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September 2011

[09-12-11] Former San Francisco Presiding Judge Appointed New WCAB Head

[09-12-11] New Regs Proposed for the Disabled Appearing at the WCAB

[09-12-11] WCAB Proposes New Lien Rules — Which Should Reduce Filings

[09-12-11] California Labor Commissioner Announces Online Payment System

[09-12-11] Is Workers Comp 'Next Big Thing' on State's Agenda?

[09-12-11] Study Shows Doctors Ignore Prescribing Guidelines for Opiods

[09-12-11] New Phone App Will Help Monitor Heat-Related Work Injuries

[09-12-11] Does New Ogilvie Opinion Resurrect LeBoeuf?

[09-12-11] Insurance Dept. Announces New System for Transparent WC Premiums

[09-12-11] Anna Nicole Smith's Shrink Now Accused of Fake WC Billing

[09-12-11] New Head of DWC Appointed!

August 2011

[08-01-11] New QME Regulations Proposed

[08-01-11] Bill Would Allow SCIF to Insure Out-of-State Workers

[08-01-11] 2 Doctors, Indicted in $17 Million Workers Comp Fraud

[08-01-11] Insurers' Own Expenses Consume 35%+ of WC Insurance Payout

[08-01-11] Police Officer Pleads Out in WC Fraud Case

[08-01-11] CAAA Objects to SCIF's Compound Doctor Drug Demand

[08-01-11] Building Contractor Pleads Guilty to Mis-Classifying Workers

[08-01-11] Maximum TD Rates Now Set for 2011

[08-01-11] Division of Workers' Compensation Launches JET File System

[08-01-11] Should Labor Code Be Amended Regarding NFL Claims?

[08-01-11] Why Big WC Cases Are Not Settling: Medicare Set-Asides

[08-01-11] Arrest Shows Ramped-Up Focus on WC Fraud

[08-15-11] The Debate Over Whether to Adopt 6th Edition of AMA Guides

[08-15-11] Legislation Advances on Changes to Federal Workers Comp System

[08-15-11] Rehab Plan for WC Carrier Majestic Insurance Now Final

[08-15-11] New Medical Mileage Rates Begin This Month!

[08-15-11] Should the Physician Medical Fee Schedule Be Changed?

[08-15-11] Hearing Loss Disabilities Under Federal Longshore Act

[08-15-11] What Do We Do With the Unemployment Insurance Fund?

[08-15-11] Reminder: State Bar's Workers Comp Boot Camp Is This Month!

[08-15-11] New Report Out on 'Shortcomings' of EAMS

July 2011

[07-18-11] Psychologist Arrested on WC Fraud Charges

[07-18-11] Blackwater Workers File Class Action While in War Zones

[07-18-11] St. Paul Fire & Marine Sues Denver Broncos

[07-18-11] Search Warrants for Lawyer, WC Doc Linked to Murder

[07-18-11] Baby-Boomers Won't Strain Workers Comp

[07-18-11] Cal/OSHA Enforcing Heat Illness Prevention

[07-18-11] Massive Data Breach of WC Recipients Announced

[07-18-11] Missing National Drug Codes Restored on DWC's Calculator

[07-18-11] Cal/OSHA Standards Board May Be Safe After All

[07-18-11] Handling Out-of-Network Physician Reports

[07-18-11] Oxnard WCAB to Help L.A. Board With Liens

[07-18-11] 2012 TD Rate Will Break $1,000/Wk Mark

[07-18-11] State Bar Offers 40 Sessions at 2011 Summit

[07-18-11] Getting Medicare-Set-Asides Approved

[07-18-11] Sedgwick Takes Over Cambridge Integrated Services

June 2011

[06-06-11] Applicants' Attorneys: A Noble Profession

[06-06-11] Ogilvie Update: Articles, Checklists, Samples for Expert

[06-06-11] Workers' Comp Legal Specialization Boot Camp 2011 Coming Soon!

[06-06-11] Liberty Mutual Alleges Massive WC Premium Underreporting by AIG

[06-06-11] Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Arbitrations

[06-06-11] Significant Panel Decisions – What They Are and the Most Recent One

[06-06-11] Official Announcement for Mainstay Insureds From Dept of Ind. Relations

[06-06-11] Workers Comp Bills Advance Through Committees

[06-06-11] WCIRB Report On Fourth Quarter 2010 Insurer Results Released

[06-06-11] Majestic Insurance Seized by Dept. of Insurance

[06-06-11] Old Public Search Tool Replaced by DWC

[06-06-11] Last of 2011 Spring Workers Comp Conferences Set for May 14th

[06-06-11] CWCI Opioid Study - Part II Shows Fentanyl Abuse

[06-06-11] Major Employee Leasing Company Shut Down by EDD

[06-13-11] Mobile Devices Increasing Exposure to WC Liability

[06-13-11] Workers Comp Bills Move Closer to Passage

[06-13-11] Follow-Up on Former Councilwoman's WC Fraud Case: Sentencing

[06-27-11] Cal/OSHA Referral Following Fatality Results in Employer's Manslaughter Conviction

[06-27-11] Contractor Fined $235,000+, Possible Criminal Action Considered

[06-27-11] The New Lien Claim Regulations (by WCJ Colleen Casey)

[06-27-11] L.A. Business Owner Accused of $1 Million WC and Unemployment Fraud

[06-27-11] Latest List of 'Job Killer' Bills Posted

[06-27-11] Will New State Budge Decimate Cal/OSHA?

[06-27-11] Orange County Couple Charged in $2 Million Fraud Case

[06-27-11] Will State Unemployment Board Get Pink Slip?

[06-27-11] UC Davis Contractor Arrested on WC Premium Fraud Charges

[06-27-11] A Primer on Third-Party Cases

[06-27-11] WCIRB Re-Thinks Huge Premium Request

[06-27-11] Increased WC Injuries May Be New Breed of Claims

[06-27-11] Judge Requests Criminal Probe of CNA for Iraqi Death Benefits Cases

[06-27-11] Insurance Commissioner Appoints New Deputy Insurance Commissioner

[06-27-11] Common Painkillers Linked to Increased Heart Risk

May 2011

[05-23-11] Net Worth of California's WC Carriers Declining

[05-23-11] DWC Fixes Online Drug Pricing Calculator

[05-23-11] LeBoeuf Awards and the AMA Guides

[05-23-11] Article Claims WCIRB May Request 40% WC Rate Increase

[05-23-11] Electronic Medical Treatment Billing Regulations Approved By OAL

[05-23-11] Bay Area Business Owners Sentenced on Multiple WC / Insurance Fraud Counts

[05-23-11] OSHA Issues Hazard Alert to Hair Salons Nationwide

[05-23-11] WCIRB Expands Access to Information Available Online

[05-23-11] WCIRB Opts NOT to Recommend 40% WC Rate Hike

[05-23-11] More Action (But Not By Court) on Ogilvie Case

[05-23-11] DWC Says No More Pre-August 2010 OCR Forms

[05-23-11] Verifications Now Required for Lien Claimants

[05-02-11] Interview With New WC Labor and Workforce Development Chief

[05-02-11] DIR Starts State's 1st Green Apprenticeship Occupation

[05-02-11] How to Fire an Employee: An Employer's Checklist

[05-02-11] Nurses and Workplace Violence

[05-02-11] DWC Readies Launch of New Electronic Filing Method JET File

[05-02-11] WCIRB Elects New Committee Members

[05-02-11] CalChamber Releases 2011 'Business Climate' Study

[05-02-11] DIR Debars, Fines Marin Contractor for Public Works Violations

[05-02-11] Workers Comp Doctors Prescribing HALF of All Narcotic Drugs

[05-02-11] New Brown Appointee Hints of Changes for DIR

[05-02-11] Special Master Appointed to Help Manage 9/11 Workers' Fund

[05-02-11] Governor Appoints Two to Prime Workers Comp Positions

[05-02-11] What is Privileged In Workers' Compensation Discovery?

[05-02-11] Former Tristar WC Examiners and Wives Plead Guilty

[05-02-11] New Study Tracks Big Increases in State's WC Med Expenses

April 2011

[04-11-11] California Ranked Poor for Business-Friendliness by U.S. Chamber

[04-11-11] Online Scams Against Attorneys Gets New State Bar Warning

[04-11-11] Lien Collection Seminar Set for L.A. in March

[04-11-11] 'Disabled' Public Employee Caught Running 7-Mile Marathon

[04-11-11] Governor Makes Tentative Deal With State Attys, Judges on Furloughs

[04-11-11] Not Enough Workers Comp? How 'Bout a Sitcom?

[04-11-11] ACOEM Releases New Position Paper on Mold (Same Old, Same Old?)

[04-11-11] SCIF Investigation Ends With a Whimper

March 2011

[03-07-11] 3rd Set of Changes Posted for Proposed Medical Billing Regs

[03-07-11] Construction Company Head Gets 1-Year Sentence, $1.5 Mil Restitution

[03-21-11] Financial Woes Continue for AIG's WC Subsidiaries

[03-21-11] QME Applications Now Being Accepted for April Exam Date

[03-21-11] Recommended Guides for WC Depo Fees

[03-21-11] Bill Introduced to Stop Fed WC Benefits When Employee Turns 65

[03-21-11] Los Angeles WCAB Launches 'Electronic Billboard'

[03-21-11] New Changes to Proposed Paper & Electronic Med Billing Regs

[03-21-11] Atty Fees in Longshore Cases: Reasonable Hourly Rate

[03-21-11] Recovering Pharmaceutical Liens: New Disclosure Requirements

[03-28-11] Major Federal Crackdown on Medicare Fraud Snares 111 Nationwide

[03-28-11] No-Nicotine Hiring Policies: The Next Step Toward Lower Healthcare Costs?

[03-28-11] Study Guide: Total Permanent Disability Under Labor Code Section 4662

[03-28-11] The Do's and Don't's of Employee Handbooks

[03-28-11] NoCal Councilwoman Pleads Out in WC Fraud Case, Will Leave Office

[03-28-11] DWC Announces 2011 Community Service Award Winners

[03-28-11] Spinal Fusions: Poor Results Found Among Most Injured Workers

[03-28-11] DWC Posts Updated Utilization Review Questions and Answers

[03-28-11] Resolution of Workers' Compensation Cases Through Mediation

[03-28-11] Spring WC Conference Almost Here

[03-28-11] Erectile Dysfunction in Workers' Compensation Claims

[03-28-11] 3 Tips for Staying 'EAMS-Compliant' When Serving Documents

February 2011

[02-07-11] AIG to Pay $450 Million Settlement to Workers Comp Competitors

[02-07-11] New Study on Aging Workforce and Workplace Safety

[02-07-11] Unemployment Board Targeted, But What About Other Boards?

[02-07-11] Board Chairman Appointed to Head SCIF, New Board Member Also Picked

[02-07-11] DWC Launches New Online Research Tool to Keep Cases Moving

[02-07-11] New Electronic Medical Billing Regs Now Open for Comment

[02-07-11] Lien Study Generates Many Comments

[02-07-11] The Official 'State of the Workers Comp System'

[02-07-11] NFL Players and Back Surgery: How Disabled Are They?

[02-07-11] Palm Springs Doctor Convicted of WC Fraud, Faking Attack

[02-14-11] Overview of Legal Considerations for Temporary Workers

[02-14-11] New RAND Study Finds PD Benefits Woefully Lacking As Earnings Replacement

[02-14-11] Despite Fewer Claims, Municipalities See Increased WC Costs

[02-14-11] Contractors Board Targeting Uninsured Builders, Owners and Contractors

[02-14-11] Another State High Court's Surprising Ruling on Tribal Work Injuries

[02-14-11] Business Owners Arrested for $15 Million WC Fraud Against Redwood & SCIF

[02-21-11] New Brown Budget Includes Increases in WC Related Funding

[02-21-11] WC Structured Settlements: Why and When

[02-21-11] More Problems Surface with Self-Insured Groups

[02-21-11] The Impact of New Cal/OSHA Law for Serious Violations

[02-21-11] CAAA Announces Formal Alliance With Teamsters

[02-21-11] Insurance Carrier's Take on 'Lien Report'

[02-21-11] L.A. Jury Awards Railroad Worker $4.9 Million From Employer

[02-21-11] CHSWC Releases Report on Compound Drugs, Med Foods and Co-Packs

[02-21-11] Breaking News: AD Carrie Nevans Dead at 53

[02-21-11] New Legislation Introduced for Pot Users at Work

[02-28-11] New Sting Targets Small-Town Contractors Violating Labor Laws

[02-28-11] New Study Shows Heroin Use Way Up Among Workers

[02-28-11] DWC Issues Optional 'New Hire' Pamphlet for Claims Examiners

[02-28-11] Serious and Willful versus Third Part Liability

[02-28-11] Audit Unit and Ethics Committee Annual Reports

January 2011

[01-03-11] Former DWC Director Appointed to Appeals Court

[01-03-11] Using MediCare Set-Aside Proceeds for Attorneys Fees

[01-03-11] Should California Business Be Worried About Our New Governor?

[01-03-11] Proposed Regs on WCAB Disability Accommodations Posted for Comment

[01-03-11] Why Has Criminal Probe of State Fund Faded Away?

[01-03-11] Does OSHA Really Help Workers?

[01-03-11] 6 People Indicted in Multi-State Internet Scam Targeting Attorneys

[01-03-11] DWC Makes 4 Appointments to WC Ethics Advisory Committee

[01-03-11] New Fact Sheets for Injured Workers Posted by the DWC

[01-03-11] Court Affirms Lengthy Sentence in Murder of Applicant Attorney

[01-03-11] Updated Regs on Reporting Medical Data by Employers Take Effect Nov. 2011

[01-10-11] Why Worry About DWC Rulemaking? – the New DWC Form

[01-10-11] L.A. WCAB Withdrawing Intent to Consolidate Durable Med Equip. Liens

[01-10-11] Are Higher Atty Fees Justified When PD Cost-of-Living Adjustments

[01-10-11] State Fund Cutting Back Operations

[01-10-11] New CHSWC Report Calls Lien System 'Dysfunctional'

[01-17-11] Applicant's Murder Threats Bring SWAT Team to SD WCAB

[01-17-11] DWC Posts Update to New Worker Fact Sheets

[01-17-11] New Medical Mileage Form Now Ready for Downloading

[01-17-11] Most Influential People in Workers Comp for 2010

[01-17-11] Latest Interpreter Liens Consolidation Hearing in L.A.

[01-17-11] An Analysis of Blackledge – Doctors, Judges, Raters

[01-24-11] Congress Takes Rare Look at State Workers Comp Systems, AMA Guides

[01-24-11] Labor Unions, Employer & Carriers Find Common Enemy

[01-24-11] New Laws in 2011 Affecting Employers

[01-24-11] DWC Orders 3 More Sets of Changes in Medical Fee Schedule

[01-24-11] DIR Highlights New Labor Laws for New Year

[01-24-11] Are There Too Many Fusion Surgeries?

[01-24-11] Disciplined QME Physicians: Latest Updated

[01-24-11] Top 10 Workers Compensation Events in 2011

[01-24-11] Everything You Ever Need to Know About MPN Rules

[01-31-11] Outgoing Ins. Commissioner Urges New Gov. to Protect Workers Comp

December 2010

[12-06-10] 2nd Hearing Held in L.A. on Compound Drug Liens

[12-06-10] Two Newly-Signed Bills Expand Benefits for Public Safety Officers

[12-06-10] Work Injuries Decline in State, Along With Employment Rate

[12-06-10] Sacramento WC Doctor Going to Trial on Rape Charges

[12-06-10] Defending Against Guzman: A Primer on Strategies

[12-06-10] Brothers Arraigned in Bogus Scheme to 'Transport' Postal Workers to 'Exams'

[12-06-10] OSHA Seeks Huge Fines Against Postal Service, Demands Nationwide Remedy

[12-06-10] SCIF Allowing Brokers, Raising Rates

[12-06-10] DWC Launches Lien Pleadings Web Page

[12-20-10] New Medical Mileage Rates Begin January 2011

[12-20-10] One Perspective of the Governor's Workers Comp 'Legacy'

[12-20-10] Employee vs. Ind. Contr: New Fed and State Legislation

[12-20-10] WCIRB's Rate Increase Rejected by Outgoing Ins. Commissioner

[12-20-10] Nominate Your Choice for DWC's Community Service Award

[12-20-10] California 5th Highest in WC Insurance Costs Nationwide

[12-20-10] Self Insured Group Defaults, State Picks Up Benefits

[12-20-10] Liberty Mutual Head Calls WC Insurance Policies 'Time Bombs'

[12-20-10] CA Construction Apprentices Prepped for Green Projects

[12-20-10] Register Now for DWC's 18th Educational Conferences

[12-20-10] SCIF Board Listens to Plea from Broker in Cumbre Case

November 2010

[11-01-10] Latest Word on the L.A. Board's Consolidation Hearing for Compound Drug Liens

[11-01-10] Public Meeting Set for New Safety Concerns in State's Adult Film Business

[11-01-10] New Workers Comp Poster, Claim Form, Notice Available Here!

[11-01-10] State Warns Injured Workers That Payments From Two Benefit Funds May Stop

[11-01-10] DWC Posts New FAQ's and Samples for MPN's, Forms & Notices

[11-01-10] This Year's Awards for Workers' Comp and Pro Bono Work Announced

[11-01-10] Next Year's Max TD Rate Not Budging (Again)

[11-01-10] Cal/OSHA Enforcement Strengthened With Signing of New Law

[11-01-10] Is Cal/OSHA Falling Apart?

[11-08-10] Big Business and Proposition 19 (the Pot Initiative)

[11-08-10] EDD Begins Increased Enforcement of Lien Interest and Penalties

[11-08-10] Enforcement of Appeals Board Rule 10629 (Listing of Exhibits)

[11-08-10] Recommendations for Making WCIRB's Rate Studies More Accurate

[11-08-10] DIR Offers New Rules to Better Regulate Self Insured Groups

[11-08-10] Special: Overcoming 'Stray Remarks' in Employer Bias Trials

[11-08-10] Special: Prevailing on Good Faith Personnel Actions

[11-08-10] 2 More Classes of Liens Consolidated for Hearing at L.A. WCAB

[11-08-10] New DWC Draft Regs Include Limits on QME Office Locations

[11-08-10] National Workers Comp Conference Set for This Month in Las Vegas

[11-22-10] What Might WC Community Expect From Jerry Brown?

[11-22-10] Watch Interviews With Both Insurance Commissioner Candidates

[11-22-10] Governor Vetoes Slew of Labor & Consumer Related Bills

[11-22-10] Scary Times for Workers Comp in California

[11-22-10] Statewide Stings Against Unlicensed Contractors

[11-22-10] WC Insurance Rates Up Slightly for First Half of Year

[11-22-10] Last Defendant in AIG Fraud Case Gets 12 Years Prison

[11-22-10] L.A. WCAB Holds Consolidation Hearing on Interpreter Liens

[11-22-10] Dave Jones, Newly-Elected Insurance Commissioner

[11-22-10] Cal/OSHA Begins Updated Heat Safety Regs

[11-29-10] 70% of CA Businesses NOT Complying With New Poster Law

[11-29-10] EDD Is Broke, So How Do We Save It?

October 2010

[10-04-10] Report Shows WC Med Payments Higher Than Workers' Payments

[10-04-10] More on Los Angeles Consolidation Hearing for Compound Drug Liens

[10-04-10] Two WC Bills Ready for Governor's Signature

[10-04-10] L.A. WCAB Issues Special Notice on Drug Liens

[10-04-10] New Booklet Available for Employers on MPN's and Upcoming WC Regs

[10-04-10] Employer 'Wage Theft' Much Higher in Bay Area Than Reported Nationwide

[10-04-10] Are Compound Drug Therapies Just a Revenue Source for Doctors?

[10-11-10] Is Washington State's Non-Profit Workers Comp System the Way to Go?

[10-11-10] Latest Labor Law Enforcement Efforts Target Restaurant Industry

[10-11-10] Veteran LAPD Officer Busted for WC Fraud

[10-11-10] Self-Insured Workers Comp Claims Down 11%, But Amount Per Claim Up

[10-11-10] WCIRB Requests Huge Rate Increase, as SCIF Basks in Huge Profits

[10-11-10] Employers Can Order New MPN/Benefit Notice Packets From CWCI

[10-11-10] WC Patients Fare Worse With Lumbar Fusions Than Non-WC Patients

[10-11-10] Governor Vetoes 2 Major Workers Comp Bills, Signs Another

[10-11-10] Budget Resolution? Furloughs' Legality? WCAB Building For Sale?

[10-11-10] EAMS E-Filing Soon To Be Mandatory!

[10-18-10] Revised Utilization Review Rules Ready for Public Comment

[10-25-10] Second LAPD Officer in Two Weeks Arrested for WC Fraud

[10-25-10] Public Meeting Set for New Safety Concerns in State's Adult Film Business

[10-25-10] Tristar Adjusters Arrested for Million-Dollar WC Fraud

[10-25-10] Jury Convicts in Compton WC Overbilling Scheme

[10-25-10] Huge Errors Found Between AMA Guides & Actual Ratings

September 2010

[09-07-10] More Changes Made to Proposed WC Information System Regs

[09-07-10] Everyone Agrees: Current WC Benefits Notices Suck!

[09-07-10] How to Tell When WC Reform Is Coming (Hint: Soon?)

[09-07-10] Are WC Ins. Costs Really Lower Than 10 Years Ago?

[09-07-10] Furloughs: DTja Vu, All Over Again...

[09-07-10] Self-Insured Groups Growing in Popularity Among Small Business

[09-07-10] DWC Medical Unit Says QME Panel Request Backlog Is Over!

[09-07-10] New Heat Safety Regulations Adopted, Take Effect Next Month

[09-07-10] WCIRB Recommends 30% Comp Rate Increase, Governor Says NO!

[09-07-10] Friday Furloughs Back, But Not for All State Workers

[09-13-10] DWC Makes Changes in EAMS Forms

[09-13-10] Now Featured at a Screen Near You: New Video on OCR Filing

[09-13-10] Happy Birthday to EAMS... Happy Birthday to EAMS...

[09-13-10] CA Labor Commissioner Wins Settlement for Janitors

[09-13-10] Sign Up for Annual State Bar Conference (& WC Courses) NOW!

[09-13-10] Workplace Grief Counselors Needed for State Worker Suicides

[09-13-10] Latest CWIRB Report Shows WC Carriers Losing Money

[09-13-10] When to Terminate WC Benefits, a Defense Perspective

[09-13-10] Couple Accused of Forging WC Docs, Failing to Cover Employees

[09-20-10] New Benefit Notice Regs Proposed, Ready for Comment

[09-20-10] DWC Unveils New EAMS Web Site Tools

[09-20-10] Huge Increase in 'Compound' Drug Prescriptions Within WC System

[09-20-10] Manager Pleads Guilty to 5 Million Dollar WC Fraud Scheme

[09-20-10] New CHSWC Booklet Promotes 'Wellness' With Workplace Safety

[09-20-10] Beware: New MPN Regulations Take Effect in October

[09-20-10] Are You Ready for a 2004 Workers Comp Reform Redux?

[09-20-10] Is QME Process 'Fair and Efficient'? Comments Welcome

August 2010

[08-02-10] Latest Documents on Governor's Push to Cut State Workers' Wages

[08-02-10] The Pitfalls of Unpaid Internships for Employers

[08-02-10] OSHA Files First-Ever Nationwide Safety Complaint Against USPS

[08-02-10] 2009 Lousy Underwriting Year for Workers Comp Carriers

[08-02-10] CHSWC Looks at QME Delays in Latest Report

[08-02-10] Report on Effectiveness of Benefit Notices Released

[08-09-10] Governor Signs Public Employee Bill to Include San Francisco Workers

[08-09-10] State Workers Get 2-Month Reprieve for Full Pay

[08-09-10] State Compensation Insurance Fund Gets New Prez / CEO

[08-09-10] DWC Posts Another Revised Draft Physician Fee Schedule

[08-09-10] DWC Files Amendment to Ambulance Fee Schedule

[08-09-10] QME in News Regarding Employee's Murder Arrest Sues Website for Libel

[08-09-10] Allstate Sues 18 Central CA Doctors, Chiros, Claiming Fake Medical Clinics

[08-09-10] Labor Commissioner Gets $2 Mil in Wages for San Diego Construction Workers

[08-09-10] Are California Indian Tribes Ripping Off Workers (and the State)?

[08-23-10] Where Has All the Money Gone? Profits From 2004 'Reforms'

[08-23-10] Chamber of Commerce Opposes CA-Licensed UR Doctors

[08-23-10] Big Increases in WC Premiums -- Carriers Losing Billions?

[08-23-10] Everything You Wanted to Know About 'Experience-Rating'

[08-23-10] Physician Fee Schedule Issues Subject of 'Stakeholder Meeting'

[08-23-10] New Study Doesn't Bode Well for Availability of California Doctors

[08-23-10] Bad Times Mean More Work for Employment Lawyers

[08-23-10] Does WCIRB Violate Insurance Dept. Agreement?

[08-23-10] New Rules Proposed for Outpatient & Surgical Center Fees

July 2010

[07-06-10] Latest Study Shows TD Costs, Periods Still Down

[07-06-10] Latest Revisions Issued for Proposed MPN's and Employee Info Rules

[07-06-10] CMS Clarifies Guidance on Rated Age Language for WCMSA Proposals

[07-06-10] Man Arrested for Allegedly Faking Injuries, Receiving $400,000+ in WC Benefits

[07-06-10] Hartford Class Action Settlement Approved for Fraudulent Claims Practices

[07-06-10] Medical Licenses Returned to 66 Convicted Felons by Cal Medical Board

[07-06-10] Major Jail Time Awaits Man for $1.5 Million WC Lien Fraud Scam

[07-06-10] Bill Extending Presumptive Injuries Passes Assembly

[07-12-10] L.A. Murder Case Focuses on Los Angeles QME and Employee

[07-12-10] Labor Comm. Wins $4 Million Judgment for Janitors

[07-12-10] Atty Involvement in CA's 'No-Fault' WC System Up

[07-12-10] New Language in WC Set-Asides, Clarifies Off-Label Drugs

[07-12-10] Largest Managed Care Firm's Loss Could Have National Impact

[07-26-10] DWC Announces New Lien Procedures for L.A. Lien Unit

[07-26-10] No Changes to 2011 TD & PD Rates!

[07-26-10] $30 Million in Grants Awarded to Fight WC Fraud

[07-26-10] New Lien Study Analyzes Fees, Types, & Disputes

[07-26-10] AIG's RICO Case Given the Go-Ahead by Fed Court

[07-26-10] Labor Dept. Clarifies 'Son and Daughter' in Family Leave Act

[07-26-10] State (& CIGA) Get $529 Mil From Superior National's Guarantor

[07-26-10] DWC Encourages External Users to Become E-Form Filers

[07-26-10] Two New QME Request Forms Now Available

[07-26-10] QME's Assets Frozen in Murder Investigation

[07-26-10] Cal/OSHA Shuts Down 2 Farm Sites Over Heat Violations

June 2010

[06-14-10] Jury Awards $19 Mil Against Defendants Who Defrauded CA WC Carrier

[06-14-10] Latest Study Shows WC Medical Costs Went Down After 2004, Now Back Up

[06-14-10] Former San Francisco WC Claims Examiner Arrested for "Gifting" Public Funds

[06-14-10] CA Supreme: Furlough Case Granted Review by High Court

[06-14-10] DWC Reviewing Proposed Physician Fee Schedule

[06-14-10] Big Fight Brewing Over New WC Presumption Bill & Other 'Job-Killers'

[06-28-10] Senate Committee Demands DWC Take Action on New Rating Schedule

[06-28-10] SPECIAL: Employment Disability and the Interactive Process

[06-28-10] Proposed Regs Give Hospitals Payment Choices for Complex Spinal Surgeries

[06-28-10] Solano County Deputy Sheriff Arrested for Workers' Comp Fraud

[06-28-10] Stabbed WC Atty Recovering, System Frustrations Blamed for Increased Violence

[06-28-10] Labor Commissioner Issues $1.5 Million in Penalties to Davis Contractor

[06-28-10] DWC Issues Notice of Proposed WC Information System Regs

[06-28-10] Former Dept. of Corrections Employee Convicted of Workers' Comp Fraud

[06-28-10] Salinas Chiropractor Arrested for Workers' Comp Fraud

May 2010

[05-03-10] Legislature Leadership Demands Action From DWC on New PDRS

[05-03-10] EAMS Review: E-Forms, Rating Requests, Filing Issues

[05-03-10] New DWC E-Billing Forms for Med Treatment

[05-03-10] State Bar WC Section's Conference

[05-03-10] Pro Football's Connection to WC Takes Center Stage

[05-03-10] Atty General Sues Company for $500K on Behalf of Drywall Workers

[05-03-10] Grover Beach WCAB Moves to San Luis Obispo

[05-03-10] Workers' Comp Doctor Arrested for Sexual Assaults on 3 Patients

[05-10-10] Nevans Rejects Legislators Call for New PDRS

[05-10-10] Zenith Investors Lose Bid to Stop Company Takeover

[05-10-10] WCIRB Submits New WC Experience Analysis

[05-10-10] Could Common Drug Stop Spinal Injuries?

[05-10-10] Man Sentenced for Stealing Federal WC Benefits

[05-10-10] Zenith Shareholders Vote to Approve Merger With Fairfax

[05-17-10] Must Unpaid Interns Comply With State Minimum Wage Laws?

[05-17-10] Oxnard WCAB Office Moves to New Location

[05-17-10] New San Luis Obispo WCAB Office Opens, Gets 'Green' Award

[05-17-10] Conservator Appointed to Manage Self-Insured Contractors' Access Program

[05-17-10] State Lawsuit Filed Against Out-of-State Contractors for Wage Theft

[05-17-10] State Fund Announces New Underwriting Plan to Reward Certain Employers

[05-24-10] New MPN and Employee Info Regs Posted for Comments

[05-24-10] DWC Updates Med Treatment Schedule (MTUS)

[05-24-10] New Treating Doctor Forms, Regs, Fees Posted

[05-24-10] CMS to Begin Using Updated Life Tables for Medicare Set Asides

[05-24-10] Workers Comp Report Card: 6 Years of Arnold

[05-24-10] List of Facilities Using 'High Cost Outlier' Payment Method Posted

[05-24-10] Big Changes Coming to Federal Employees' Compensation Act Rules!

[05-24-10] Bakery CEO, Accountant, Arrested in Workers Comp Fraud Scheme

[05-31-10] Meeting Set for New Surgical Fee Regs

[05-31-10] Mountain View Man Arrested for Working While Receiving WC Benefits

[05-31-10] DWC Releases Its Annual Study of Access to Medical Treatment for Injured Workers

[05-31-10] Cal/OSHA Announces 3-Step Campaign to Keep Outdoor Workers Heat-Safe

[05-31-10] Labor Commissioner Issues $700,000 in Fines to Carwash Businesses

[05-31-10] Labor Commissioner Outlines Workplace Lactation Accommodation Laws

[05-31-10] SPECIAL: Proving the Sexual Harassment FEHA Case

[05-31-10] DWC Answers Questions About Discounted Med-Legal Services

[05-31-10] Roofing Business Owner Arrested for Workers' Comp Insurance Fraud

April 2010

[04-05-10] State Senator Accuses Cal/OSHA of Pro-Business Bias

[04-05-10] Informal Rating Requests: Big Violations

[04-05-10] DWC Reminder on Outpatient and Outlier Cases

[04-05-10] Cal/OSHA Investigation Gets Attention of ACLU

[04-05-10] DWC Expands Spanish-Language, I&A Outreach Programs

[04-05-10] Officer Charged With WC Fraud Over Sex Club Injury

[04-12-10] Former State Fund Chief Earned $1.6 Million During Tenure

[04-12-10] DWC Meeting with Utilization Review Stakeholders in April

[04-12-10] Increased Premiums From New WC 'Experience Ratings'?

[04-12-10] New RAND Study: Problems Causing WC Carrier Failures Remain

[04-26-10] Employer's Conspiracy to Deny WC Benefits Results in Guilty Plea

[04-26-10] Bill Giving Direct EAMS Access to Applicants Moves Forward

[04-26-10] Insurance Broker Gets 10 Yrs for Stealing WC Premiums

[04-26-10] Fraudulent Workers Comp Liens Against AIG Bring 200+ Criminal Counts

[04-26-10] WCIRB Holding Payroll Auditing Seminars This Month

[04-26-10] Cal/OSHA Cites Statewide Bakery for Multiple Work Hazards

[04-26-10] San Jose Man Charged with Felony WC Insurance Fraud

[04-26-10] Employers Direct Gets New Corporate Name

March 2010

[03-01-10] DIR & Governor Breaking Law Without New PDRS

[03-01-10] Feb. 1 Deadline for Employers Posting Job-Related Injuries Log

[03-01-10] Editorials: Pros & Cons on State Workers' Salary Cuts

[03-01-10] FREE Employer Seminars on Surprise Construction Inspections

[03-01-10] New Investigation: Cal/OSHA Exposed

[03-01-10] State Fund Exec to Head WC Fraud Commission

[03-01-10] San Diego Ins. Broker Pleads Guilty to Stealing WC Premiums

[03-08-10] DWC to 'Uncork" Filing Bottleneck, Begins Work on EAMS Bulk Filing

[03-08-10] Zenith Insurance Sold to Canadian Financial Group

[03-08-10] DWC Announces 1 Mil Document Batches Processed Into EAMS

[03-08-10] Jury Acquits WC Atty on Domestic Abuse Charges

[03-08-10] Medical Unit Cancels QME Exam

[03-08-10] CA Workers Compensation Law: Things You Should Know in 2010

[03-15-10] Nominate Your Favorite WC Atty or Judge for Special Award

[03-15-10] Stanford D. Herlick, Author of WC Treatises, Passes Away at 88

[03-15-10] DWC Issues 15-Day Notice for Proposed MPN, Benefit Notices

[03-15-10] Lawsuit Filed to Block Zenith Takeover by Fairfax

[03-15-10] 2 Plead No Contest in Premier Medical Fraud Cases

[03-15-10] What's In Store for Workers' Comp After November Election?

[03-15-10] Woman Ignores WC Fraud Restitution, Gets 3 Years Prison

[03-22-10] Peek at Latest Workers' Comp Bills Introduced This Session

[03-22-10] Making Workers Comp Work: Impressive Cast of Speakers

[03-22-10] DWC & EDD Issue Spam Alert

[03-22-10] New Chiro Rules for Manip. Under Anesthesia (MUA)

[03-22-10] Cal/OSHA Shuts Down Riverside Construction Projects

[03-22-10] Court Formally Exempts DWC from State Furloughs

[03-22-10] DWC Posts Proposed Benefit Notice Changes

[03-22-10] Public Works Contractor Sued for Violating Labor Laws

[03-29-10] YouTube Flick Brings WC Fraud Action

[03-29-10] Labor Commissioner Sues Carlton Hotel for Payroll Violations

[03-29-10] Self-Insurers to Hold Annual Meeting Next Month in Anaheim

[03-29-10] New Ambulance Fee Rules Posted for Comment

[03-29-10] DWC Posts New Pharmacy Benefit Network (PBN) Rules

[03-29-10] Labor Comm. 'Debars' 2 Orange Cty Contractors From Public Works

[03-29-10] Department of Insurance Now on Twitter

February 2010

[02-01-10] Labor Code: New PDRS Due 1/1/10! DWC: FORGETABOUTIT...

[02-01-10] DWC Seeks Input on Spinal Surgery & Benefit Notice Regs

[02-01-10] DWC Schedules Meeting This Month on Benefit Notice Regs

[02-01-10] Supreme Court Closes L.A. Branch, Announces Changes in Filing

[02-01-10] Newly Revised Benefit Notices & Manual Posted

[02-01-10] Study Shows L.A. Leads Massive Under-Reporting of Work Injuries

[02-01-10] Sign of Times: Ins. Fraud Up, Return-to-Work Programs Squeezed

[02-01-10] Occupational Safety and Health Training Manuals Available

[02-01-10] AD Duncan's Interview: WC Premium Assessments

[02-01-10] Firm Announces Free WC Seminar for Claims Professionals

[02-08-10] Apportion Back Injuries for Smoking?

[02-08-10] Ins. Dept Sets Record for Fraud Arrests, Officials Awarded

[02-08-10] State Fund's Former Prez Will Take Over as Head of Zenith

[02-08-10] Governor Gets Win in Prison Guard Furlough Case

[02-08-10] Feds Consider Uniform Reporting of Common Work Injuries

[02-08-10] Governor Targets Workers (& Analyst Says Drop Furloughs)

[02-08-10] New Regs Take Effect Mandating Faster Access to HMO Doctors

[02-08-10] Former Santa Monica WC Judge Joins Zenith

[02-08-10] Interim SCIF Prez Sees 2010 'Challenging' But Bright

[02-15-10] DWC Clarifies Auditing of Spinal Surgery UR Procedures

[02-15-10] New Laws Affecting Businesses in 2010 (& New Required Posters)

[02-15-10] Review of CA Pregnancy Leave Law -- Not as Clear as It Sounds

[02-15-10] Agricultural Injuries Rising Among State's Workers' Comp Claims

[02-15-10] Zenith's Last Quarter Profits Climb But Full Year Much Lower

[02-15-10] OSHA Updates Publication on Late-Night Retail Workplace Violence

[02-22-10] CAAA Attacks Last Year's Private WC Meetings on Reforms

[02-22-10] Should Ins. Commissioner Be Appointed Position?

[02-22-10] Do Higher TD Rates Mean Extending Disability?

[02-22-10] AG Wins Employee Misclassification Suit Against Trucking Co.

[02-22-10] Med Assn Sues Governor for Condoning Anesthesia Without Doctor

[02-22-10] Labor Commissioner Settles With Janitorial Company

[02-22-10] Top 10 Jury Verdicts for 2009 Include TX WC Case

January 2010

[01-11-10] Calculating the Cost of Future Medical Treatment

[01-11-10] New Rand Report: Stable WC Rates Needs More Work

[01-11-10] Medical Pot Clinics: Next Insurance Growth Industry?

[01-11-10] Unit Created to Oversee Public Works Projects

[01-11-10] WCAB Commissioner Reappointed, Fraud Unit Gets New Members

[01-11-10] Legal Commentator Says NO New WC Changes in 2010

[01-11-10] Insurance Commissioner: 2010 WC Rates Should Remain Stable

[01-11-10] NFL Players Get Guidelines for 'Working' After Concussions

[01-11-10] CAAA Prez Comments on the Underreporting of Work Injuries

[01-18-10] List of New Laws Affecting California Businesses

[01-18-10] Documents From 'Secret' WC-Reform Meetings Now Available

[01-18-10] Councilwoman May Lose Seat Over WC Fraud Charges

[01-18-10] Mileage Rate for WC Medical Travel Decreasing in 2010

[01-18-10] Narcotics Use a Growing Concern in WC Claims

[01-18-10] Sale of State Fund a No-Go for This Fiscal Year

[01-25-10] Employers Who Misclassify Employees May Get Tax Relief

[01-25-10] 2 Employer-Backed Bills Rejected, Pro-Worker TD Bill Introduced

[01-25-10] L.A. Carwash Workers Tell Investigators of Regular Abuses

[01-25-10] Chocolate Co. Avoids Criminal Charges, Settles Arm Amputation Case

[01-25-10] Free 'Webinar' Offers Tips for Employers on Workplace Violence

[01-25-10] January Workers Comp Seminars

December 2009

[12-14-09] State Fund Files for 5% Premium Rate Increase

[12-14-09] Register Here for DWC's 17th Educational Conference

[12-14-09] Hard Times for Workers Comp Fraud Investigators

[12-14-09] Guy Faking Disability Spotted Working on Cable TV Show

[12-14-09] New Health Care Org. (HCO) Regs Approved

[12-14-09] Training Manual for 2009 WC Regs Now Available

[12-14-09] GAO Report: Work Injuries Routinely Under-Reported

[12-14-09] Health Care Bill: 'Trial Lawyer's Dream'?

[12-14-09] CHP Dispatcher Charged with Workers' Comp Fraud

[12-14-09] Sign Up for CAAA's Annual Ratings Seminars

[12-14-09] Ins/ Commissioner Denies Request for WC Rate Increase

[12-28-09] When Are On-the-Job Brain Injuries Most Likely to Occur?

[12-28-09] DWC-Approved EAMS-Compatible Forms Just Released

[12-28-09] Governor Announces 5 Appointments to State Fund Board

[12-28-09] DWC's Annual Audit of Utilization Reviews Now Available

[12-28-09] CHP Dispatcher Charged with Workers' Comp Fraud

[12-28-09] New Carrier Assessments in the Mail (35% Increase)

[12-28-09] Trucking Company Fined $160K for No WC Coverage

[12-28-09] New TSA Rules Put Employers at Risk When Booking Travel

[12-28-09] State Fund Goes Green, Investing Millions in New Hybrids

[12-28-09] WCIRB Issues New Lower Rate Figures and Stats for 2010

[12-28-09] IRS Lowers Mileage Rate for 2010 - DWC Should Follow

[12-28-09] Labor Comm. Gets $4 Mil Settlement for Laid Off Workers

[12-28-09] 2010 Chair of Health and Safety Commission Elected

[12-28-09] Faked Injury Results in Felony Fraud in No. California

[12-28-09] "Report Card" for CA Health and Safety Systems Released

[12-28-09] For Sale: 70 CA Jack in the Box's (+ 4000 Employees)

[12-28-09] Labor Comm. Wins $230K Judgment in L.A. Retaliation Suit

[12-28-09] Chronic Pain Claims: How to Reduce WC Costs

[12-28-09] Latest CIGA Appointments Announced by Insurance Commissioner

November 2009

[11-02-09] Patient-Doctor Relationship Fuzzy at Med-Legal Exams

[11-02-09] No. Cal Woman Pleads Guilty to Making Up WC Claim

[11-02-09] CHSWC Approves Rand Report on Reducing WC Medical Costs

[11-09-09] Applicant's Lies Result in No Contest Plea in Sacramento WC Fraud Case

[11-09-09] DWC Makes Formal Announcement of TD Rate Increase

[11-09-09] New Handbook for Injured Workers Now Available

[11-09-09] New State Court Computer System: Overpriced & Behind Schedule

[11-09-09] Bookkeeper of Controversial Chiropractor Indicted on Tax Charges

[11-09-09] New Interim Prez at SCIF as Fight for Permanent Post Continues

[11-09-09] $6.7 Mil WC Fraud Results in Guilty Pleas in Orange County

[11-16-09] Newspaper Supports Legislature Revisiting Low PD Rates

[11-16-09] Governor Vetoes State Bar's Right to Collect Fees

[11-16-09] Proposed Chiro Rule Should Make Reviewing Complaints Easier

[11-16-09] Top 10 Errors Submitting CMS Medicare Set Asides

[11-16-09] Trans. Dept. Parts Ways With Attorney General on Marijuana

[11-16-09] Governor Signs / Vetoes Slew of WC Bills

[11-16-09] Sample Checklist for CMS Workers Comp Set Aside Agreements

[11-16-09] Labor Commissioner Levies $1 Mil. Fines to Car Washers

[11-23-09] Major DWC Rule Changes Proposed to Cut Med Costs

[11-23-09] State Worker's Union Files Reply to Governor's Furlough Appeal

[11-23-09] EDD Employee Pleads Guilty to Multiple Counts of Paying Fake Claims

[11-23-09] Combining Workers' Comp With Group Health Will Cut Costs

[11-23-09] State Tax Withholding Increase Starts NOW

[11-23-09] New 'Equal Opportunity' Poster Must be Displayed by 11/21/09

[11-23-09] PacifiCare's Lawsuit to Throw Out Insurance Violations Dismissed

[11-30-09] New Estimates Impact of Almaraz/Guzman & Ogilvie

[11-30-09] 21 New Employment Statutes Signed Into Law

[11-30-09] Restaurant Owners Charged with WC Fraud, Tax Evasion

[11-30-09] Bradshaw Reappointed at Workforce Agency

[11-30-09] New Report: Insurance Industry Ranks #2 in Fraud

[11-30-09] SCIF Offers Seminars to Employers on H1N1 Outbreak

[11-30-09] Insurance Broker Sentenced in Repeat WC Premium Fraud Case

[11-30-09] Bill Raising Penalties for No WC Coverage Signed by Governor

October 2009

[10-05-09] ADA Coordinators Holding Oct. Conference in Del Mar

[10-05-09] FREE Seminars on Almaraz/Guzman, Ogilvie Decisions!

[10-05-09] Insurance Commissioner Calls Any SCIF Sale Unconstitutional

[10-05-09] Proposed New ADA Rules Posted

[10-05-09] Facebook Gets Reprieve in Fight for User's WC Info

[10-05-09] DWC Proposes Changes to MPN Rules, DWC-1 Form

[10-05-09] New Rules Proposed for ADA Regulations

[10-05-09] Feds File Class Action Against UPS for Discrimination

[10-05-09] 2 Men Surrender on Workers' Comp Premium Fraud Charges

[10-12-09] IRS Announces Small Business Audits for SS & Mis-ID-ing Workers

[10-12-09] New 'Podcast' Analyzes Almaraz/Guzman II and Ogilvie II

[10-12-09] Poochigian on Appeals Ct., State Bar Investigates Rating Leak

[10-12-09] Restaurant Owner to Serve 90 Days for No WC Insurance

[10-12-09] Labor Commissioner Warns of Impersonating 'Investigator'

[10-12-09] DWC Says New Rx Medi-Cal Billing Requirements Don't Apply to WC

[10-12-09] Jan Frank Resigns From State Fund

[10-12-09] New Rand Reports Offer Ways to Save WC Costs, Comments Welcome!

[10-12-09] Another Report Warns of Addictive Drug Overuse in WC System

[10-12-09] Cal/OSHA Conducts 305 Heat Inspections

[10-19-09] Bill 'Expanding' LC 4850 Benefits Gutted

[10-19-09] Law Extending Pre-Designating WC Doc Goes to Governor

[10-19-09] Upcoming Almaraz/Guzman/Ogilvie Seminars

[10-19-09] October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month

[10-19-09] Enforcement Coalition Describes CA's 'Underground' Economy

[10-19-09] Premier Medical Dismisses $70 Mil in Liens

[10-19-09] Largest Self-Insured Group Hits Record in Member Payroll

[10-19-09] Sacramento WCAB Offices Moving Next Week

[10-19-09] Lienholders May Continue Fighting Premier Liens

[10-19-09] New Deputy Insurance Commissioner Appointed

[10-19-09] State Fund Workers' Back Cost: 25 Mil!

[10-26-09] No Furloughs for ALL State Fund Workers

[10-26-09] 'Separators' & 'Cover Sheets' - the EAMS Appl. Packet

[10-26-09] Editorial: Why 'Tort Reform' is a Farce

[10-26-09] WCIRB Reports on Better Ways to Assess Workers' Comp Costs

[10-26-09] Min. & Max. TTD Rates, Life Pensions, Going Up in 2010

[10-26-09] Governor Appeals State Fund Employees' Furlough Win

[10-26-09] Women's Group Takes Aim at Gender Based Apportionment

[10-26-09] Furloughs Not Saving State Much Money

[10-26-09] Seminars on Recent WCAB Decisions Coming This Week

September 2009

[09-08-09] Osteo Med Board Disciplines 2 Osteopaths

[09-08-09] Legislative Counsel: Governor's Budget Illegal!

[09-08-09] $1 Billion Workers' Comp AIG Case Dismissed

[09-08-09] Fired Worker Who Breastfed Wins Damages

[09-08-09] Low WC Benefits in State Reflect on National Stats

[09-08-09] VIAW & CAAA Turn to YouTube With WC 'Horrors'

[09-08-09] Higher WC Premiums Recommended, Again -- (Blames Lawyers)

[09-08-09] Man Arrested in $1.4 Million WC Fraud Case

[09-08-09] SCIF Files Cross-Complaint in Ongoing Furloughs Suit

[09-08-09] Will Selling Any of SCIF Raise Premiums?

[09-08-09] Newspaper Analyzes Seriousness of SCIF Sale Proposal

[09-14-09] State Bar Recognizing WC Judge and Attys in September

[09-14-09] New Presiding Judge Appointed at Oakland WCAB

[09-14-09] Tentative Ruling Sides With State Fund Workers

[09-14-09] No Celebration for CA Workers on Labor Day

[09-14-09] 3 WC Courses at September Bar Conference

[09-14-09] Fatal Work Injuries Down Considerably in 2008

[09-14-09] New Civilian Military Death Benefits

[09-14-09] State Fund Extends Credit to Wild Fire Policyholders

[09-21-09] Minimum Wage Earners Getting Ripped Off

[09-21-09] CWCI Holding 2 Seminars in SF and LA

[09-21-09] Audit Finds Inadequate Supervision of Fed WC Program

[09-21-09] CAAA Now Has New President, Officers

[09-21-09] Companies Who Fake Job References for a Fee?

[09-21-09] SB 899's Author Could Be State's Next Appellate Judge

[09-21-09] L.A. Firm Offers FREE All-Day Workers' Comp Seminars

[09-21-09] Bill Mandating Audit for State Fund Passes Legislature

[09-28-09] Bill Outlawing WC Denials for Race Moves to Governor

[09-28-09] Watch Your Facebook Admissions (& WC Fraud)

[09-28-09] Applications Available for New QME Exam

[09-28-09] Labor Dept Files Suit Against Marine Contractor

[09-28-09] Former Ins. Agent Pleads Guilty to Ins. Theft

[09-28-09] LA County Instructive on How NOT to Run WC Program

[09-28-09] WCIRB Report Finds Lower Premiums, Higher Carrier Losses

August 2009

[08-03-09] CAAA Lists 2009's Most Important WC Cases

[08-03-09] DWC Post New Guides for Injured Workers

[08-03-09] WC Carrier Losses Exceeded Premiums in 2008

[08-03-09] Text of SCIF Resolution Opposing Sale of Assets

[08-03-09] Is State Fund Really for Sale? Or Big Bluff?

[08-03-09] 9 Groups Oppose Health Care Bill's Med Mal Limits

[08-03-09] Despite Legislative Support, Veto Likely for Online WC Coverage Bill

[08-03-09] 18 Carriers File for Rate Changes in July

[08-10-09] New Members Appointed to DWC Med Guidelines Board

[08-10-09] New Report Outlines How CMS Treats WC Set-Asides

[08-10-09] AIG: A Company Still Doomed to Fail?

[08-10-09] Cal/OSHA Moves to Strengthen Heat Illness Regs

[08-10-09] Timing of AOE/COE Denials with New Board Rules

[08-10-09] LAPD Employee Arrested for Faking WC Injury

[08-10-09] Orange County Doc Arrested for Faking Own Injury

[08-10-09] CMS Seeks Input on Submitting Set-Asides by Internet

[08-10-09] DWC Posts Annual Audit and Ethics Reports

[08-17-09] Are LC 4664 Presumptions Really 'Conclusive'?

[08-17-09] Division of Workers' Compensation Surveys EAMS Users

[08-17-09] DWC Claims Victory Over Paper Backlog at WC Boards

[08-17-09] City Worker Arrested for Faking Extent of Work Injury

[08-17-09] State Workers Authorize Strike!

[08-17-09] Qualified Medical Evaluator Form Now Available in Spanish

[08-17-09] As Jobs Drop, Unemployment Benefit Delays Skyrocket

[08-17-09] Attys, Med Groups, Request Hearing on EAMS Delays

[08-17-09] New Budget Adds to EAMS, Sale of SCIF

[08-17-09] New Report: What's Wrong With CIGA?

[08-24-09] State Personnel Board Nixes State Fund Bonuses

[08-24-09] Movie Workers Claim Contamination at Worksite

[08-24-09] ACLU, United Farm Workers, Sue Cal/OSHA Over Heat Protection

[08-24-09] DWC Creates Handy ZIP Code WCAB Office Locator

[08-24-09] Governor Signs 4 (Minor) Workers' Comp Bills

[08-24-09] EDD Workers Picket Over Salary Cuts

[08-24-09] State Sues Bay Area Restaurant for Taking Workers' Tips

[08-31-09] Don't Forget to Fill Out the EAMS Survey Before 8/31!

[08-31-09] Former Adjuster, Family Members, Arrested for Theft, Fraud

[08-31-09] Judge in State Fund Furlough Case Tentatively Agrees to Step Down

[08-31-09] Two New Members Appointed to WCIRB - Both from Labor Side

[08-31-09] Booty From State's Largest WC Fraud Auctioned Off

[08-31-09] Carriers Water Down Senate WC Fraud Prevention Bill

[08-31-09] Ethics Advisory Committee Member Re-Appointed

July 2009

[07-06-09] Regulators Refuse to OK Heat Prevention Emergency Regs

[07-06-09] Governor Appeals Order Finding State Fund Furlough Illegal

[07-06-09] DWC Tries to Manage EAMS "Paperless" Paperwork

[07-06-09] 2 Workers' Comp Bills Pass Full Assembly

[07-06-09] WCIRB Releases Report on WC Losses and Expenses for 2008

[07-06-09] Insurance Department Critical of WCIRB (Rating Bureau)

[07-06-09] New YouTube Spoof on Almaraz/Guzman Decisions

[07-06-09] Search Warrants Served on Former State Fund Executive

[07-06-09] State Recovers Millions from Fremont Bankruptcy

[07-06-09] Governor Threatens 3rd Furlough Day for State Workers

[07-06-09] Newspaper Explains What's Really Happening in Workers Comp

[07-13-09] 47 Cal-OSHA Managers Formally Complain

[07-13-09] CCWC's 7th Annual Workers' Comp Policy Conference

[07-13-09] Why Only Some State Workers Get Furloughed

[07-13-09] Fed's Shift in Worker Immigration Policy Hits Employers

[07-13-09] Insurance Commissioner Probing WC Carriers Iran Ties

[07-13-09] DWC Testing New EAMS Forms

[07-13-09] Lawmaker Responds to Negative Editorial on Fed WC Bill

[07-13-09] State Bar's Workers' Comp "Boot Camp" Next Weekend

[07-13-09] Early Threats of Selling SCIF Getting Serious

[07-13-09] Employers' Group Recruits Members to Fight WC Assessments

[07-13-09] Employers Direct Leaving California WC Market

[07-20-09] $30 Million in Grants Awarded to Fight Fraud

[07-20-09] Cal/OSHA First in Nation for Infectious Airborne Protections

[07-20-09] DIR Provides Online Guidance for Public Works Stimulus Dollars

[07-20-09] SCIF Resolves to Oppose Assets Sale

[07-20-09] New Electronic Discovery Act Signed Into Law

[07-20-09] Who's the Biggest WC Con: Employers or Employees?

[07-20-09] Labor Commissioner Moves to Revoke Farm Contractors' Licenses

[07-20-09] Details of WC Carrier Ties-to-Iran Probe

[07-20-09] DWC's Answers on Medicare Coverage vs. WC Treatment

[07-20-09] Defense Firm Offers Analysis of New Voc. Rehab Decision

[07-27-09] Disciplined Physicians List as of June 2009

[07-27-09] Cal/OSHA Reminds Employers of Heat Prevention Training

[07-27-09] CMS, Med Association, Warn Doctors of New Medicare Scam

[07-27-09] New Anti-Discrimination Bill Passes Ins. Committee

[07-27-09] Ins. Dept. Won't Recommend WC Rate Increase

[07-27-09] New Treatment Guides Set to Take Effect July 18th

[07-27-09] SCIF Workers' Union Mailing Strike Ballots to Members

June 2009

[06-01-09] Doctor Gets 16-Yrs for Unnecessary Surgeries, in $154 Mil Fraud

[06-01-09] WC Bills on Hate Crimes, UR Review, Safety Officers Move On

[06-01-09] New Job Displacement Voucher Bill Would Offer One Amount, Quicker

[06-01-09] QME's / AME's Beware: Rules Tightened for Late Reports

[06-01-09] Committee Rejects Bills Cutting Minimum TD, Delaying Voc Rehab Vouchers

[06-01-09] New Study of New York WC System Shows Many of Same Problems as California

[06-01-09] Forged Prescriptions Lead to Jail Time for Orange County Man in WC Fraud

[06-01-09] Woman Charged With Insurance Fraud for 2nd Time in 2 Years

[06-01-09] Study Finds More WC Fraud Tied to Poor Economy

[06-01-09] Largest WC Fraud in State History Alleged Against Husband, Wife

[06-01-09] Serial Killer Suspect, Spanning Decades, Was State Fund Adjuster

[06-08-09] 7 Farm Labor Contractors Shut Down for Heat Violations

[06-08-09] Beware of Increase CMS Scrutiny in Medicare WC Set-Asides

[06-08-09] Latest Voc. Rehab. Installment

[06-08-09] Chiros, Attys, Paralegal, Arrested in Orange County Sting

[06-08-09] New Medical Unit Forms Required Beginning May 19, 2009

[06-08-09] Man Gets 12 Yrs for Attacking WC Attorney

[06-08-09] Former Firefighter Shown Mercy at WC Fraud Sentencing

[06-15-09] State Fund Files 15% Rate Increase, Zenith Seeks Less

[06-15-09] CalChamber Releases Annual 'Job Killer' Bill List

[06-15-09] Editorial Supporting Bill for UR Docs Be CA-Licensed

[06-15-09] Lien Service Worker, AIG Adjusters, Arrested for WC Fraud

[06-15-09] DFEH Issues Annual Report on Discrimination Complaints

[06-15-09] UCLA Spinal Surgeon Failed to Report $500K in Income

[06-15-09] New Study Shows ALL Medical Costs Are Up in WC Cases

[06-15-09] CA Labor Comm. Files Closes 9 Carwashes

[06-15-09] 2 More Workers' Comp Bills Bite the Dust

[06-22-09] New Voc. Rehab Installment

[06-22-09] Cal/Osha Issues New Heat Advisory to Employers

[06-22-09] Former Def. Atty: Original Guzman/Almaraz Decisions Correct

[06-22-09] Cal/OSHA Wants Emergency Regs for Heat Illness Prevention at Work

[06-22-09] DIR Launches Pilot Program for Uninsured Injured Workers

[06-22-09] 3 Arrested in Bay Area on 48 Counts of WC Insurance Fraud

[06-29-09] Atty for SCIF Sued for Car Accident, Girl Scout's Leg Amputation

[06-29-09] Worker Group Attacks Insurance Rate Increases

[06-29-09] State Agency Not Recommending Public Disclosure of Finances for Self-Insureds

[06-29-09] Insurance Dept Appoints 'Czar' to Oversee AIG's State Operations

[06-29-09] New Amendments Proposed to Health Care Organization Rules

[06-29-09] Employers Direct Sets Record for Highest WC Rate Increase (33%)

[06-29-09] State Workers Running From General Fund in Wake of Budget Madness

May 2009

[05-04-09] Editorial: Are We Spending More Fighting WC Costs?

[05-04-09] Happy Birthday SB 899!! Injured Workers Not Celebrating

[05-04-09] DWC's 'Bring 'em Back' Campaign Helps Employees Back to Work

[05-04-09] Labor Commiss., Atty General Win $13 Mil Judgment Against Janitorial Co.

[05-04-09] Zenith Given High Financial Marks By Credit Agency

[05-04-09] Governor Signs Proclamation Speeding Unemployment Funds

[05-04-09] Labor Code "Clean-Up" Bill Introduced, Removes "Non-Substantive" Portions

[05-04-09] L.A. Security Firms Arraigned on Multi-Million WC Fraud Scheme

[05-04-09] Dept. of Insurance Busts Another Janitor Service for WC Fraud

[05-04-09] Latest on WCAB's Grant of Recon in Ogilvie and Guzman/Almaraz Cases

[05-11-09] CDC Issues Latest Precautions, Updates on Swine Flu

[05-11-09] Applicant Group Derides Carriers for Excessive Profits

[05-11-09] Roofer's Death, Another's Serious Injury, Lead to Convictions

[05-11-09] Governor Addresses 5th Anniversary of SB 899

[05-11-09] State Prison Librarian Arraigned on Insurance Fraud

[05-11-09] Fed Stimulus Funds Will Help State's Workers Just in Time

[05-11-09] Cal/Osha and Feds Post Advisories on Swine Flu and Pandemics

[05-11-09] WCIRB Lowers Premium Rate Recommendation, Hearing Set

[05-18-09] Judge Rules SCIF Employees Are Exempt From State Furloughs

[05-18-09] Bay Area Father, Daughter Arrested on Million Dollar WC Fraud

[05-18-09] Heat Related Worker Death Brings Manslaughter Charges

[05-18-09] Bill Would Set Up Website for Public WCIRB Access

[05-18-09] Car Washes Across State Fined $770K in Penalties

[05-18-09] DWC Announces EAMS Recognition by Computerworld

[05-18-09] No Link Found Between Firefighting and Cancer

[05-18-09] EEEC Shuts Down Restaurant Business for Illegal Operations

[05-25-09] Another Hearing Scheduled for WC Premium Rates Increases

[05-25-09] DWC's New Audit Regs Approved, Become Law May 20th

[05-25-09] Former CHP Officer Gets WC Benefits After Molest Arrest

[05-25-09] Four Charged in $12 Million Tax and WC Insurance Fraud

[05-25-09] State Fund Audit Points to Many Still-Unaddressed "Issues"

April 2009

[04-06-09] Man With History of Attacking WC Attorneys Convicted, Ruled Sane

[04-06-09] Answer to Rising Workers Compensation Costs: Universal Health Coverage?

[04-06-09] New Rand Report Says Spinal Surgery Regs Increase Unnecessary Procedures

[04-06-09] Great Deal on No. Cal WC Seminar in April

[04-06-09] Wall Street Journal Applauds State Fund Chief

[04-06-09] New 'Fillable' Forms for QME's, AME's, Now Available

[04-06-09] Vocational Rehabilitation Series: New Installment

[04-06-09] DWC Updates Frequently Asked Questions on EAMS

[04-06-09] Annual Audit: Major Fines Go to Sentry, Gallagher Bassett

[04-13-09] New Bill Would Re-Define "First Aid" for Work Injury Reporting

[04-13-09] Social Security Series: Proving Pain in Disability Claims

[04-13-09] 25% WC Rate Increase Proposed , Maybe More With Ogilvie, Almaraz/Guzman

[04-13-09] State Bar WC Section's Winter Symposium Set for March - June

[04-13-09] SPECIAL: "Beyond the AMA Guides -- Rating PD in Post-Almaraz/Guzman World"

[04-13-09] Arnold's Letter to Ins. Comm: 'Reject WC Increases, Fight Almaraz/Guzman'

[04-13-09] Sacramento Commentator Calls Almaraz/Guzman 'Bombshell' for the Governor

[04-20-09] Bd of Equalization Abandoning Home, As Workers' Comp Claims (& Mold) Grow

[04-20-09] DIR Director Asks WCAB to Vacate Ogilvie-Almaraz Opinions

[04-20-09] California's Workers' Comp Market and the AIG Fiasco - Cause for Concern?

[04-20-09] Are Opioids Killing Workers' Comp Patients After Back Surgery?

[04-20-09] New DWC Admin. Director Selected as WCAB Staff Changes Come at Worst Time

[04-20-09] Two Workers Comp Bills Pass Senate Committee

[04-20-09] A Short Primer on Reducing Pay or Hours for Exempt Employees

[04-20-09] 2 Bills Compete on Disclosure for Self-Insured Administrators

[04-20-09] Labor Commissioner Debars Contractor From Public Works Projects

[04-20-09] Firefighter Pleads No Contest to WC Fraud in Santa Clara County

[04-27-09] State Fund Head Opposes State Furloughs for Its Workers

March 2009

[03-02-09] Newly-Passed Stimulus Package Bodes Well for Workers Nationwide

[03-02-09] New Employment Laws for 2009

[03-02-09] CA Labor Commissioner Issues $800,000+ Fines in Restaurant Sweep

[03-02-09] New Letters Added to File Regarding Proposed Rules on Medical Treatment

[03-02-09] 8 Orange County Chiros, 1 Attorney, Arrested in Insurance Fraud Sting

[03-02-09] Million Dollar Grant Awarded to Fresno to Fight WC Fraud

[03-02-09] Ledbetter Bill, Expanding Deadline for Filing Pay Equity Suits, First Obama Law

[03-02-09] Employers Work-Injury Report Summary -- DOWNLOAD FORMS HERE --

[03-02-09] EAMS Shuts Down - Growing Pains or Preview of the Future?

[03-02-09] CIGA Goes Public - It's a New World for Previously Private Agency

[03-02-09] CAAA Members & Non-Members Invited to 2 EAMS Seminars on 3/21

[03-09-09] DWC Office Furloughs to Continue Thru Next Year

[03-09-09] Baca Bill Would Create National WC Commission

[03-09-09] New QME / AME Forms and Regs Take Effect 2/17/09

[03-09-09] Company Touts New Technology for Pre-Screening UR Referrals

[03-09-09] Latest Voc. Rehab Installment

[03-09-09] Rx Company Files RICO Suit Against Berkshire Hathaway's WC Carriers

[03-09-09] New State Bill Would Prohibit Bias in Disability and Death Claims

[03-09-09] 2 Members Reappointed to State Health and Safety Commission

[03-09-09] Despite Almaraz/Guzman Decisions, State Still Ranks Low for WC Benefits

[03-09-09] New Bill Would Stop Employers From Denying Previously Authorized Treatment

[03-16-09] DWC & State Workers' "Friday Furloughs" Ending, New Plan Will Replace It

[03-16-09] Details Surface on Orange County Chiro / Atty Fraud Sting, Not Guilty Pleas Entered

[03-16-09] Ogilvie Aftermath: Are Rehab Experts 'History' In Most PD Cases?

[03-16-09] State Workers Can Be Forced to Accept Min. Wage During Budget Impasse, Maybe

[03-16-09] DWC Seeks Nominations for Medical Evaluation Advisory Committee

[03-16-09] CWCI: DWC Moving Toward 'Liberal Standard' (and Anti-Fed) for Opiates

[03-16-09] Video-Alert for Carriers: Think Twice Before You 'Sub-Rosa' That Applicant!

[03-23-09] CAAA Members & Non-Members Invited to "EAMS & Ogilvie" Seminar on 3/21

[03-23-09] Does Being on Workers' Comp. Hinder Medical Recovery?

[03-23-09] New Law Permits 'Alternative' Workweeks Without Violating Overtime Laws

[03-23-09] CWCI's Annual WC Case Law Seminars Coming to L.A. and S.F.

[03-23-09] DWC's Return-to-Work Program a Complete Failure, Millions Wasted

[03-23-09] L.A. Hearing Set for March to Discuss Consolidating Voc Rehab Issues & Cases

[03-23-09] DWC Cancels Upcoming QME Exam, Cites 'Budget Constraints'

[03-30-09] New Chart Compares ADA, New ADA Amendments, FEHA

[03-30-09] Does Almaraz/Guzman Decision Threaten the Brigham "Business Model"?

[03-30-09] Review of Latest Workers' Comp-Related Bills Introduced

[03-30-09] State Sues Company Helping Small Businesses Allegedly Evade WC Insurance

[03-30-09] Report on Failed Return-to-Work Program Posted

[03-30-09] New Family-Medical Leave Chart: FMLA Versus CFRA/PDL

[03-30-09] Riverside Doctor Faces 276 Felonies for Rx & ID Fraud

[03-30-09] DWC's Bulk-Filing Presentation at Recent Conference

[03-30-09] Chiros Renew Proposals for M-U-A Regs

February 2009

[02-02-09] Social Security: New Disability Regs and Lupus

[02-02-09] All CA Patients Now Entitled to Interpreters!

[02-02-09] DWC Posts Revised Audit Regs, Comments Welcome

[02-02-09] DWC Issues Second Set of Audit Regs Revisions, Solicits Public Comments

[02-02-09] DWC Sets 1/26 Conference to Discuss Bulk Electronic EAMS Filing

[02-02-09] Formal Mileage Rate Decrease Announced, Get Form Here

[02-16-09] New Fed Medical Leave Compliance Poster Available Here

[02-16-09] Occupational Disease: When Science Isn't Quite There Yet

[02-16-09] Arnold's Recent State Board Appointments: A Developing Pattern?

[02-16-09] Summary of New Practice & Procedure Regs Now in Effect

[02-16-09] 7th WCAB Commissioner Finally Appointed

[02-16-09] DWC Posts Forums for Employee Poster and MPN Notices

[02-16-09] Attendees Gather to Discuss Solutions for EAMS Bulk Filing System

[02-16-09] Labor Commissioner Gets $750K in Wage Settlements, Debars Contractor

[02-16-09] Former Kern County Sheriff's Deputy Arrested on WC Fraud Charges

[02-16-09] Missed Newsletter: Social Security and Traumatic Brain Injuries

[02-16-09] Is FEHA Statute of Limitations on Verge of Extinction?

[02-16-09] Former Fed WC Commission Chairman Thinks New Fed WC Bill Has Good Chance

[02-23-09] Proposed Treatment Guides Include Liberal Rules for Analgesics

[02-23-09] Insurance Department Set to Cut Fees to California Insurers By 6%

[02-23-09] Writ Granted: Can 15% PD Increase for No Work Be Waived at Trial?

[02-23-09] ACOEM Annual Health Conference Set for April in San Diego

January 2009

[01-05-09] EAMS Update: OCR Forms Now Mandatory

[01-05-09] Firm Sees Increase in WC Fraud Cases

[01-05-09] Social Security: End of Year Update

[01-05-09] DWC Adjusts Med Fee Schedule to Conform to Medicare

[01-05-09] MPN Use Increasing Share of Total WC Medical Treatment

[01-05-09] L.A. Carwash Businesses Cited for Unsafe Practices

[01-05-09] LA Garment Businesses Targeted for Labor Violations

[01-05-09] Top 10 "Recession-Proof" Jobs

[01-05-09] Many Cal Doctors' Malpractice Rates Dropping 20%

[01-12-09] New Medicare Adjustments to Medical Fee Schedule

[01-12-09] Sign Up for New EAMS Electronic Filing Trial

[01-19-09] Employer Reverses Position in Racial Murder Controversy

[01-19-09] EAMS Woes Prompt YouTube Humor

[01-19-09] New Health Care Org. (HCO) Regs Proposed

[01-19-09] 2009 Profile Audit Review Announced

[01-19-09] DWC's New Audit Rule Changes

[01-19-09] DWC Closing EAMS Forms Testing Lab in Oakland

[01-19-09] State Sues to Shut Down San Diego Car Wash Under 2003 Law

[01-19-09] Labor Comm. Files $250K Suit Against Med/Legal Marketing Firm

[01-19-09] New EAMS Regs & Forms Now Mandatory (w/ Some Exceptions)

[01-26-09] DWC Modifies Med Treatment Regs

[01-26-09] Mission Ins. Policyholders & Claimants Get Back Another $121 Mil

[01-26-09] State Investigating Kaiser's Call Centers for Incompetency

[01-26-09] Ergonomics Rebirth Unlikely With New Administration

[01-26-09] It's Over: Dollar Tree Death Case Finally Settled

[01-26-09] Anaheim WCAB Office Moves to New Location

[01-26-09] Another Revolving Door Appointment?

[01-26-09] DWC Posts New RBRVS Study for Review and Comment Through 2/2/08

Past Years (2005 - 2008)

January 2005

[01/03/05] AIA Study Claims CAAA is Flawed

[01/03/05] Legislature Missed the Boat

[01/03/05] Judge Steve Siemers to Act as Carve Out Ombudsman

[01/03/05] SCIF Gets 14.5 Million Dollar Fraud Judgment

[01/03/05] DWC Submits Emergency PD Rating Schedule to OAL

[01/03/05] Democrats May Use Governor's Initiative Threat Against Him

[01/03/05] Governor Makes His Appt. Calendar Public for 1st Time

[01/03/05] CHP Wants Workers' Comp. Fraud Tips From Public

[01/03/05] CEO Survey Finds Calif. at Bottom of Business-Friendly List

[01/03/05] DWC Issues Independent Medical Review Emergency Regs

[01/04/05] Apportionment Under SB 899 is Prime Issue on Appeal!

[01/04/05] Read AIA's Comments Regarding CAAA's PD Rating Study

[01/05/05] New Labor-Related Laws Going Into Effect in 2005

[01/05/05] State Fund's Press Release on New MPN's

[01/06/05] Sen. Alarcon, Docs & Workers Holding Wednesday Meeting

[01/06/05] No New Workers' Compensation Laws on the Horizon

[01/06/05] California Posts Lowest Unemployment Claims in Country

[01/06/05] Is California Succeeding as a Business-Friendly State?

[01/06/05] Another Shot at Raising Minimum Wage Slated

[01/06/05] Highly Improbable Headlines for 2005

[01/06/05] Mystery Surrounds Claims Adjusters Murder

[01/06/05] Are Carriers Really Returning to California?

[01/06/05] New Regulations Are Now Law!

[01/06/05] Schwarzenegger's Calendar Reveals POLITICS AS USUAL

[01/06/05] Newly-Enacted Workers' Comp. Regs Still Under Fire

[01/11/05] L.A. County To Investigate EVERY Disability Pension Recipient

[01/11/05] Zenith Profits Continue To Grow

[01/11/05] IMR Emergency Regulations Officially Approved

[01/11/05] State Fund Files Suit to Overturn Garmendi's Stand on Temps

[01/11/05] Governor Calling Special Session of Legislature

[01/11/05] Zenith Receives Letters of Inquiry From DOI

[01/11/05] Governor's Aides Accept Special Interest Gifts

[01/11/05] Litigation Planned Regarding SB 899 & New PD Regs

[01/12/05] Here We Go Again: Ballot Initiatives On The Horizon

[01/12/05] State of the State for Injured Workers: Desperate!

[01/12/05] Sen. Alarcon Accuses Insurers Of Gouging Business

[01/12/05] Calif. Chiro, 2 Associates, Busted in $10 Mil WC Scam

[01/12/05] Sen. Alarcon Announces New WC Rate Regulation Bill

[01/12/05] Insurance Industry Believes Reforms are Working

[01/14/05] Reforms Putting Governor on Collision Course with Labor

[01/14/05] Zurich Settles Superior National Litigation for $110 Million

[01/14/05] CWCI Hosting Permanent Disability Rating Seminar

[01/14/05] Governor Wants WCAB Abolished, Submits Proposal

[01/14/05] AIA: Rate Cap Will Just Line Applicant Attorneys' Pockets

[01/14/05] Website Claims 4 Suicides in 2 Months From WC Injustice

[01/14/05] State Approves WC Self-Insurance Group for Private Schools

[01/14/05] Threatened Special Election Could Be Most Expensive Ever

[01/18/05] Tell a Lawyer Joke: Go to Jail (Really)

[01/18/05] Workers' Compensation Rates Falling Very Slowly

[01/18/05] HMO's Stung By Class Action Suit

[01/18/05] Only 8 Approved Medical Provider Networks Thus Far

[01/18/05] Governor Turning Out NOT to Be Friend to Workers

[01/18/05] Governor to WCAB After July 1st: Hasta La Vista, Baby

[01/18/05] SB 899: Helping Some, Hurting Others

[01/19/05] Groups Soliciting Funds to Aid Governor's Reform Proposals

[01/19/05] Massive WC & Medicare Inequities From Proposed Asbestos Act

[01/19/05] WCIRB Report On 9/30/04 Insurer Experience Released

[01/20/05] True Reason for Workers' Compensation Crisis Identified

[01/20/05] Injured Workers' Group Set to Protest WC Boards Jan. 19th

[01/20/05] New Study Shows Workers' Comp. Rates to Drop???

[01/20/05] Why Will State Pay $159 Mil More if WC Reforms Working??

[01/20/05] Interesting Attorney General Race in the Making!

[01/24/05] CalPers Sets up Disability Fraud Hotline

[01/24/05] Rand Study: California Not Ready for 24-Hour Care

[01/24/05] 4 Nabbed in Imperial Valley WC Fraud Investigation

[01/24/05] Actions Speak Louder Than Words With Governor's New Budget

[01/24/05] Editorial: Employer Presents Persuasive Case for More Reforms

[01/24/05] California Isn't Only State Feeling the Workers' Comp. Blues

[01/24/05] State Workers Compensation Costs To Increase 30%

[01/25/05] Juan Vargas to run for 51st Assembly District

[01/25/05] AIA: CAAA Should Be Called "Desperate Attorneys Association"

[01/25/05] ACOEM Being Used To Deny Post Settlement Care

[01/26/05] New Self-Insured Plan Regs Start Next Week

[01/27/05] Democrats Team Up To Tackle The Budget

[01/27/05] Another Carrier Enters California WC Market

[01/27/05] Hear Comes Universal Health Care

[01/27/05] Small Employers Form Advocacy Group for Rate Reduction

[01/27/05] Governor Appoints New Deputy Director of DIR

[01/31/05] State Bar WC Section, CEB, CAAA Conferences This Week

[01/31/05] Governor Accused of Favoring Boards tied to Political Donors

[01/31/05] CHP Officer Arrested for Workers' Compensation Fraud

[01/31/05] "Chief's Disease" Migrates to Los Angeles County

[01/31/05] Only in California: Hold a "Workers' Comp. Benefit Dinner!"

[01/31/05] SCIF Attempts To Cut Red Tape For Injured Workers

[01/31/05] Lottery Used To Reduce Claims

[01/31/05] Exclusive! Behind the Scenes at Senate Hearing on PD Regs

[01/31/05] Special: Rand Report & Proposed Medical Guides Released

[01/31/05] Proposed Permanent Disability Regs Released

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] New Bill Proposes Large Increase in PD

[05/05/08] Congress Kills Attempt to Overturn Ruling on Pay Discrimination

[05/05/08] New Number Changes for Penalty, Claim Form, Rehab Rules

[05/05/08] New DEU / RRTW Rules & Forms Proposed for EAMS

[05/05/08] Read Latest Comments on Proposed EAMS-Related Rule Changes

[05/05/08] Rules for Cal Doctors' Continuing Education Changing

[05/05/08] Latest News on EAMS (& DWC's New Newsletter)

[05/05/08] DWC's Press Release on EAMS Presentation to Legislature

[05/12/08] Major WC Carrier's Earnings Nose-Dive

[05/12/08] Nevada Using Lower Comp. Rates to Lure CA Businesses

[05/19/08] This Month's VR Article by Alan Leno

[05/19/08] Oceanside CSI Employee Wins Disability Discrim. Suit

[05/19/08] WCAB's Website on Case Updates Needs Updating

[05/19/08] Apportionment Bill Passes Senate, Moves to Assembly

[05/19/08] Are 'Bloggers' Newest Occupational Risk Group?

[05/19/08] Chiro Board Releases Legal Opinion Ok'ing Controversial Procedure

[05/19/08] Technology and Training Keys to Reducing WC Costs

[05/19/08] Ins. Commissioner Promises Department Will Supervise CIGA

[05/19/08] Group Calls for Ins. Dept to Start Prosecuting Carriers for WC Fraud

[05/19/08] Ins. Commissioner Won't Issue Interim WC Rate Advisory

[05/19/08] Key Columnist Publicizes Need for PD Increase

[05/27/08] Orange County Ins. Agent Charge With Largest WC Fraud Ever

[05/27/08] A.D. Nevans Updates on PD, UR Mandatory, AMA-6, MPN's

[05/27/08] The State Fund "For Sale" Rumors

[05/27/08] Lots of Gripes About Upcoming EAMS, Death of EDEX

[05/27/08] Pentagon Mismanaging Fed WC Program, Taxpayer Rip-Off

June 2008

[06/02/08] EEEC Sweep in L.A., Orange Counties, Target Garment Industry

[06/02/08] City Agrees to Re-Hire (& Pay) Firefighter Dumped for Disability

[06/02/08] ACOEM Prez Blasts Employers for Pressuring Doctors

[06/02/08] Bill Creats Liability for Misclassification of Employees (Attys Exempt)

[06/02/08] Man Posing as State Labor Investigator Gets 16 Months Prison

[06/02/08] PD Increase Bill Passes Key Committee (Video)

[06/02/08] Watch John Duncan's "Testy" DIR Director Senate Hearing

[06/02/08] Proposed EAMS-Related Regs Changes Posted

[06/02/08] DWC Posts Amended Proposed WCJ Ethics Rules

[06/02/08] Summary of Important WC Bills Now Pending

[06/02/08] State Targets SoCal Construction Firms

[06/02/08] New Soc. Sec. Installment: Handling Cancer Claims

[06/02/08] Atcherley, Libien Among This Year's Top WC Honorees by State Bar

[06/09/08] DWC Explains "First Aid"

[06/09/08] Audit of Chiro Board: Horrible Mismanagement

[06/09/08] DWC Posts Updated Proposed Treating Doctor and UR Regs

[06/16/08] Doctors Beg DWC to Reconsider Allowing EDEX to Continue

[06/16/08] New Bill Outlaws Profiting from U.R. Process

[06/16/08] DWC Announces 3 New Sets of Regs, Forms, Public Hearing on EAMS

[06/16/08] Major WC Doctor Fraud Investigation Underway, 22 Search Warrants

[06/16/08] More Public Comments (Mostly Critical) on Proposed PDRS

[06/16/08] State Fund Announces Plan to Reduce Some Rates

[06/16/08] DWC Clarifies Valid 'Work Offers' for Job Displacement Vouchers

[06/16/08] New DIR Program Targets Employers Without WC Insurance

[06/16/08] DWC Holding Hearings on How Much WC Doctors Should Be Paid

[06/23/08] Nail Gun Research Show It's Time for a Change

[06/30/08] Domestic Workers Organizing for Basic Workplace Rights

[06/30/08] How Will Gay Marriage Decision Impact Workplace Issues?

[06/30/08] New 'Job Killer' Bills Posted by Employer Group

[06/30/08] Fed Bill Aims at Misclassification of Employees

[06/30/08] $6.3 Mil Restitution Ordered in WC Fraud Case in Chatsworth

July 2008

[07/07/08] Paid Sick Leave Bill Passes Assembly

[07/07/08] Latest Comments on Proposed 2009 Rating Schedule

[07/07/08] Review of Background Behind New PDRS

[07/07/08] Employers 'May' Support New PDRS Proposal

[07/07/08] San Diego Man Sentenced To Jail, Restitution for WC Fraud

[07/07/08] WCIRB Releases 2007 Report on WC Losses and Expenses

[07/14/08] Paper Blasts 2 WC Bills, Readers Fire Back

[07/14/08] WCAB Offices Begin EAMS Testing

[07/14/08] WCAB Reopens Public Comment for New 2009 PDRS

[07/14/08] IRS Standard Mileage Rate GOING UP

[07/14/08] Food for Thought on Proving Higher PD

[07/14/08] Can L.A. City Atty Keep WC Records Secret?

[07/14/08] DWC Issues 15-Day Notice of Changes to QME Regs

[07/14/08] Former CHP Chief Settles Against Agency for $995K

[07/21/08] Underreporting Workplace Injuries, Illnesses Widespread

[07/21/08] DIR & Ag. Groups Train Farm Contractors on Heat Regs

[07/21/08] Calif Among Top States in Heat-Related Work Deaths

[07/21/08] Heat Related Death Prompts 2 Business Closures

[07/21/08] Hispanics High Work-Deaths: Murder & Crashes

[07/21/08] Work Sick or Get Fired, Employers Cut Sick Leave

[07/21/08] Gas Prices Cause Employers to Compress Work Weeks

[07/28/08] L.A. Doc Gets 10 Years for 'Sweaty Palm' Scam Surgeries

[07/28/08] 'Tribal' WC Program Apparent Scam

[07/28/08] Ins. Agent Gets 7 Yrs for Selling Phony WC Policies

[07/28/08] Regs and Public Hearing on Updated Med Treatment Schedule

August 2008

[08-04-08] DWC Starts Testing of New EAMS Forms

[08-04-08] New I-9 Form Req'd As of July 1

[08-04-08] Delays Caused by EAMS Testing, Confirming Nevans & New PDRS

[08-04-08] Gruesome Lawsuit Filed Against Employer in Heat-Related Death

[08-04-08] Acting AD Nevans Confirmation Hearing Postponed

[08-04-08] Anti-Discrimination Apportionment Bill Passes Assembly Committee

[08-04-08] Possible Billion-Dollar WC Medical Billing Errors?

[08-04-08] "EAMS Ready" Says DWC's Keven Star... With "Wrinkles"

[08-04-08] DWC Posts UR Investigation Results Online

[08-04-08] Bill Increasing PD Passes Senate, Moves to Assembly

[08-11-08] 2007: 1 Bil in WC Savings, Attys Fees Down, Psyche Up

[08-11-08] DWC Tries Expediting Prep for EAMS Users

[08-11-08] QME's Dropping Like Flies

[08-11-08] WCAB Announces Public Hearings on New Rule Changes

[08-18-08] Applications for Fall QME Exam Available

[08-18-08] Largest Ever Fine for Heat Related Work Death

[08-18-08] Audio Interview With AMA 6th's Dr. Brigham

[08-18-08] Angry Worker's Plan Against Employer Ends in Guilty Verdict

[08-18-08] Garamendi Announces Candidacy, Is WC at Stake?

[08-18-08] EAMS Director Keven Star Called to Active Duty

[08-18-08] WalMart's Anti-Obama Campaign?

[08-25-08] EAMS Regs Revised, Posted for Public Comment

[08-25-08] Apple Accused of Not Paying Overtime

September 2008

[09-02-08] Sign Up for State Bar Convention, September 2008

[09-02-08] EAMS "Launching" Schedule Announced

[09-02-08] Jury Convicts WC Atty Killer

[09-02-08] Arnold's State Firings: HUGE DWC Impact

[09-02-08] New Report on Firefighter Fatalities

[09-02-08] SCIF Hires Key Execs, Bypasses Gov & Legis.

[09-02-08] Son Guilty of Getting Dead Dad's WC Money

[09-02-08] Good Advice About Workplace Violence

[09-02-08] What Employers Can't Make Workers Sign

[09-02-08] Did Arnold Break Law Firing Temp Workers?

[09-02-08] Budget Impasse: Some WC Relief, Mostly Grief

[09-08-08] Labor Commiss. to Deputies: Follow Brinker!

[09-08-08] Trial Begins for Chiro's Use of Anesthesia

[09-08-08] Why Is State Fund Hiding Prez's Pay Package?

[09-08-08] Governor Ignores Key WC Bills

[09-08-08] New Online Tools Rank Hospital Deaths

[09-08-08] Is State Fund Hiding Prez's Hiring Bonus?

[09-08-08] Cal/OSHA Targets Heat-Related Businesses

[09-08-08] 2008 WC Stats Show Rates, Revenue Down

[09-15-08] 2007 Work Deaths at 16-Yr Low

[09-15-08] 7-Yr WC Fraud Sentence Called 'Deterrent'

[09-15-08] Congressional Inquiry of Giant L.A. Local Union

[09-15-08] Heat-Death Labor Company Surrenders License

[09-15-08] Download New DWC English, Spanish Notices

[09-15-08] EAMS Online Help Available

[09-15-08] DWC's Latest Bulletin on EAMS Launch

[09-15-08] More Employers Targeted for Heat-Related Violations

[09-22-08] EEOC Posts Guides on Conduct Reviews & ADA

[09-22-08] State Cracks Down on Misclassifying Truck Drivers

[09-22-08] 9 WC Bills, 800+ Others, Held Hostage by Budget Fight

[09-22-08] Important Info On New EAMS Filings -- DWC Says Start Using Now

[09-22-08] Disaster Aid Volunteers Without Coverage During Budget Crisis

[09-22-08] Budget Deal Announced But Arnold Will Veto

[09-22-08] CAAA Proposes FEC Changes to Rating Schedule

[09-29-08] Look Out, Arnold. This Recall Drive is Serious!

[09-29-08] Chamber of Commerce Opposes Governor Recall

October 2008

[10-06-08] Cal/OSHA Issues Guides on Indoor Wildfire Smoke

[10-06-08] Carrie Nevans Probably Gone as DWC Adm. Director

[10-06-08] Company to Pay $1.4 Mil for Overtime & Rest Violations

[10-06-08] Soc. Sec. Series: 11 Biggest Mistakes Claimants Make

[10-06-08] Big WC Premium Rate Increase Proposed

[10-06-08] EAMS Goes Live!! DWC Posts Adminst. Names

[10-06-08] Latest WC Bills Opposed by Business

[10-06-08] Unemployment Benefits Fund Insolvent

[10-06-08] DWC Answers Latest EAMS Questions

[10-13-08] 2 SCIF Bills Signed, Others Face Likely Veto

[10-13-08] Employers Committing More WC Fraud?

[10-13-08] Employer-Sponsored Health Care Costs Rising

[10-13-08] Most Laid Off State Workers Won't Be Back

[10-20-08] User-Friendly Aid for Heat Illness Training Available from DIR

[10-20-08] With EAMS Bottleneck, Maybe This Will Help

[10-20-08] MD Admits Conspiracy with Chiro in WC Fraud Trial

[10-20-08] SCIF Quickly Fills New Exempt Positions

[10-20-08] 2nd Qtr WC Stats Show Claims Down, Costs Up

[10-20-08] Caregiver, Daughter Collected Dead Worker's Benefits, Plead Guilty

[10-20-08] AB 10 Now Law, Changes 'Overtime' for Execs

[10-27-08] Audio Overview of EAMS (K. Star & J. Harter)

[10-27-08] EAMS Forms, Examples & Paper File Submission Memo Posted

[10-27-08] WCIRB Posts New Cost Analysis on New Laws

[10-27-08] DWC Advances $2 Mil for EAMS Delays

[10-27-08] Bush Signs ADA Amendments Act

[10-27-08] Congrats to This Year's WC Award Winners!

[10-27-08] Nevans A.D. Nomination Withdrawn

[10-27-08] EAMS Bottleneck May Worsen Before Improving

November 2008

[11-03-08] Most Employers Clueless on Pitfalls of Self-Insured Programs

[11-03-08] List of WC Bills Signed & Vetoed

[11-03-08] NEW: Medicare Set-Asides Can't Be Closed

[11-03-08] Former Sacramento School Employee Sentenced in WC Fraud Case

[11-03-08] EAMS Insider to Be Posted Bi-Weekly, Read 10/6 Edition

[11-03-08] WC Judges' New Ethics Rules Take Effect 9/24!

[11-03-08] Gov Vetoes Bill Banning UR Conflicts, CAAA Comments

[11-03-08] New WCAB Online Case Search Tool

[11-03-08] How Best to Manage Chronic Pain?

[11-03-08] Rumors Fly on Future of 'E-Forms' and EAMS

[11-10-08] Ventura Gets Serious About No WC Insurance

[11-10-08] Self Ins. Group Offers Strong Rebuttal to Anti-Self-Ins. 'Study'

[11-10-08] FedEx 'Misclassified' Employees Get $14.4 Mil

[11-10-08] Casualty of War: 2400% Increase in Fed WC Costs

[11-10-08] SCIF Searching for Chief Investment Officer

[11-10-08] Social Security: Personality Disorders as Disability

[11-10-08] Construction Firms Latest Labor Enforcement Target

[11-17-08] WC Costs Being Shifted to Taxpayers

[11-17-08] New Long-Range EAMS Timeline Unveiled

[11-17-08] Ins. Dept. Approves 5% WC Rate Increase, Nixes Proposed 16%

[11-17-08] 17 MPN's Revoked, See Updated MPN List

[11-17-08] Nevans Announces No New PDRS This January

[11-24-08] Don't Expect Post-Election Changes in Workers' Comp Laws

[11-24-08] Carriers Not Happy With 5% Ins. Dept.'s Rate Hike

[11-24-08] State Workers Stressing Gov's Special Session

[11-24-08] Insurance Agent Gets 10 Years for WC Fraud

December 2008

[12-01-08] State Fund's Board Holding First Public Meeting EVER

[12-01-08] Voc. Rehab Series: New Installment

[12-01-08] State Fund Offers Help to Policyholders in Fire Areas

[12-01-08] State Fund Ignores Ins. Dept., Raises Rates 9%

[12-01-08] Cal/Osha Issues Alert for Flu Shot Syringes

[12-01-08] Will Wall Street Bring Down Citigroup's Travelers?

[12-01-08] Farms, Nurseries, Dairies Latest Targets in Labor Law Sweep

[12-01-08] Voc Rehab's 'Sunset' Approaching

[12-08-08] DWC Looking for New Executive Medical Director

[12-08-08] Former SF Firefighter Arrested Over $140K WC Fraud

[12-08-08] State Fund Goes Hollywood, Kind Of

[12-08-08] Gov. Appoints Nevans 'Deputy' AD, Skirts Senate

[12-08-08] DWC Fund Assessment Rates Posted (& Go Up)

[12-08-08] DWC Opens Registration for 16th Annual Educational Conference

[12-08-08] Newspaper Settles Class Action Suit by Its Deliverers

[12-15-08] Insurance Scammer Skips Sentencing, Commits Suicide

[12-15-08] L.A. Jury Awards Largest Fed WC Railroad Worker Verdict EVER

[12-15-08] State Fund's First Open Meeting Raises Questions

[12-15-08] Zenith Requests Small Rate Hike, See Them ALL Here

[12-22-08] New Report: WC Hospital Stays Way Down

[12-22-08] Mervyn's Self-Insured WC Program in Default

[12-22-08] Editorial: The Foolishness of Cost-Cutting Workplace Safety

[12-22-08] Mileage Rates Going DOWN

[12-22-08] Nunez: Latest State Politician Adopted By Insurance Industry

[12-22-08] New Family Leave Act Rule Published

[12-22-08] WC Drug Rx Costs Coming Down

[12-29-08] 15 Changes Employers Can Expect Under Obama

[12-29-08] New Forms for QME Regs Posted

[12-29-08] Denial of Benefits in Racial Murder Case Goes National

[12-29-08] WCIRB Report: Claims Down, Expenses Up

[12-29-08] L.A. Staffing Firm Accused of Multi-Million Fraud Against State Fund

[12-29-08] No New Trial for Central Cal Chiro Doing MUA Procedures

[12-29-08] Is State Disability Subsidizing Workers' Comp?

[12-29-08] New Ambulance Rates for Official Medical Fee Schedule