June 20, 2025 | Los Angeles, CA – MedLegalNews.com – California labor grant program update: The California Labor Commissioner’s Office has officially announced the continuation of the Workers’ Rights Enforcement Grant Program, now entering its second year. This initiative provides funding to trusted community organizations that help educate and empower low-wage and vulnerable workers about […]
June 18, 2025 | Sacramento, CA – MedLegalNews.com – California lawmakers have taken a decisive step in safeguarding agricultural workers by advancing the heat injury presumption bill, which aims to strengthen farmworker protections in extreme heat conditions. The legislation, recently passed by the Assembly, would presume that any heat-related illness suffered by an agricultural worker
Farmworker Protection Legislation Advances in California Assembly Read Post »
June 16, 2025 | Sacramento, CA – MedLegalNews.com – Starting January 2025, the California Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) will roll out stricter employer insurance compliance audits targeting businesses across high-risk sectors. This enhanced auditing strategy is part of a broader regulatory push to reduce workers’ compensation fraud, improve wage accuracy, and hold noncompliant employers
DWC Tightens Employer Insurance Compliance Audits in 2025 Read Post »
June 13, 2025 | Sacramento, CA – MedLegalNews.com – California lawmakers are reviewing a groundbreaking proposal that could redefine how mental health is addressed in the state’s workers’ compensation system. The proposed changes aim to expand mental health coverage workers’ comp policies to better protect employees facing psychological harm in the workplace. This move reflects
California Lawmakers Propose Vital Expansion of Mental Health Coverage in Workers’ Comp Read Post »
June 11, 2025 | Sacramento, CA – MedLegalNews.com – California employers are now subject to new legal responsibilities under Assembly Bill 1870, which took effect on January 1, 2025. The legislation updates California workers compensation notice requirements, focusing on transparency, access to legal counsel, and multilingual accessibility. These changes aim to ensure all employees understand
AB 1870 Expands Critical California Workers’ Compensation Notice Requirements Read Post »
June 9, 2025 | San Francisco, CA – MedLegalNews.com – The California workers compensation death benefits law was reinforced this week as the California Supreme Court upheld the reinstatement of benefits for the family of a deceased employee. The ruling sets a new precedent for how contributory workplace injuries are evaluated in fatal claims. It
June 6, 2025 | San Jose, CA – MedLegalNews.com — San Jose workers compensation fraud has led to the sentencing of a local business owner, who pleaded guilty in a $3.4 million wage misreporting scheme. The case underscores the legal risks for employers who attempt to manipulate wage reporting to reduce insurance premiums. Wage Misreporting
San Jose Employer Sentenced in $3.4M Workers’ Comp Fraud Case Read Post »
June 5, 2025 |Sacramento, CA– MedLegalNews.com — California DWC fee schedule 2025 changes are now in effect as of June 1, 2025, bringing key updates to the Medical Treatment Utilization Schedule (MTUS), physician billing codes, and pharmaceutical reimbursement rates. These changes reflect the state’s ongoing commitment to modernizing workers’ compensation treatment and aligning it with
California Enacts 2025 DWC Revisions to MTUS and Fee Schedules Read Post »
June 4, 2025 | Sacramento, CA – MedLegalNews.com – 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 QME report standards are crucial for determining benefits and resolving disputes, but they have frequently fallen short of the “substantial
CA Seeks to Improve QME Reports in Workers’ Compensation System Read Post »
May 21, 2025 | Los Angeles, CA — MedLegalNews.com – QME Replacement WCAB Ruling: 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
WCAB Clarifies: No Automatic QME Replacement for Appointment Delays Read Post »
