Monthly Archives: January 2024

California Workers’ Compensation: Self-Insured Employers—Claims Volume and Losses Fall

Recently, the Insurance Journal reported that the workers’ compensation claims volume and the workers’ compensation total losses incurred both fell for self-insured employers in California in the second half of 2022 and the first half of 2023. Notably, the year-of-year claims filed during this period were down nearly 17%. Our Bakersfield workers’ compensation defense law […]

Big Rate Increases Expected for Workers’ Compensation in California

According to PropertyCasualty360, a big rate increase is expected for workers’ compensation premiums in California in the coming year. The California Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) recently notified insurance companies that work in the system that there may be a double-digit rate increase in 2024. Here, our Fresno workers’ compensation defense law firm provides an […]

Think an Employee is Lying About a Work Injury in California? Know the Right Things to Do and the Wrong Things to Do

Workers’ compensation insurance is no-fault. The California Department of Insurance explains it clearly: “An injured employee does not need to prove that the injury or illness was someone else’s fault in order to receive workers’ compensation benefits.” With that being said, an employee is not automatically entitled to benefits. Unfortunately, there are cases in which […]

Suspended Prison Sentences for Contractors Convicted of Workers’ Compensation Fraud

According to a report from the King City Rustler, two contractors from Monterey County—Elias Perez Jr. and Alejandra Perez—have received suspended prison sentences for their role in a major workers’ compensation fraud scheme that was perpetrated between 2013 and 2017. Both defendants were placed on felony probation for seven years. Here, our Monterey County workers’ […]

Workers’ Compensation Defense: Should You Settle a Cumulative Trauma Claim?

In California, workers’ compensation claims can be split into two broad categories: 1) Specific industry and 2) Cumulative trauma. Under Cal. Labor Code § 3208.1(b), cumulative trauma is harm “occurring as repetitive mentally or physically traumatic activities extending over a period of time, the combined effect of which causes any disability or need for medical […]

California Court: Workers’ Compensation Claim Only Remedy for Employee Hurt While Leaving Workplace

On October 31, 2023, the California Fourth District Court of Appeal ruled in favor of an employer in the case of Jones v. Regents of the University of California. The court determined that an employee—who was injured while riding her bike leaving on campus after work—was limited to filing a workers’ compensation claim. In this […]

California Announces Temporary Total Disability Rates for 2024—No Changes for Either

On November 27, 2023, the State of California Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) announced the new temporary total disability (TTD) rates for 2024. Here is what to know: No changes were made to TTD rates because State Average Weekly Wage (SAWW) in California did not increase last year. Below, our Fresno workers’ compensation defense law […]