Vol. 6, Issue 13

Find Solutions & Strategies                 March 30, 2015

Caduceus DollarOMFS: The Death of the Extraordinary Circumstances Exception Post-2004
In This Issue
A Note From the Editor
CCWC's Premier Annual Event
official medical fee schedule: the death of the extraordinary circumstances exception POST-2004

In what appears to be a case of first impression, the WCAB panel in Jaime Torres Tavera v. T and P Farms, Zenith Insurance Company, 2015 Cal. Wrk. Comp. P.D. LEXIS --, reversed the WCJ's finding and held instead that the extraordinary circumstances exception to the fee schedule applies only to dates of services before 1/1/2004. The applicant was employed as a farm laborer by T and P Farms, insured for workers' compensation by Zenith Pleasanton. The applicant sustained an injury to his left leg, back, and psyche on July 5, 2010, when he was thrown off a tractor and his left foot became trapped between the rear tractor wheel and the body of the tractor. The accident was exacerbated by a prolonged extrication process (30 minutes) resulting in near complete amputation as well as loss of sensation or motor activity...read more.

ethnic disparities in occupational injury hospitalization rates

A study of five states, including California, shows Latinos are significantly more likely to have a work-related traumatic injury hospitalization

 

Roger Rabb, J.D., Special Correspondent for the LexisNexis Workers' Compensation eNewsletter

 

In establishing its Healthy People 2020 initiative four years ago, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services listed as one of its stated objectives to "achieve health equity, eliminate disparities, and improve the health of all groups." While "Occupational Health" is one topical area given a focus in this national initiative, there is apparently little actual "population-based data" on ethnic disparities in occupational injuries. However, the authors of a new study published in the American Journal of Industrial Medicine try to provide some new data to fill this void to help employers and others with their surveillance and prevention efforts...read more 

california news headlines

CA: Senate Hearing on SB 863: Presentations, Reports, Hearing Video Posted.

CA: WCIRB Posts Actuarial Committee Agenda for March 30 Meeting.

CA: WCIRB Posts Government Committee Agenda for April 1 Meeting.

CA: Governor Reappoints Bouma, McNally to CHSWC.

CA: State Fund Posts 2014 Annual Report.

CA: Audit Shows 35 Percent Increase in WC Costs for Firefighters, Police.

CA: LAPD, LAFD Blasted for "Culture of Workers' Comp Abuse".

CA: Cal/OSHA Posts Guidance on New Heat Illness Prevention Requirements.

CA: US Sup Ct Denies Cert in Mata v. WCAB (Challenging Settlement Agreement).

ProPublica Examines Benefit Cuts, Medical Review, Preexisting Conditions, Choice of Doctor.

ProPublica/NPR Answer Questions About Their Research on Workers Comp Articles.

Risk Expert Says High Costs of Workers Comp Due Mainly to Management Problem.

Walmart, Lowes, Safeway, Nordstroms & More Bankroll Opt Out Legislation Nationwide.

Pew Study Shows Increase in Undocumented Workers Holding White Collar Jobs.

Marsh Study Targets Prescription Drugs to Decrease Workers Comp Costs.

App-based Home Cleaning Co. Could Face Two Lawsuits for Worker Misclassification.

Rate of Insurance Fraud Rising Faster Than Violent Crimes.

Towers Watson Releases Survey on P&C Industry's Use of Predictive Modeling.

Expert Discusses Link Between Chronic Pain and Opioid Addiction, Alternative Treatments.

FDA to Publish Abuse Deterrent Opioid Guidance by End of June.

eNewsletter archives

Take a deep dive into our past eNewsletters for 2015 and prior...warning - some links to articles may not work...report any linking problems to [email protected].
 
Mar. 2, 2015: A is for Apportionment.