Here are our picks for this year's top 10 noteworthy panel decisions involving liens. Thank you to the staff of the California WCAB Noteworthy Panel Decisions Reporter for all your hard work and dedication. Lexis.com subscribers can link to the cases to read the decisions.

1. Maria Cortez v. El Taco De Mexico, 2011 Cal. Wrk. Comp. P.D. LEXIS 13

Liens--Repackaged Pharmaceuticals--WCAB affirmed WCJ's finding that reasonable charge for repackaged medications provided by lien claimant to applicant/cook with injuries to abdomen and in form of hernia on 4/15/2003 and during period 7/2000 through 7/19/2003 was 58 percent of charges billed, when medication was provided to applicant between 8/13/2003 and 4/25/2006, 2003 Official Medical Fee Schedule did not apply to medications provided, and WCAB calculated reasonable rate of reimbursement as 58 percent based upon lien claimant's assertion that it was entitled to full reimbursement of charges, averaged with an adverse inference of zero cost based upon provider's "usual charge" and defendant's history of payment at 66 percent.

> Read the complete list with headnotes.

Workers' compensation fraudsters come in all shapes and sizes. Here are 10 news stories from 2011 that caught our eye:

1. Grandpa Used Granddaughter to Sell His Workers' Compensation Drugs

2. Claimant Caught On Video Roofing Before Attending His Workers' Comp Hearing

3. Police Officer Who Shot Himself to Be Fired After Guilty Verdict

4. "Ax Men" Reality Star Pleads Not Guilty to Theft of Disability and Pension Benefits

> Read the complete list with details.

Workers' Comp Executive:

FLASH: Is State Fund's Dividend Plan Illegal?

© Copyright 2011 Providence Publications, LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinted with permission.

Other News:

CA: Governor Appoints Christine Baker Director of Dept of Industrial Relations.

CA: Governor Appoints Ronnie Caplane Chair of Workers Comp Appeals Board.

CA: Employers' Stephen Festa Named Vice Chair of CIGA.

CA: DWC Medical Unit Revised Panel Rules Pending Messele Decision.

CA: Unemployment Insurance Fund Debt Means Higher Federal Taxes for Employers.

CA: State's New Independent Contractor Law Increases Stakes for Employee Misclassification.

CA: Court Says Lawmakers Must Determine Adequacy of Heat Protection Rules.

CA: WCIRB Releases Summary of Insurer Experience Through Sept. 30, 2011.

CA: Officials to Crack Down on Underground Economy.

CA: SCIF Board of Directors 12/14/2011 Meeting Agenda Posted.

CA: First Documented Health Care Worker Who Contracted AIDS Reveals Her Identity.

Aetna Announces Plans to "Transition Out" of Workers' Comp Network Business.

US Inspector General Reports 33 Postal Worker Arrests for Workers' Comp Fraud.

CVS Cracks Down on Doctors Who Prescribe Widely Abused Narcotics.

Former NFL Players Claim Use of Toradol Masked Concussions.

Great American Acquires Two Texas Workers Comp Firms.

AIG Aggressively Raising Workers Comp Rates This Year.

NIOSH Provides Updates on Respirator Performance for Nanotech Workers.

RAND Reports Increase in Number of Registered Nurses.

> Joseph Miller is currently serving as Commissioner for 60 days and is seeking reappointment.