January 17, 2025 – Update EAMS: To advance its modernization efforts, the DWC is enhancing its case management system. They invite interested parties to participate in a Request for Information (RFI) aimed at improving the Electronic Adjudication Management System (EAMS). Specifically, this initiative will: Objectives of the RFI The RFI has several key objectives: Key […]
DWC Requests Information to Update EAMS Read Post »
January 16, 2025 – New California Laws: As the nation prepares for potential policy changes under President-elect Donald Trump’s “Make America Healthy Again” initiative, California, the most populous state and largest health care market, is bracing for its own set of adjustments. With supermajorities in both legislative houses, California Democrats passed significant health-related laws. Governor
New California Laws Target Medical Debt, AI Decisions, and Detention Centers Read Post »
January 14, 2025 – CWCI’s 61st Annual Meeting Registration Now Open. This event is set for Thursday, April 3, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Sofia Tsakopoulos Center for the Arts, also known as “the Sofia,” at 2700 Capitol Avenue in downtown Sacramento. Event Theme and Overview The theme for the 2025 meeting
CWCI’s 61st Annual Meeting Registration Now Open Read Post »
January 13, 2025 – Dermatologicals Costliest Drug Group: Recent findings from the California Workers’ Compensation Institute (CWCI) reveal significant changes. These changes are in the drug prescription patterns for injured workers in California. Notably, anti-inflammatory medications remain the most frequently prescribed drugs, while dermatologicals have emerged as the most expensive drug group, driven by high-cost,
Dermatologicals Become the Costliest Drug Group in California Workers’ Compensation Read Post »
January 10, 2025 – Disability Discrimination Case : A federal court in California has ruled in favor of Costco Wholesale Corp., dismissing a lawsuit brought by Margarita Zamora, a former employee who claimed wrongful termination and violations of the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA). The case, Margarita Zamora v. Costco Wholesale Corp., was filed
Costco Prevails in Disability Discrimination Case Read Post »
January 8, 2025 – Applications for Qualified Medical Evaluator: The Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) has opened the application process for the Qualified Medical Evaluator (QME) examination, which will take place from April 5 to April 11, 2025. This examination enables medical professionals to become certified as QMEs, allowing them to significantly contribute to the
January 8, 2025 – The Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) has recently made significant improvements to its free online educational training modules, available on its website. These updates aim to enhance understanding and practicality, providing comprehensive resources for the workers’ compensation community. As a result, stakeholders can stay informed about the latest practices and regulations.
DWC Enhances Online Education Modules for Workers’ Compensation Community Read Post »
January 8, 2025 – Cal/OSHA is reminding employers to take necessary steps to safeguard workers from unhealthy air caused by wildfire smoke. The Palisades Fire is currently affecting air quality in the Pacific Palisades area, and updates on the fire’s status, road closures, and evacuation orders can be found on the California Department of Forestry
January 7, 2025 – The Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) and its California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) have cited Safeway with $182,000 in proposed penalties for significant safety violations. These violations endangered approximately 1,700 workers at Safeway’s Tracy Distribution Center, their largest warehouse in the nation. Largest Warehouse in Tracy Cal/OSHA issued
Cal/OSHA Cites Safeway for Exposing Workers to Hazards at Largest Warehouse in Tracy Read Post »
January 6, 2025 – The Justice Department recently announced that a physician from an Inland Empire medical company has agreed to plead guilty to conspiring to defraud California’s workers’ compensation fund of millions of dollars. The physician, who had been suspended due to a prior health care fraud conviction, continued to work on workers’ compensation
CA Doctor to Plead Guilty to Conspiring with Attorney to Defraud SIBTF of $3 Million Read Post »
