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CA Standards Board Votes to Adopt Permanent Standard on Silica Hazards
Sacramento, CA – The California Occupational Safety…
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CA Commissioner Lara Announces Reappointments to CIGA Board of Governors
Sacramento, CA – Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara…
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Workers’ Compensation Claims in the Presence of Comorbidities
According to the CDC, 11.6% of Americans…
Foreign MDs Find Path to US Residency Placement in Med-Legal Industry
Sacramento, CA – A California based Med-Legal Exam firm has embraced an innovative staffing model
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State Certified Interpreters in California’s Workers’ Compensation
Jennifer BauderAddressing Language Barriers with State Certified Interpreters Non-English-speaking injured workers in California’s Workers’ Compensation system often face unnecessary challenges due to the lack of state certified interpreters during critical stages of their cases. These challenges, highlighted by Language Access for Injured Workers (LAIW), significantly impact the integrity of medical-legal evaluations…
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Attorneys in California’s Workers’ Compensation System
Key Roles in California’s Workers’ Compensation System Within California’s Workers’ Compensation system, two essential types of attorneys play significant roles: applicant attorneys and defense attorneys. These professionals represent opposing sides in workers’ compensation claims, each advocating for their clients’ interests. Applicant attorneys focus on securing benefits for injured workers, while…
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A Guide to the Subsequent Injuries Benefits Trust Fund (SIBTF)
The Subsequent Injuries Benefits Trust Fund (SIBTF), established in 1945 at the end of World War II, encourages employers to hire returning disabled veterans. At the time, employers worried they might bear full financial responsibility if a previously disabled veteran faced re-injury on the job. The SIBTF alleviated this concern…
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Cal/OSHA Cites Harbor Animal Services Center $563,250 for Willful Violations After Worker Mauled
Los Angeles—The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) has imposed $563,250 in penalties on Harbor Animal Services Center in San Pedro, California. This significant citation stems from the employer’s failure to address overcrowding at the shelter, which directly led to multiple employee injuries, including a severe mauling incident on May 31, 2024. The…
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CA Vocational CEO Appears in Court on 23 Charges of Insurance Fraud
Los Angeles, CA — In a developing case of insurance fraud, authorities brought Hazel Ortega, CEO of one of California’s largest vocational return-to-work counseling centers, to court to face 23 felony charges. The charges include insurance fraud, theft, and forgery, stemming from allegations that she defrauded at least four insurance companies. Allegations in Vocational CEO…
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CA Man Sentenced for Workers’ Compensation Insurance Fraud
Sacramento, CA — In a decisive case highlighting the ongoing challenges of workers’ compensation insurance fraud, authorities sentenced Gustavo Cisneros for defrauding his employer and their insurance company out of more than $70,000. The Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office Insurance Fraud Unit announced that Cisneros pled no contest to felony insurance fraud. Sentencing and Restitution…
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Maybourne Beverly Hills Cited $4.4 Million for Worker Recall Law Violations
Jennifer BauderSacramento—A Historic Fine for Worker Recall Law Breaches The Maybourne Beverly Hills, a renowned luxury resort, faces a $4.4 million penalty from the California Labor Commissioner’s Office (LCO) for violating the state’s Worker Recall Law. This law requires hospitality employers to prioritize rehiring employees laid off during the COVID-19 pandemic.…
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Sacramento—A Historic Fine for Worker Recall Law Breaches The Maybourne Beverly Hills, a renowned luxury resort, faces a $4.4 million…
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Applicant Credibility in California Workers’ Compensation Cases
Jennifer BauderApplicant credibility plays a crucial role in both the success of a Workers’ Compensation claim and the Qualified Medical Evaluator’s (QME) ability to provide an accurate, well-supported medical opinion. A truthful and consistent narrative allows the QME to conduct a thorough and impartial evaluation, ensuring reliable conclusions. Industrial causation depends…
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Understanding Ex Parte Communication in California Workers’ Compensation Cases
In California’s Workers’ Compensation system, rules governing communication between parties and medical evaluators, such as Qualified Medical Evaluators (QMEs) and Agreed Medical Evaluators (AMEs), are essential for ensuring fairness. Central to this framework is the prohibition of ex parte communication, a critical safeguard against bias or undue influence. What Is Ex Parte Communication? Ex parte…
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Commission on Health and Safety and Workers’ Compensation (CHSWC) Meeting Insights
The CHSWC meeting, originally set for March 22, 2024, has been postponed. The meeting will now take place on May 15, 2024, at 10 a.m. in the Elihu Harris State Building Auditorium. The meeting agenda includes the Draft 2023 CHSWC Annual Report and the Draft 2023 WOSHTEP Annual Report. These reports will highlight key achievements…
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CA Standards Board Votes to Adopt Permanent Standard on Silica Hazards
Sacramento, CA – The California Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board has unanimously voted to adopt a permanent standard on silica hazards, prioritizing worker safety in industries prone to silica exposure, particularly those working with artificial stone. Protecting Workers from Silica Hazards This decision underscores the urgent need to safeguard workers who fabricate countertops and…
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CA Standards Board Votes to Adopt Permanent Standard on Silica Hazards
Sacramento, CA – The California Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board has unanimously voted to adopt a permanent standard on silica hazards, prioritizing worker safety in industries prone to silica exposure, particularly those working with artificial stone. Protecting Workers from Silica Hazards This decision underscores the urgent need to safeguard workers who fabricate countertops and…
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CA Commissioner Lara Announces Reappointments to CIGA Board of Governors
Sacramento, CA – Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara has reappointed several key members to the California Insurance Guarantee Association (CIGA) Board of Governors, further emphasizing the California Department of Insurance’s commitment to protecting consumers. Key Reappointments to Strengthen CIGA Leadership To enhance leadership, Commissioner Lara announced the reappointments of Richard de la Mora, Jennifer Schnittjer, and…
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Workers’ Compensation Claims in the Presence of Comorbidities
According to the CDC, 11.6% of Americans have diabetes mellitus, nearly half have hypertension, and 42% are obese. These and many other conditions often co-occur as comorbidities, complicating the health landscape of America’s workforce. The presence of comorbidities not only heightens the risk of workplace injuries but also delays recovery and prolongs return-to-work timelines. Common…
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State Certified Interpreters in California’s Workers’ Compensation
Addressing Language Barriers with State Certified Interpreters Non-English-speaking injured workers in California’s Workers’ Compensation system often face unnecessary challenges due to the lack of state certified interpreters during critical stages of their cases. These challenges, highlighted by Language Access for Injured Workers (LAIW), significantly impact the integrity of medical-legal evaluations and the rights of injured…
-
Attorneys in California’s Workers’ Compensation System
Key Roles in California’s Workers’ Compensation System Within California’s Workers’ Compensation system, two essential types of attorneys play significant roles: applicant attorneys and defense attorneys. These professionals represent opposing sides in workers’ compensation claims, each advocating for their clients’ interests. Applicant attorneys focus on securing benefits for injured workers, while defense attorneys aim to protect…
-
A Guide to the Subsequent Injuries Benefits Trust Fund (SIBTF)
The Subsequent Injuries Benefits Trust Fund (SIBTF), established in 1945 at the end of World War II, encourages employers to hire returning disabled veterans. At the time, employers worried they might bear full financial responsibility if a previously disabled veteran faced re-injury on the job. The SIBTF alleviated this concern by ensuring employers were only…
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Cal/OSHA Cites Harbor Animal Services Center $563,250 for Willful Violations After Worker Mauled
Los Angeles—The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) has imposed $563,250 in penalties on Harbor Animal Services Center in San Pedro, California. This significant citation stems from the employer’s failure to address overcrowding at the shelter, which directly led to multiple employee injuries, including a severe mauling incident on May 31, 2024. The…
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CA Vocational CEO Appears in Court on 23 Charges of Insurance Fraud
Los Angeles, CA — In a developing case of insurance fraud, authorities brought Hazel Ortega, CEO of one of California’s largest vocational return-to-work counseling centers, to court to face 23 felony charges. The charges include insurance fraud, theft, and forgery, stemming from allegations that she defrauded at least four insurance companies. Allegations in Vocational CEO…
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CA Man Sentenced for Workers’ Compensation Insurance Fraud
Sacramento, CA — In a decisive case highlighting the ongoing challenges of workers’ compensation insurance fraud, authorities sentenced Gustavo Cisneros for defrauding his employer and their insurance company out of more than $70,000. The Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office Insurance Fraud Unit announced that Cisneros pled no contest to felony insurance fraud. Sentencing and Restitution…
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Cal/OSHA Issues $276,425 Penalty for Willful Heat Violation
Sacramento—A Landmark Enforcement Action The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) has imposed $276,425 in penalties on Parkwood Landscape Maintenance in Van Nuys, California, for deliberate violations of heat illness prevention regulations. This action marks the first citation for a serious willful heat violation, underscoring the state’s commitment to worker safety amid rising…
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CA Standards Board Votes to Adopt Permanent Standard on Silica Hazards
Sacramento, CA – The California Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board has unanimously voted to adopt a permanent standard on silica hazards, prioritizing worker safety in industries prone to silica exposure, particularly those working with artificial stone. Protecting Workers from Silica Hazards This decision underscores the urgent need to safeguard workers who fabricate countertops and…
-
CA Commissioner Lara Announces Reappointments to CIGA Board of Governors
Sacramento, CA – Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara has reappointed several key members to the California Insurance Guarantee Association (CIGA) Board of Governors, further emphasizing the California Department of Insurance’s commitment to protecting consumers. Key Reappointments to Strengthen CIGA Leadership To enhance leadership, Commissioner Lara announced the reappointments of Richard de la Mora, Jennifer Schnittjer, and…
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Workers’ Compensation Claims in the Presence of Comorbidities
According to the CDC, 11.6% of Americans have diabetes mellitus, nearly half have hypertension, and 42% are obese. These and many other conditions often co-occur as comorbidities, complicating the health landscape of America’s workforce. The presence of comorbidities not only heightens the risk of workplace injuries but also delays recovery and prolongs return-to-work timelines. Common…
-
State Certified Interpreters in California’s Workers’ Compensation
Addressing Language Barriers with State Certified Interpreters Non-English-speaking injured workers in California’s Workers’ Compensation system often face unnecessary challenges due to the lack of state certified interpreters during critical stages of their cases. These challenges, highlighted by Language Access for Injured Workers (LAIW), significantly impact the integrity of medical-legal evaluations and the rights of injured…
-
Attorneys in California’s Workers’ Compensation System
Key Roles in California’s Workers’ Compensation System Within California’s Workers’ Compensation system, two essential types of attorneys play significant roles: applicant attorneys and defense attorneys. These professionals represent opposing sides in workers’ compensation claims, each advocating for their clients’ interests. Applicant attorneys focus on securing benefits for injured workers, while defense attorneys aim to protect…
-
A Guide to the Subsequent Injuries Benefits Trust Fund (SIBTF)
The Subsequent Injuries Benefits Trust Fund (SIBTF), established in 1945 at the end of World War II, encourages employers to hire returning disabled veterans. At the time, employers worried they might bear full financial responsibility if a previously disabled veteran faced re-injury on the job. The SIBTF alleviated this concern by ensuring employers were only…
-
Cal/OSHA Cites Harbor Animal Services Center $563,250 for Willful Violations After Worker Mauled
Los Angeles—The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) has imposed $563,250 in penalties on Harbor Animal Services Center in San Pedro, California. This significant citation stems from the employer’s failure to address overcrowding at the shelter, which directly led to multiple employee injuries, including a severe mauling incident on May 31, 2024. The…
-
CA Vocational CEO Appears in Court on 23 Charges of Insurance Fraud
Los Angeles, CA — In a developing case of insurance fraud, authorities brought Hazel Ortega, CEO of one of California’s largest vocational return-to-work counseling centers, to court to face 23 felony charges. The charges include insurance fraud, theft, and forgery, stemming from allegations that she defrauded at least four insurance companies. Allegations in Vocational CEO…
-
CA Man Sentenced for Workers’ Compensation Insurance Fraud
Sacramento, CA — In a decisive case highlighting the ongoing challenges of workers’ compensation insurance fraud, authorities sentenced Gustavo Cisneros for defrauding his employer and their insurance company out of more than $70,000. The Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office Insurance Fraud Unit announced that Cisneros pled no contest to felony insurance fraud. Sentencing and Restitution…
-
Cal/OSHA Issues $276,425 Penalty for Willful Heat Violation
Sacramento—A Landmark Enforcement Action The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) has imposed $276,425 in penalties on Parkwood Landscape Maintenance in Van Nuys, California, for deliberate violations of heat illness prevention regulations. This action marks the first citation for a serious willful heat violation, underscoring the state’s commitment to worker safety amid rising…