Category Archives: Insurance Journal

New Workplace Violence Prevention Law Set to Take Effect in California; Workers’ Compensation Insurance Has a Big Role

In July 2024, a new law is taking effect in California that will require all employers to develop and implement a workplace violence prevention plan. Workers’ compensation insurance companies will play a major part of regulating the new labor requirements. Within this article, our Fresno workers’ compensation defense lawyers highlight the key points to know […]

California Chiropractor Gets Decades in Prison in Nine-Figure Workers’ Compensation Fraud Case

In April, the Insurance Journal reported that a chiropractor in California has been sentenced to 54 years in prison as part of a more than $150 million workers’ compensation fraud case. Peyman Heidary—a chiropractor from Riverside County—orchestrated what has been referred to as the “godfather” of workers’ compensation fraud. In this article, our Bakersfield workers’ […]

California Employer Will Pay Nearly $700,000.00 in Restitution for Workers’ Compensation Fraud

On May 3, 2024, the Insurance Journal reported that a business owner in California had been ordered to pay nearly $700,000.00 in financial restitution as part of a workers’ compensation fraud case. Jorge Maldonado—the owner of a construction company—underreported his company’s number of employees. Here, our Sacramento workers’ compensation defense lawyers discuss the case in […]

Workers’ Compensation Defense: Cumulative Trauma Claims Likely to Be Disproportionately Litigated in California

On March 4, 2024, the Insurance Journal reported that cumulative trauma claims represent a disproportionate share of the workers’ compensation cases that end up in litigation. As part of a major study, researchers studied a representative region in the Los Angeles Basin to assess the outcome of claims. Businesses, claims administrators, and insurers should be […]

Insurance Agent in California Arrested and Charged With Stealing Workers’ Compensation Premiums from Small Business Owners

According to reporting from the Insurance Journal, an insurance agent in California has been arrested and charged with multiple serious felony criminal offenses for allegedly stealing the workers’ compensation premiums paid by several small businesses. Erin Lee McCarroll of Laguna Beach, CA, was arraigned on 27 criminal counts, including grand theft charges, in the workers’ […]

CALIFORNIA BUSINESS OWNER AND OFFICE COMPLIANCE MANAGER CHARGED IN WORKERS’ COMPENSATION FRAUD CASE

According to a report from the Insurance Journal, a business owner in California has been arrested and charged as part of a workers’ compensation fraud case. Notably, the company’s office compliance manager is also facing criminal workers’ compensation fraud charges. Within this article, our Fresno workers’ compensation defense law firm provides an overview of the […]

CONTRACTORS CHARGED WITH WORKERS’ COMPENSATION FRAUD AND CONSPIRACY IN CALIFORNIA

According to a report from the Insurance Journal, people associated with two separate Bay Area construction companies have been charged with workers’ compensation insurance fraud as well as a related conspiracy offense. The companies reportedly paid more than $12 million in unreported and/or misclassified wages to workers. The business owners and management employees deemed responsible […]

CALIFORNIA STEPPING UP THE FIGHT AGAINST MEDICAL PROVIDER FRAUD IN THE WORKERS’ COMPENSATION SYSTEM

According to a report from the Insurance Journal, California regulators are stepping up the fight against insurance fraud—especially workers’ compensation fraud committed by medical providers. California Insurance Commissioner, Ricardo Lara, has announced more than $50 million in insurance fraud prevention grants to 34 District Attorneys’ (DA) offices across the state. Notably, a significant portion of […]

REPORT: $15 BILLION IN TOTAL WORKERS’ COMPENSATION LOSSES AND EXPENSES FOR INSURANCE COMPANIES IN 2022

On June 29, 2023, the Insurance Journal reported that the total workers’ compensation-related expenses and losses incurred by insurance companies in California in 2022 is approximately $15 billion. The full report was put together by the Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau of California (WCIRB). California state law mandates that workers’ compensation insurers provide comprehensive financial […]