Vol. 7, Issue 2

Find Solutions & Strategies January 11, 2016

Rating Eye Injuries Using the AMA Guides

Ortega noteworthy panel decision provides guidance

In This Issue

* RATING EYE INJURIES

* CCC's: WCAB jurisdiction in pro athlete cases

* LABOR CODE BOOK

* NEWS: Claim Frequency; Doctor Union Challenges Medical Management Companies

* eNEWSLETTER ARCHIVES

Lawyer's Guide to AMA Guides

rating eye injuries using the ama guides

Ortega noteworthy panel decision provides much needed guidance

One of the most famous and graphically intense workers' compensation cases of all time is the 1959 case of SCIF v. IAC (Wallin) (1959). On 2/15/1957, Mr. Wallin, a carpenter, suffered an industrial injury resulting in the total loss of vision in his left eye. The 1st District Court of Appeal described the injury as follows, "A rusty nail which he was driving into the floor flew up and penetrated his eyeball." For several months after the accident, Mr. Wallin kept himself busy relearning how to navigate through his environment, using only his right eye. His recuperation included use of his carpentry tools so that he would be able to return to his usual and customary occupation. One evening, he was using a power tool to cut wood for his fireplace...read more.

A Note From the Editor

california COMPENSATION CASES

Two Decisions Show Complexity of Establishing WCAB Jurisdiction in Pro Athlete Cases: Cal. Comp. Cases December Advanced Postings (1/6/2016). Lexis.com and Lexis Advance online subscribers can read it.

workers' comp laws of calif. 2016 edition: a new look

NEW! THICKER COVER, LARGER SIZE FOR THE LABOR CODE BOOK. Due to the explosion in the number of statutes and regulations post-SB 863, the book became too thick and the paper cover would easily tear. We have now used a thicker cover and increased the size of the book a bit to decrease the page count by about 25%, making the book easier to handle. As a result of these changes, you'll also find that the tables and charts are somewhat larger and easier to read. We look forward to hearing your feedback. If you don't already subscribe, you can order the book here.

california news headlines

CA: WCIRB: Calif. Claim Frequency Remains Higher Than in Other States.

CA: Former Presiding Judge Andrew Cohen Passes Away.

CA: Dept. of Insurance Cites 2015 Initiatives for Fighting Fraud, Underground Economy.

CA: Governor Reappoints Sherman to Calif. Fraud Assessment Commission.

CA: Governor Appoints Two New Cal/OSHA Deputy Chiefs.

CA: Top Trends for California Employers in 2016 Include Workers' Comp Considerations.

CA: Contractors, Subcontractors to See Uptick in Enforcement of WC Insurance Requirements.

Doctors' Union Challenges Medical Management Companies, Outsourcing.

US DOL Reports US Mining Deaths Dropped to New Lows in 2015.

AIG Invests in Wearable Devices to Promote Workplace Safety.

91 Percent of Patients Overdosing on Opioids Continued to Get Painkiller Prescriptions.

CDC Holds First Public Hearing on Proposed Opioid Guidelines.

SSA Proposes Rule to Extend Period of Workers Comp Offset.

NAIC Reports on Profitability by Line by State for 2014.

U.S. Lawmakers Introduce Bill to Address Hazards for Health Care Workers Lifting Patients.

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 Robin.E.Kobayashi@lexisnexis.com.

January 4, 2016: Top 25 Noteworthy Panel Decisions July-Dec. 2015.
December 14, 2015: 2015 Year in Review.
December 7, 2015: The Limited Use of Vocational Rehabilitation Evidence.
November 30, 2015: A Medical Provider Network Conundrum: Second Opinion Process.
November 23, 2015: Housekeeping Services Expenses Recovered as Medical Treatment.
CLICK HERE TO ACCESS 2010-2015 ARCHIVES.

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