WorkCompAcademy | Weekly News

Rene Thomas Folse, JD, Ph. D. is the host for this edition which reports on the following news stories: WCAB Clarifies Employer's Right to Depose Roommates in COVID Claim. Hotels & Restaurants Face Massive Litigation Over Tip Distribution. LAUSD Prevails in Injured Worker Failure to Accommodate Claim. FEHA Arbitrator Decisions are Final and Not Ordinarily Reviewable on Appeal. California Man Convi...

Rene Thomas Folse, JD, Ph. D. is the host for this edition which reports on the following news stories: Silicon Valley AI Company Makes InsurTech Top 100 List. Screenwriters Union Fighting Off Industry Wide AI Adoption. Specific Findings Required for Ordering One Carrier to Pay CT Benefits. SJDB Voucher Not Required in Total Disability Case. Rise in Occupational Silicosis Triggers 17 L.A. Lawsuits...

Rene Thomas Folse, JD, Ph. D. is the host for this edition which reports on the following news stories: CorVel Announces AI Powered Claim Processing Initiative. Google AI Technology Passes US Medical License Exam. WCAB Finds Rule 10133.31(c) is "Antithesis of Substantial Justice". Court Reinstates Billing Class Action Against Modesto Hospital. 187 Tow Truck Employees Recover $2.9M in Wage Theft. B...

Rene Thomas Folse, JD, Ph. D. is the host for this edition which reports on the following news stories: Failure to Prove Regulatory Compliance Ends Employer Medical Control. Arbitration Agreement Legalese & Unreadable Fine Print Is Not Unconscionable. Toluca Lake Man Accused of Impersonating a Doctor for Several Years. Bakersfield Pain Management Physician Sentenced for Tax Evasion. $1.47M Settlem...

Rene Thomas Folse, JD, Ph. D. is the host for this edition which reports on the following news stories: Communications With QME About Depo Fees Cannot Be Ex-Parte. NFL Successfully Defends Players' "Painkiller Culture" Lawsuit. 9th Circuit Rejects Arbitration of Amazon Spying-on-Drivers Case. Hearst Resolves 56 Misclassified Employee Class Action for $1M. Cal/OSHA Pursues Criminal Prosecution Foll...

Rene Thomas Folse, JD, Ph. D. is the host for this edition which reports on the following news stories: O.C. Restaurant Loses Battle For COVID Closure Insurance Coverage. L.C. 515.7 Limiting Wage Statement Claims is Not Retroactive. San Diego Surgeon Faces Murder Charges following Patients Death. 12 Suspects Face 110 Felonies in Disability Insurance Fraud Scheme. Five Defendants Face WorkComp Prem...

Rene Thomas Folse, JD, Ph. D. is the host for this edition which reports on the following news stories: Homeowner is Employer of Uninsured Licensed Contractor's Worker. WCAB Panel Affirms WCJ Discretion to Deny PD Overpayment Credit. Judge Allows L.A. Ballot Initiative to Cap Hospital Executive Pay. Co-Employee Named in Tort Action Can Exercise Employer's Arbitration Rights. Garden Grove Pharmacis...

Rene Thomas Folse, JD, Ph. D. is the host for this edition which reports on the following news stories: MSP Manual Update Requires Providers to Identify and Bill MSAs. City of L.A. Retail Industry Fair Work Week Ordinance Starts April 1. Carson CA Facility Closes After $838,800 Cal/OSHA Citations. WCIRB Study Shows Experience Rating Improves Workplace Safety. San Diego Doctor Pleads Guilty to $2M...

Rene Thomas Folse, JD, Ph. D. is the host for this edition which reports on the following news stories: CMS Pursues Law Firm for Conditional Payment Reimbursement. 9th Circuit Revives Uber Constitutional Challenge to AB-5. National Firefighters Union Battles Cancer Causing Protective Gear. Executive/Owner of 100 Insurance Companies Faces $2B Fraud Indictment. Court Affirms $8.2M Restitution Calcul...

Rene Thomas Folse, JD, Ph. D. is the host for this edition which reports on the following news stories: Insurance Carrier Resolves Policy Dispute Class Action for $6.2M. Covid Misinformation Law Entangled in Conflicting Lawsuits. No Liability For Off Worksite, Weekend Sexual Misconduct Between Friends. Uber, Lyft, DoorDash Prevail in AB 5 - Prop 22 Appeal. PEO Owners Plead Guilty to $54M Insurance...

Rene Thomas Folse, JD, Ph. D. is the host for this edition which reports on the following news stories: WCAB Orders Bifurcated Trial in NFL Contested Jurisdiction Case. Good Faith Belief of Compliance Precludes Penalties & Attorney Fees. PAGA Penalties Expanded to Include Sick Pay Act Violations. No Equitable Contribution Between Employer's GL and Comp Carriers. Jury Convicts Orthopedic Surgeon fo...

Rene Thomas Folse, JD, Ph. D. is the host for this edition which reports on the following news stories: Carrier and Defense Firm to Face Applicant Fraud/Slander Lawsuit. NLRB Limits Confidentiality & Non-Disparagement Severance Agreements. Employer Fined $27K For Water Not Close Enough to Workers. California COVID-19 State of Emergency Ends February 28th 2023. DEA Proposed Rules for Permanent Tele...

Rene Thomas Folse, JD, Ph. D. is the host for this edition which reports on the following news stories: Interpreter Must Show Evidence of Fees in Same Geographic Area. SCOTUS Rejects J&J's Appeal of $302M Deceptive Marketing Penalty. SCOTUS Clarifies FLSA’s Salary-Basis Test for Highly Paid Worker. So. Cal. Chiropractor and NBA Players Sentenced for Healthcare Fraud. California Legislature Propose...

Rene Thomas Folse, JD, Ph. D. is the host for this edition which reports on the following news stories: Commercial Traveler Rule Applies to Workers Assisting Firefighters. Employment Law Arbitration Cases Queue up in Cal Supreme Court. Ninth Circuit Strikes Down California Ban on "Forced Arbitration". "Yellowstone" actress Q'orianka Kilcher's Comp Fraud Case Dismissed. Estimated EDD Fraud Losses I...

Rene Thomas Folse, JD, Ph. D. is the host for this edition which reports on the following news stories: Retired NFL Players File Class Action Over Rejected Disability Claims. Privette Doctrine Exceptions Save Injured Worker's Tort Action. No Total Immunity for County Hospital's Employee PAGA Case. SCOTUS Raises the Bar for Opioid Pill Mill Doctor Criminal Convictions. Silicon Valley Online Pharmac...

Rene Thomas Folse, JD, Ph. D. is the host for this edition which reports on the following news stories: WCAB Awards SJDB Benefits Despite Successful RTW. Court Rejects "Offset" to Injured Firefighter's Disability Retirement. Safeway Stores Still Litigating Same Wage Hour Claims - for 21 Years. California and 19 States File as Amicus Against OSHA Rights Challenge. Grand Jury Indicts Disbarred Plain...

Rene Thomas Folse, JD, Ph. D. is the host for this edition which reports on the following news stories: Federal Judge Enjoins Controversial California COVID Misinformation Law. Dept of Corrections Immune From Prisoner-Nurse Based FEHA Claims. Instacart Resolves City of S.F. Worker Misclassification Case for $5.25M. Santa Ana Man Convicted for $152M Tainted Prescription Drug Sales. CDI Fraud Action...

Rene Thomas Folse, JD, Ph. D. is the host for this edition which reports on the following news stories: NLRB Substantially Increases Damages For Labor Law Violations. Appeal of Labor Commissioner Award Requires Specific Surety Bond. KCRA-TV Fraud Documentary Triggers EDD Congressional Inquiry. DWC Posts Reminder for Submission of Annual Report of Inventory. Department of Insurance Appoints Three C...

Rene Thomas Folse, JD, Ph. D. is the host for this edition which reports on the following news stories: Panel Clarifies WCAB Limits for Vacating Stipulations of Parties. Court Rejects Constitutional Challenge to Medical Malpractice Recovery Limits. California/Illinois Attorney Generals Sue Drugmakers for Price Gouging. Major McDonald’s Franchise to Pay $2 Million to Settle EEOC Lawsuit. Girardi La...

Rene Thomas Folse, JD, Ph. D. is the host for this edition which reports on the following news stories: WCAB Says Injured County Inmate on Work Program is an Employee. Judge Issues Order Stopping the DIR From Implementing Fast Food Act. California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA) Now Applicable to Employers. CWCI Study Shows WC Hospitalizations Continue to Decline. NIH Launches Pilot Telehealth Research...

Rene Thomas Folse, JD, Ph. D. is the host for this edition which reports on the following news stories: WCAB Orders Attorney to Identify Name of Employer per Rule 10390(a). NLRB Says USC Student Athletes are USC, Pac-12 and NCAA Employees. NLRB Reinstates Off-Duty Employee Rights to Access Employer's Property. San Diego Pain Management Doctor and Office Manager Indicted. Fake Doctor Charged for 2n...

Rene Thomas Folse, JD, Ph. D. is the host for this edition which reports on the following news stories: Health Net Loses $14.4M Jury Verdict Over Surgery Delay. Timely Arbitration Request Required by Employer in Multiple Forums. Neurosurgeon to Serve 5 Years for $3.3 Million Kickback Scheme. California Joins 17 States in Employment Definition Classification Battle. New California Law Mandating Ber...

Rene Thomas Folse, JD, Ph. D. is the host for this edition which reports on the following news stories: Court Rules on "Contentious" Med-Legal Associates Litigation With QME. Proof of "Prejudice" Required for Laches to Bar 20 Year Old Lien. Unused Portion of SJDB Voucher Expires 2 Years After Issuance. Employer's Arbitration Motion Fails for Poor Documentation. Twice Convicted SoCal Insurance Agen...

Rene Thomas Folse, JD, Ph. D. is the host for this edition which reports on the following news stories: Failure to Admit Medical Records Dooms Employer's Apportionment. Carriers Not Required to Notify Insured of WCIRB Classification Changes. City Immune from Suit for Bad Advice to Injured Police Officer. School District COVID Vaccination Mandates Preempted by State Law. O.C. Pharmacist Guilty of 2...

Rene Thomas Folse, JD, Ph. D. is the host for this edition which reports on the following news stories: Employer Cannot Refuse to Hire Worker on Medical Examination Alone. Attorney General Sues Team Owner & NFL for Hostile Workplace Cover-up. Temporary Total Disability Rates for 2023 to Increase by 5.16%. WCIRB Releases Multibureau Evaluation of COVID-19 Claims & Costs. Former DIR Director Critica...