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 […]
WCAB Clarifies: No Automatic QME Replacement for Appointment Delays Read Post »
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
Pure Premium Rate: CDI Sets June 10 Hearing on WCIRB Filing Read Post »
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
Prevent Heat Illness: Cal/OSHA Urges Action as Temperatures Rise Read Post »
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
Reproductive Toxicity Claim Rejected in Solvent Exposure Lawsuit Read Post »
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
Heart Presumption Expansion Bill Advances for California State Hospital Workers Read Post »
May 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 Positive After 20-Foot Fall The
Marijuana Use Disputed in Rooftop Fall Injury Claim Read Post »
May 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 worst performance in 14 years.
WCIRB Projects Highest Combined Ratio in 14 Years Read Post »
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
Court Revives Injured Worker’s Claims Read Post »
May 14, 2025 | MedLegalNews.com — Workers’ Comp Rate: The California Department of Insurance (CDI) has scheduled a public hearing for June 10, 2025, to review the latest workers’ compensation insurance rate filing. The proceeding will assess the Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau’s (WCIRB) proposed changes to the advisory pure premium rates. Purpose of the
Workers’ Comp Rate Filing Hearing Scheduled by CDI for June 10 Read Post »
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
Postjudgment Filing Extension Upheld by Supreme Court Read Post »
