Legislative proposals affecting the California workers’ comp industry were trickling in as the deadline for bill introductions neared. Early measures are focusing on public safety officers, brought back the concept of a private sector presumption, and put a target on employer premium fraud. SB 536 by Sen. Bob Archuleta (D-Pico Rivera) aims to crack down …
The Second District Court of Appeal says a lower court correctly dismissed a Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) claim that accused an employer of failing to provide reasonable accommodation …
The California Labor Commissioner issued citations totaling $2.3 million against Amity In-Home Care Services for allegedly misclassifying some of its workers as independent contractors, failing to properly pay wages, and …
Workplace safety and workers’ comp professionals in California say a proposed Cal/OSHA regulation is treading into the workers’ comp sphere. The current proposal for a workplace violence standard includes a …
A nonprofit theater company is asking the California Department of Insurance’s Administrative Hearing Bureau to intervene in a premium audit dispute with its workers’ comp carrier over a minimum premium charge for two executive officers. But the situation is not so simple. Jabberwocky Theatre Company, a nonprofit performing arts company, filed the request for assistance …
The Division of Workers’ Compensation is moving to adopt a new guideline developed by the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine that recommends against the use of cannabis to treat workers’ comp injuries. ACOEM says cannabinoids are “Not Recommended” for treating chronic pain, acute/subacute pain, or for use by safety-critical workers and, at best, …
Public agencies, including cities, counties, and special districts across the state, reported a drop in workers’ comp claim frequency during the latest fiscal year while also experiencing a sharp increase in claim severity. Costs were up for both medical and indemnity benefits. Taxpayers’ overall liability for future claims costs is more than $10 billion. Some …
The Division of Workers’ Compensation’s Pharmacy and Therapeutics committee members coalesced around a recommendation concerning how the Division should deal with the emerging group of biosimilar drugs coming onto the market. Coverage for cannabis was also considered, but they decided to follow the federal government’s lead. Biologics are medications produced through biotechnology from ingredients derived …