Administrative Director says IMR gets 30 days to issue a decision after receipt of records, but doesn't address Arredondo noteworthy panel decision

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

In 2012, California passed into law SB 863 implementing wide-ranging changes to the state's workers' comp system designed to make that system less expensive and more efficient, while also expediting the provision of medical treatment for injured workers and increasing permanent disability benefits. The changes mandated by that law have been phased in annually since January 2013, and in a recent webinar, AD Destie Overpeck and Dr. Rupali Das discussed the DWC's current efforts to implement these changes...read more.

By Richard M. Jacobsmeyer, Esq.

The 2nd District Court of Appeals has reversed a W.C.A.B. decision which had refused to apply the presumption of causation for cancer to a firefighter based on the amendment to LC 3212.1 which became effective after diagnosis but before trial. In Lozano v. W.C.A.B., the dependents of William Lozano sought intervivos and dependency benefits based on the employee's diagnosis of stomach cancer...read more.