FLASH REPORTS
Flash: DOSH: No Non-Emergency COVID Exclusion Pay
California business is ecstatic that there will be no exclusion pay requirement in the new two year extended covid standard being adopted by Cal/OSHA. Adding the labor sponsored provision would have delayed the impending proposal by several months.
Flash: Average Weekly Wage Up Over 5%
The State Average Weekly Wage (SAWW) affects how much claims adjusters must pay injured workers on temporary total disability (TTD) and permanent total disability (PTD). How much more will employers be paying?
Flash: Applied / CIC Auditor Resigns – California Tightens Controls
What actions prompted Applied Underwriters’ / California Insurance Company’s independent auditor suddenly quit? What new safeguards has the court-appointed Conservator instituted to protect policyholders? And what inferences can be made about how management is conducting business?
ARTICLES
Commissioner’s Authority, Attorney Fee Award Affirmed
A workers' comp carrier loses another battle linked to the use of unfiled side agreements that modify a filed policy. A lot was at stake in this one.
State Fund’s Results Improving
State Fund's results changed during the third quarter. Against lower premium comes improvements to underwriting expenses and loss ratios. What it says contributes to lower premiums is enlightening. Premium subscribers can click here for the real story.
California’s Injury and Illness Stats Up Slightly In 2021
What’s behind a slight uptick in California’s number of workplace injuries and illnesses? How do the numbers compare with the rest of the nation?
SIG Sues Former Member Over Post-Term Workers’ Comp Claims
A flood of post-termination workers' comp claims tied to a failed growing operation has a self-insured group looking to recover millions. What happens if it is unsuccessful?
Bureau To Study Food Manufacturing Classifications
Classification changes may be coming to California's second-largest manufacturing sector. What is being considered, and when might changes take effect?
Commentary…
What’s Old Is New Again
Priorities are being readied for the new legislative session and the Division of Workers' Compensation is opening up the discussion. Is anything new on the agenda? Columnist Mark Webb shares some thoughts.
Bankruptcy for Self-Insured Health Care District
A self-insured employer in the healthcare sector is about to declare bankruptcy. Is the Office of Self-Insurance Plans ready?
Pandemic Brings Down Workers’ Comp’s Cost and Benefit Ratios
What are the latest workers' comp cost and benefit trends? Where does California fall on the spectrum compared to other states.
California Insurance Commissioner Handily Wins Second Term
It was never a race but the final vote tallies for insurance commissioner were a tighter than in the primary. How did the votes fall across the state?
WCAB To Reexamine Claim Denied Over Misdemeanor Conviction
Are injuries incurred during the commission of a crime compensable under workers' comp? A pending case sheds light on when workers' comp benefits might be payable.
Constitutional Fight May Be Brewing …
WCAB Says It Has Jurisdiction In Independent Contractor Dispute
A constitutional fight is brewing over who determines if an alleged independent contractor can get workers' comp benefits. The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board stakes its claim in this decision.