On March 22, 2023, the California Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) issued an En Banc ruling regarding the end of our state’s COVID-19 emergency. (Case No. MISC. NO. 268). Below, our California workers’ compensation defense lawyers highlight the essential things that you should know about the recent WCAB updated guidance regarding COVID-19 emergency workers’ compensation […]
Employers in California are legally obligated to purchase and maintain no-fault workers’ compensation insurance coverage (Labor Code § 3700). As an employer, you have certain legal obligations under our state’s workers’ compensation laws. Failure to abide by these duties could lead to a number of different legal problems. In this article, our Bakersfield workers’ compensation […]
According to a report from Insurance Journal, a Georgia business owner and another man from Atlanta have been sentenced as part of a multi-million dollar workers’ compensation fraud scheme in California. Wesley Owens and Beau Wilson both pleaded no contest to felony workers’ compensation fraud charges. Here, our Fresno workers’ compensation defense attorney discusses the […]
On April 3, 2023, National Nurses United published a press release on the call for California lawmakers to pass Assembly Bill 1156 (AB 1156). A proposed reform to our state’s workers’ compensation laws, the bill was authored by Mia Bonta (Democrat, Oakland) and it is being sponsored by California’s largest labor union for nurses (California […]
Workplace accidents happen. The State of California Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) reports that 161,860 workers filed for benefits for nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses in 2020 alone. Even an employer that follows all of the best workplace safety practices could still end up facing a workers’ compensation claim. It is crucial that employers understand […]
An employee who was hurt on the job in California has a right to file for no-fault workers’ compensation benefits. As an employer, you are required to obtain and maintain the proper workers’ compensation insurance coverage for your employees. Employers cannot discriminate against an employee who was injured on the job or retaliate against an […]
California law requires private businesses and organizations to obtain and maintain no-fault workers’ compensation insurance coverage for their employees. Employers can join the state’s workers’ compensation system by purchasing a legally compliant policy, or they can opt to operate as a “self-insured” employer. Below, our Sacramento workers’ compensation defense attorneys offer a guide to the […]
According to a report from the California Globe, a recently proposed state law (California Senate Bill 636 (SB 636)) would require the use of a California-licensed physician for a utilization review in a workers’ compensation claim. Within this article, our Bakersfield workers’ compensation defense attorney highlights the key things employers, claims administrators, and insurance companies […]
According to reporting from Insurance Journal, a recent analysis published by the Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau (WCIRB) found that nearly half of the workers’ compensation claims filed within the health care industry were due to COVID-19. However, on an industry-wide basis, workers’ compensation rates in the industry remain below the state average. In this […]
The burden of proof matters in any legal case. It determines who has the obligation to provide evidence in a claim. In California, the burden of proof for a workers’ compensation claim generally rests on the injured worker. They have the responsibility to prove the following: However, the burden of proof flips in certain cases […]
