liability for an industrial injury, the injured worker is allowed to choose which of those defendants they want to administer the benefits they are entitled to receive. The elected entity then handles the entire claim subject to their right to seek contribution from the other defendants. Having written …
Petition for Contribution: A Sixty-Second Seminar in Workers’ Compensation Claims HandlingRead More
For injuries occurring on or after January 1, 2004, Labor Code Section 4604.5(c)(1) limits an applicant to twenty-four (24) chiropractic, physical therapy, and occupational therapy treatments. There are; however, three exceptions that allow for additional visits, defined as follows: a. When the injury occurs prior to 1/1/2004,b. When an exception is authorized in writing by …
The 24-Visit Cap: A Sixty-Second Seminar in Workers’ Compensation Claims HandlingRead More
