According to a recent study published by the California Workers’ Compensation Institute (CWCI), there has been a sudden and sharp decline in the use of independent medical reviews (IMRs) in workers’ compensation claims in California over the past six years. In fact, the number of IMR decision letters issued hit a record low in the […]
One of the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic was an increase in the prevalence of remote work. With more employees working from home, there have been some questions raised about how exactly that will affect workers’ compensation claims. In the recent case of Colonial Van & Storage Inc., v. Superior Court of Fresno County, a […]
According to a report from CBS SF Bay Area, a psychiatrist based in San Francisco has been sentenced to prison in connection with a workers’ compensation fraud scheme. George Demetrius Karalis, 76, will serve a sentence of 120 days in prison and will pay $1.4 million in financial restitution to the affected parties. The judgment […]
California has a mandatory workers’ compensation law in place. Under California law (Labor Code § 3700), all businesses and organizations that have employees in the state must meet this requirement. An employer that is uninsured in violation of California’s workers’ compensation law can face significant sanctions. In this article, our Bakersfield workers’ compensation defense attorney […]
A no-fault workers’ compensation case is typically the only remedy that an injured worker has against an employer. However, under California Labor Code § 4553, there is an exception for cases in which an employee is injured due to “serious and willful misconduct” by an employer. Employers found liable for serious and willful misconduct can […]
All employees in Monterey County and anywhere else in California are required to obtain and maintain workers’ compensation insurance coverage. If an employee is hurt on the job, they have a right to file for no-fault workers’ compensation benefits through their employer’s policy. Under California Labor Code 132(a), employers are barred from retaliating against an […]
On January 18, 2022, the California Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) announced that updated COVID-19 related emergency regulations for Qualified Medical Evaluations (QMEs) are taking effect. The latest round of emergency regulations are set to last until July 19, 2022—with two separate 90-day extensions possible if deemed necessary. In this article, our Fresno workers’ compensation […]
According to a report from Insurance Journal, two California business owners—a married couple named Wei Wen Wu, and Feng Wen Lam—are facing dozens of counts of workers’ compensation fraud. Authorities allege that the business owner couple defrauded private insurance companies and the California state fund out of nearly $1.7 million by underreporting payroll for more […]
The California Division of Workers’ Compensation is clear: An employee has the right to file for workers’ compensation benefits for a psychiatric injury. For the purposes of California workers’ compensation claim, the term ‘psychiatric injury’ is used broadly—it covers a wide range of mental health related issues, including depression, anxiety, and inability to sleep. California […]
According to a report from the Insurance Journal, a farm labor contractor from San Joaquin County, California is facing 15 felony criminal charges related to his role in a complex workers’ compensation fraud scheme. The 62-year-old Alfredo Casas allegedly underreported his company’s payroll by more than $1 million—thereby causing major losses for private insurance companies […]
