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Assembly Bill 1870 Expands Employer Obligations for Workers’ Compensation Notices
June 11, 2025 | Sacramento, CA –…
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California Supreme Court Upholds Reinstatement of Death Benefits in Workers’ Compensation Case
June 9, 2025 | San Francisco, CA…
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San Jose Security Firm Owner Sentenced for $3.4 Million Workers’ Compensation Fraud
June 6, 2025 | San Jose, CA…
AB 1329: California Moves to Reform SIBTF and Curb Soaring Workers’ Comp Costs
April 23, 2025 | MedLegalNews.com — California lawmakers are advancing Assembly Bill 1329 (Ortega)
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California DWC Implements New MTUS and Fee Schedule Regulations Effective June 1, 2025
Jennifer BauderJune 5, 2025 | MedLegalNews.com – Effective June 1, 2025, the California DWC MTUS Fee Schedule 2025 updates take effect, introducing important changes to treatment guidelines and reimbursement rates across the state’s workers’ compensation system. These changes aim to align treatment protocols with current medical evidence and adjust reimbursement rates…
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CA Seeks to Improve QME Reports in Workers’ Compensation System
June 4, 2025 | MedLegalNews.com – SACRAMENTO, CA — California is taking decisive action to address the long-standing problem of inconsistent and often inadequate Qualified Medical Evaluator (QME) reports within its workers’ compensation system. These reports, crucial for determining benefits and resolving disputes, have frequently fallen short of the “substantial…
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WCAB Clarifies: No Automatic QME Replacement for Appointment Delays
May 21, 2025 | Los Angeles, CA — MedLegalNews.com – The Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) has issued an en banc ruling in Vazquez v. Inocensio Renteria, clarifying that a party is not automatically entitled to a QME replacement panel if a Qualified Medical Evaluator (QME) cannot schedule an appointment…
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Pure Premium Rate: CDI Sets June 10 Hearing on WCIRB Filing
May 19, 2025 | Oakland, CA — MedLegalNews.com – Pure Premium Rate: The California Department of Insurance (CDI) will hold a virtual public hearing on June 10, 2025, at 1:00 PM PT to review the Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau of California (WCIRB) Pure Premium Rate Filing, which proposes changes effective September 1, 2025. WCIRB…
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Prevent Heat Illness: Cal/OSHA Urges Action as Temperatures Rise
May 19, 2025 | Fresno, CA — MedLegalNews.com — Prevent Heat Illness: With temperatures rising across California, Cal/OSHA is reminding employers of their legal duty to protect workers from heat-related illness at both indoor and outdoor worksites. Heat illness can lead to serious medical conditions and even death if not properly prevented. Statewide Efforts to…
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Reproductive Toxicity Claim Rejected in Solvent Exposure Lawsuit
May 16, 2025 | MedLegalNews.com — Reproductive Toxicity Claim: A California appellate court has upheld the denial of a worker’s claim that solvent exposure at work caused reproductive harm, finding insufficient medical evidence to support the allegation. Background: Claim Based on Alleged Chemical Exposure The claimant, employed as an assembly line technician, alleged that routine…
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Marijuana Use Disputed in Rooftop Fall Injury Claim
Jennifer BauderMay 15, 2025 | MedLegalNews.com — Marijuana Use Disputed: A California appellate court has affirmed the denial of workers’ compensation benefits for a roofing worker who tested positive for marijuana after falling from a rooftop. The worker failed to prove the drug did not contribute to the accident. Roofer Tests…
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May 15, 2025 | MedLegalNews.com — Marijuana Use Disputed: A California appellate court has affirmed the denial of workers’ compensation…
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WCIRB Projects Highest Combined Ratio in 14 Years
Jennifer BauderMay 15, 2025 | MedLegalNews.com — California’s Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau (WCIRB) is forecasting the state’s highest combined ratio in over a decade, raising concerns about the financial health of the workers’ compensation system. In a recent update, WCIRB projected a combined ratio of 116% for 2024, marking the…
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Court Revives Injured Worker’s Claims
May 14, 2025 | MedLegalNews.com — Injured Worker’s Claims: A California appellate court has reinstated an injured worker’s civil claims for premises liability and negligence, ruling that a trial court erred in dismissing the case without fully considering key factual disputes. Background: Injury at a Worksite The plaintiff, a contract worker, was injured while performing…
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Postjudgment Filing Extension Upheld by Supreme Court
May 13, 2025 | MedLegalNews.com — Postjudgment Filing Extension: The California Supreme Court ruled that an employer should have been granted an extension to file postjudgment motions after a civil judgment in a wage-and-hour case. The decision clarifies when trial courts must grant relief under California’s Code of Civil Procedure. Procedural Background The case involved…
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Assembly Bill 1870 Expands Employer Obligations for Workers’ Compensation Notices
June 11, 2025 | Sacramento, CA – MedLegalNews.com – AB 1870, effective January 1, 2025, significantly expands California employers’ obligations regarding workers’ compensation notices. Under the amended Labor Code Section 3550, employers must now inform employees about their right to consult with a licensed attorney for workers’ compensation claims. This law promotes transparency and helps…
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Assembly Bill 1870 Expands Employer Obligations for Workers’ Compensation Notices
June 11, 2025 | Sacramento, CA – MedLegalNews.com – AB 1870, effective January 1, 2025, significantly expands California employers’ obligations regarding workers’ compensation notices. Under the amended Labor Code Section 3550, employers must now inform employees about their right to consult with a licensed attorney for workers’ compensation claims. This law promotes transparency and helps…
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California Supreme Court Upholds Reinstatement of Death Benefits in Workers’ Compensation Case
June 9, 2025 | San Francisco, CA – MedLegalNews.com – The California Supreme Court has ruled to reinstate workers’ comp death benefits, confirming that families can qualify for compensation even if the workplace injury only contributed to an employee’s death. This key ruling strengthens workers’ rights across the state and clarifies the legal standard for…
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San Jose Security Firm Owner Sentenced for $3.4 Million Workers’ Compensation Fraud
June 6, 2025 | San Jose, CA — MedLegalNews.com — In a landmark workers’ comp fraud case, a San Jose security firm owner has been sentenced for orchestrating a $3.4 million workers’ compensation fraud scheme. This case underscores the serious consequences of underreporting wages to avoid insurance premiums and highlights ongoing enforcement efforts by the…
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California DWC Implements New MTUS and Fee Schedule Regulations Effective June 1, 2025
June 5, 2025 | MedLegalNews.com – Effective June 1, 2025, the California DWC MTUS Fee Schedule 2025 updates take effect, introducing important changes to treatment guidelines and reimbursement rates across the state’s workers’ compensation system. These changes aim to align treatment protocols with current medical evidence and adjust reimbursement rates to reflect contemporary healthcare costs.…
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CA Seeks to Improve QME Reports in Workers’ Compensation System
June 4, 2025 | MedLegalNews.com – SACRAMENTO, CA — California is taking decisive action to address the long-standing problem of inconsistent and often inadequate Qualified Medical Evaluator (QME) reports within its workers’ compensation system. These reports, crucial for determining benefits and resolving disputes, have frequently fallen short of the “substantial medical evidence” standard, leading to…
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WCAB Clarifies: No Automatic QME Replacement for Appointment Delays
May 21, 2025 | Los Angeles, CA — MedLegalNews.com – The Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) has issued an en banc ruling in Vazquez v. Inocensio Renteria, clarifying that a party is not automatically entitled to a QME replacement panel if a Qualified Medical Evaluator (QME) cannot schedule an appointment within the deadlines set by…
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Pure Premium Rate: CDI Sets June 10 Hearing on WCIRB Filing
May 19, 2025 | Oakland, CA — MedLegalNews.com – Pure Premium Rate: The California Department of Insurance (CDI) will hold a virtual public hearing on June 10, 2025, at 1:00 PM PT to review the Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau of California (WCIRB) Pure Premium Rate Filing, which proposes changes effective September 1, 2025. WCIRB…
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Prevent Heat Illness: Cal/OSHA Urges Action as Temperatures Rise
May 19, 2025 | Fresno, CA — MedLegalNews.com — Prevent Heat Illness: With temperatures rising across California, Cal/OSHA is reminding employers of their legal duty to protect workers from heat-related illness at both indoor and outdoor worksites. Heat illness can lead to serious medical conditions and even death if not properly prevented. Statewide Efforts to…
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Reproductive Toxicity Claim Rejected in Solvent Exposure Lawsuit
May 16, 2025 | MedLegalNews.com — Reproductive Toxicity Claim: A California appellate court has upheld the denial of a worker’s claim that solvent exposure at work caused reproductive harm, finding insufficient medical evidence to support the allegation. Background: Claim Based on Alleged Chemical Exposure The claimant, employed as an assembly line technician, alleged that routine…
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Heart Presumption Expansion Bill Advances for California State Hospital Workers
May 16, 2025 | MedLegalNews.com — Heart Presumption Expansion: A key California legislative committee has advanced a bill that would extend the heart trouble presumption to state hospital workers, while holding back several other workers’ compensation-related bills by placing them on the suspense file. Heart Presumption Expansion Bill Moves Forward The Assembly Insurance Committee voted…
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Assembly Bill 1870 Expands Employer Obligations for Workers’ Compensation Notices
June 11, 2025 | Sacramento, CA – MedLegalNews.com – AB 1870, effective January 1, 2025, significantly expands California employers’ obligations regarding workers’ compensation notices. Under the amended Labor Code Section 3550, employers must now inform employees about their right to consult with a licensed attorney for workers’ compensation claims. This law promotes transparency and helps…
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California Supreme Court Upholds Reinstatement of Death Benefits in Workers’ Compensation Case
June 9, 2025 | San Francisco, CA – MedLegalNews.com – The California Supreme Court has ruled to reinstate workers’ comp death benefits, confirming that families can qualify for compensation even if the workplace injury only contributed to an employee’s death. This key ruling strengthens workers’ rights across the state and clarifies the legal standard for…
-
San Jose Security Firm Owner Sentenced for $3.4 Million Workers’ Compensation Fraud
June 6, 2025 | San Jose, CA — MedLegalNews.com — In a landmark workers’ comp fraud case, a San Jose security firm owner has been sentenced for orchestrating a $3.4 million workers’ compensation fraud scheme. This case underscores the serious consequences of underreporting wages to avoid insurance premiums and highlights ongoing enforcement efforts by the…
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California DWC Implements New MTUS and Fee Schedule Regulations Effective June 1, 2025
June 5, 2025 | MedLegalNews.com – Effective June 1, 2025, the California DWC MTUS Fee Schedule 2025 updates take effect, introducing important changes to treatment guidelines and reimbursement rates across the state’s workers’ compensation system. These changes aim to align treatment protocols with current medical evidence and adjust reimbursement rates to reflect contemporary healthcare costs.…
-
CA Seeks to Improve QME Reports in Workers’ Compensation System
June 4, 2025 | MedLegalNews.com – SACRAMENTO, CA — California is taking decisive action to address the long-standing problem of inconsistent and often inadequate Qualified Medical Evaluator (QME) reports within its workers’ compensation system. These reports, crucial for determining benefits and resolving disputes, have frequently fallen short of the “substantial medical evidence” standard, leading to…
-
WCAB Clarifies: No Automatic QME Replacement for Appointment Delays
May 21, 2025 | Los Angeles, CA — MedLegalNews.com – The Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) has issued an en banc ruling in Vazquez v. Inocensio Renteria, clarifying that a party is not automatically entitled to a QME replacement panel if a Qualified Medical Evaluator (QME) cannot schedule an appointment within the deadlines set by…
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Pure Premium Rate: CDI Sets June 10 Hearing on WCIRB Filing
May 19, 2025 | Oakland, CA — MedLegalNews.com – Pure Premium Rate: The California Department of Insurance (CDI) will hold a virtual public hearing on June 10, 2025, at 1:00 PM PT to review the Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau of California (WCIRB) Pure Premium Rate Filing, which proposes changes effective September 1, 2025. WCIRB…
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Prevent Heat Illness: Cal/OSHA Urges Action as Temperatures Rise
May 19, 2025 | Fresno, CA — MedLegalNews.com — Prevent Heat Illness: With temperatures rising across California, Cal/OSHA is reminding employers of their legal duty to protect workers from heat-related illness at both indoor and outdoor worksites. Heat illness can lead to serious medical conditions and even death if not properly prevented. Statewide Efforts to…
-
Reproductive Toxicity Claim Rejected in Solvent Exposure Lawsuit
May 16, 2025 | MedLegalNews.com — Reproductive Toxicity Claim: A California appellate court has upheld the denial of a worker’s claim that solvent exposure at work caused reproductive harm, finding insufficient medical evidence to support the allegation. Background: Claim Based on Alleged Chemical Exposure The claimant, employed as an assembly line technician, alleged that routine…
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Heart Presumption Expansion Bill Advances for California State Hospital Workers
May 16, 2025 | MedLegalNews.com — Heart Presumption Expansion: A key California legislative committee has advanced a bill that would extend the heart trouble presumption to state hospital workers, while holding back several other workers’ compensation-related bills by placing them on the suspense file. Heart Presumption Expansion Bill Moves Forward The Assembly Insurance Committee voted…