Author Archives: Joseph Yrulegui

Is an Employer in California Considered “Uninsured” if Workers’ Compensation Coverage Expired?

In California, businesses and organizations are required to obtain and maintain no-fault workers’ compensation coverage for their employees. An employer that is uninsured is in violation of the law—and, as such, could face civil and even criminal sanctions. What happens if coverage lapses for a short period of time? The short answer is that an […]

How Long Does an Employer Have to Deny a Workers’ Compensation Claim in California?

Did an employee at your company file for workers’ compensation benefits? Employers—and their insurers and claims administrators—have the right to review the claim and approve or deny it based on the information provided. In general, the deadline to deny a workers’ compensation claim in California is 90 days. Here, our Fresno workers’ compensation defense attorney […]

Proposed Law: California Bill Would Require Employers to Notify Employees of Right to Hire Lawyer in Workers’ Compensation Claim

On January 24, 2024, Business Insurance reported that a proposed state law would require all employers to change their workers’ compensation notification to clarify and emphasize an injured worker’s right to consult with an attorney. Here, our Bakersfield workers’ compensation defense law firm provides an overview of the proposed law that would put additional obligations […]

What is the Legal Definition of Workers’ Compensation Fraud in California?

Workers’ compensation fraud is a serious issue. The California Department of Insurance estimates that fraud within the workers’ compensation system costs the state between $1 billion and $3 billion each year. This raises an important question: How is workers’ compensation fraud defined? Our Fresno workers’ compensation defense law firm answers the question by providing a […]

Contractor Sentenced in Workers’ Compensation Fraud Case in Simi Valley, California

According to a report from Hoodline, a contractor in Simi Valley was sentenced as part of a workers’ compensation fraud case. Mauricio Torres—the owner of a company called Vero’s Tree Service—was sentenced to one year of probation, fined $10,000.00, and ordered to pay financial restitution for knowingly failing to obtain mandatory workers’ compensation insurance coverage. […]

Physician in California Charged With the Filing of Fraudulent Workers’ Compensation Liens

According to a report from Business Insurance, a physician in the San Francisco Bay Area has been charged with a crime as part of a major workers’ compensation fraud case. Dr. Gary Martinovsky is facing charges for more than three dozen insurance violations. The matter is related to allegedly fraudulent medical liens. Here, our Pasadena […]

Long COVID Cited in a Significant Factor of Workers’ Compensation Claims in California

On December 27, 2023, Business Insurance reported that long COVID issues now make up a significant share of workers’ compensation claims in California. A recent study found that around six percent of all workers who filed a COVID-19-related workers’ compensation claim in the state have subsequently gone on to develop long COVID. Here, our Fresno […]

California Workers’ Compensation: Self-Insured Employers—Claims Volume and Losses Fall

Recently, the Insurance Journal reported that the workers’ compensation claims volume and the workers’ compensation total losses incurred both fell for self-insured employers in California in the second half of 2022 and the first half of 2023. Notably, the year-of-year claims filed during this period were down nearly 17%. Our Bakersfield workers’ compensation defense law […]

Big Rate Increases Expected for Workers’ Compensation in California

According to PropertyCasualty360, a big rate increase is expected for workers’ compensation premiums in California in the coming year. The California Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) recently notified insurance companies that work in the system that there may be a double-digit rate increase in 2024. Here, our Fresno workers’ compensation defense law firm provides an […]

Think an Employee is Lying About a Work Injury in California? Know the Right Things to Do and the Wrong Things to Do

Workers’ compensation insurance is no-fault. The California Department of Insurance explains it clearly: “An injured employee does not need to prove that the injury or illness was someone else’s fault in order to receive workers’ compensation benefits.” With that being said, an employee is not automatically entitled to benefits. Unfortunately, there are cases in which […]