News Digest 8-22-2019

Flash: Lara Behested Money to Charity He Ran

In what is becoming a pattern of continuing crookery there is yet another story in the Ricardo Lara chronicles of corruption. He directed Funds to a Charity when he was CEO. Click here for the details. Workers’ Comp Executive

California: Fraud charges dismissed against four doctors, while two take pleas

Charges against four Modesto-area doctors in a $40 million medical fraud case were dismissed in Orange County Superior Court. The orthopedic surgeons were among two dozen defendants in California charged two years ago with multiple counts of insurance fraud, filing false and fraudulent claims and conspiracy, following an investigation by the state insurance commissioner and the Orange County district attorney’s office. Two other Modesto physicians accepted plea agreements last year serving to dismiss the felony charges against them. Modesto Bee

Consultant: ‘Work hardening’ can expedite return to work

Eric Messer is a construction-industry business and risk consultant, argues that “work hardening,” which provides employees with advanced vocational or psychological assistance, or rehabilitation, can help return an injured employee to the job quickly. Here are the phases of an effective work-hardening program. Daily Reporter (Milwaukee)

Arizona fireman’s cancer claim sparks dispute between city and state senator

A workers’ compensation claim by a Glendale, Arizona fireman, who was diagnosed in April with multiple myeloma, has been turned down by the city, even though a state law passed in 2017 allows for firefighters with specific types of cancers to get compensation for treatment. There are at least nine cases in the state of firefighter claims being denied by local municipalities. A state senator who crafted the law is joining the fireman to pressure the city over the claim. AZ Mirror

End of pre-employment drug testing doesn’t mean you can’t still be fired for marijuana

Even in a jurisdiction that has stopped pre-employment marijuana testing, an employee can still be fired down the road due to their cannabis use, and any worker involved in an accident is probably going to be tested. Morning Call (Allentown, Pa.)

Worker’s comp division rolls out e-warrant filing system

Wisconsin’s Department of Workforce Development Division of Worker’s Compensation has rolled out a new electronic warrant filing system intended to streamline the warranting process of more than 4,000 transactions annually. The new e-warrant system allows the division’s staff to file warrants with circuit courts when it looks to recover benefits costs paid out of the state’s Uninsured Employers Fund. Estimated savings through the new process surpass $55,000 per year for the worker’s comp system. Wisconsin Law Journal