California Updates PQME Rules: What It Means for Injured Workers

California Updates PQME Rules: What It Means for Injured Workers

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December 5, 2025 | Sacramento, CA — MedLegalNews.com — California workers’ compensation officials have implemented updates to the Panel Qualified Medical Evaluator (PQME) rules. The changes affect scheduling deadlines, evaluation locations, and procedural compliance — all crucial factors for workers navigating claims. New Scheduling Deadlines The updated rules require that medical‑legal evaluations with PQMEs must […]

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DLI Corrects Disability Pension, No Unreasonable Delay Found

DLI Corrects Disability Pension, No Unreasonable Delay Found

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December 3, 2025 | Sacramento, CA — MedLegalNews.com — California’s Department of Labor & Industries (DLI) recently addressed a case involving the recalculation of an injured worker’s disability pension. The ruling determined that while the initial calculation was incorrect, the agency did not unreasonably delay payment of benefits. The decision underscores the importance of accuracy

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Washington Court Says DLI Properly Calculated Disability Pension, No Unreasonable Delay

Washington Court Says DLI Properly Calculated Disability Pension, No Unreasonable Delay

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November 26, 2025 | Washington, D.C — MedLegalNews.com — A Washington appellate panel has ruled that the state Department of Labor and Industries (DLI) correctly recalculated a paramedic’s disability pension benefits and did not engage in any intentional or unjustified delay while issuing his retroactive payments. The decision in Yetter v. Department of Labor and

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AB 1415: New California Healthcare Transparency Law Takes Effect in 2026

AB 1415: New California Healthcare Transparency Law Takes Effect in 2026

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November 24, 2025 | Sacramento, CA – MedLegalNews.com — California lawmakers are taking a bold step to protect physician autonomy and patient care as SB 351 and AB 1415 prepare to take effect on January 1, 2026. These landmark laws target private equity, hedge funds, and management services organizations (MSOs) exerting nonclinical control over medical practices. SB

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NY Court Rejects School Custodian’s COVID-19 Workers’ Comp Claim

NY Court Rejects School Custodian’s COVID-19 Workers’ Comp Claim

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November 21, 2025 | New York, NY — MedLegalNews.com — A recent appellate decision in New York sheds light on the high standard that workers compensation claimants must meet to prove COVID-19 exposure at work. In a case closely watched for its impact on any COVID-19 compensation claim New York workers may file, the court

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CMA Backs Bill to Expand Physician Network for IMEs and QMEs

CMA Backs Bill to Expand Physician Network for IMEs and QMEs

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November 19, 2025 | Sacramento, CA – MedLegalNews.com — The California Medical Association (CMA) has announced its support for a new legislative proposal designed to address the growing shortage of Independent Medical Evaluators (IMEs) and Qualified Medical Evaluators (QMEs) across the state. The measure seeks to streamline certification pathways, modernize training requirements, and attract more

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Georgia Appeals Court Revives Malpractice Case Against Regional Hospital

Georgia Appeals Court Revives Malpractice Case Against Regional Hospital

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November 17, 2025 | Atlanta, GA — MedLegalNews.com — A Georgia appellate panel has revived a medical malpractice lawsuit filed against a regional medical center, ruling that the lower court improperly dismissed the case over alleged procedural technicalities. The decision could have broad implications for plaintiffs’ rights in malpractice litigation across the state. The lawsuit

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DWC Revises Inpatient Hospital Fee Schedule to Reflect Medicare Updates

DWC Revises Inpatient Hospital Fee Schedule to Reflect Medicare Updates

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November 14, 2025 | Sacramento, CA — MedLegalNews.com – DWC inpatient hospital update details were confirmed as the California Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) announced an adjustment to the inpatient hospital section of the Official Medical Fee Schedule (OMFS) to align with recent changes to the Medicare payment system, as mandated under Labor Code Section

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Telehealth Evaluations Gain Ground in California Med-Legal Cases

Telehealth Evaluations Gain Ground in California Med-Legal Cases

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November 12, 2025 | Los Angeles, CA — MedLegalNews.com — The California Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) is considering making telehealth a permanent option for med-legal evaluations, following widespread adoption during and after the pandemic. Officials say telehealth has improved access to qualified medical evaluators (QMEs) for injured workers, especially those in rural and underserved

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CWCI Report: Complex Claims Driving 2025 Workers’ Comp Costs

CWCI Report: Complex Claims Driving 2025 Workers’ Comp Costs

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November 10, 2025 | Oakland, CA — MedLegalNews.com — A new report from the California Workers’ Compensation Institute (CWCI) reveals that complex injury claims—particularly those involving long COVID, mental health components, and multiple comorbidities—are driving up workers’ compensation costs across California. The analysis, based on claim data from 2022 to mid-2025, highlights a significant post-pandemic

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