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 […]

Applicant Ordered to Pay More than $100,000.00 in Restitution in Workers’ Compensation Fraud Case in Sacramento County

On March 14, 2024, the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office announced that Ahmad Zaki Noori, a welder convicted for workers’ compensation fraud, has been ordered to pay significant financial restitution. He was previously indicted for two counts of felony workers’ compensation fraud. Here, our Sacramento workers’ compensation defense attorney discusses the case in more detail. […]

Workers’ Compensation Subrogation: An Overview of California Insurance Code § 11662

When an employee is injured on the job in California, he or she will generally bring a workers’ compensation claim. That injured worker may also have an additional claim—such as against a negligent third party that contributed to their accident. In these cases, complex issues related to subrogation can arise. California Insurance Code § 11662 […]

How Employers in California Can Use the Subsequent Injuries Benefits Trust Fund (SIBTF)

What happens if one of your employees aggravates a pre-existing injury while on the job? The short answer is that they can still file for workers’ compensation insurance benefits. That being said, depending on the specific situation, the cost of the claim may be covered, at least in part, by our state’s Subsequent Injuries Benefits […]

Allegations: Former Human Resources Manager in San Francisco Stole More than $600,000.00 from Workers’ Compensation Fund

On March 21, 2024, CBS News reported that a former human resources (HR) manager in San Francisco misappropriated more than $600,000.00 in workers’ compensation funds. Stanley Ellicott has been arrested and is now facing dozens of serious criminal charges. Within this article, our Fresno workers’ compensation defense attorney provides a more comprehensive discussion of the […]

Report: New Workers in California More Likely to Get Hurt On the Job (Lessons for Employers)

According to a report from Business Insurance, a comprehensive report from the Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau of California (WCIRB) found that new workers—defined as those within their first year of employment—are significantly more likely to be injured on the job compared to more seasoned employees. Here, our Fresno workers’ compensation defense attorney provides a […]

I Failed to Get Workers’ Compensation Insurance for My Employees—What Should I Do Now?

Under California state law, employers must get workers’ compensation coverage for their employees. In California, an uninsured employer is “any employer who has failed to secure the payment of compensation as required by Labor Code Section 3700” (§15560). What happens if your company has failed to get insurance coverage? You need to take proactive measures […]

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 […]

What if a subcontractor’s Employee is Hurt on Your Worksite in California? Can they File for Workers’ Compensation Against Your Company?

Many companies in California work with subcontractors. You may be wondering: What happens if a subcontractor’s employee is hurt at your worksite? The short answer is that their workers’ compensation claim is through their own employer—but if your negligence contributed to the accident, your company may bear liability through a third-party liability lawsuit. Here, our […]