California Division of Workers’ Compensation Announces Temporary Total Disability Rates for 2020 By Lonce Lamonte and the DIR DWC Newsline - September 12, 2019 The Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) announces that the 2020 minimum and maximum temporary total disability (TTD) rates will increase on January 1, 2020.  The minimum TTD rate will increase from $187.71 to $200.13 and the maximum TTD rate will increase from $1,251.38 to $1,334.17 per week. Labor Code section 4453(a) (10) requires the rate for TTD be increased by an amount equal to percentage increase in the State Average Weekly Wage (SAWW) as compared to the prior year.  The SAWW is defined as the average weekly wage paid to employees covered by unemployment insurance as reported by the U.S. Department of Labor for California for the 12 months ending March 31st in the year preceding the injury.  In the 12 months ending March 31, 2019, the SAWW increased from $1,242.78 to $1,325.00 – an increase of 6.61581 percent. Read More

California Employers Still Guessing If Comp Reforms Can Withstand New Governor: Claims Journal   July 18, 2019 ANAHEIM, California — Seven months into the administration of Gov. Gavin Newsom, employers in solid-blue California are still waiting to see how well the workers’ compensation reforms championed by his predecessor will fare under new leadership. So far, so good, but it’s still early. That sums up comments...

Family of Massachusetts Youth Killed in Blast Settles Suit Against Company: Insurance Journal   July 10, 2019 Claims Industry Consolidation Continues with Sedgwick Purchase of York: Insurance Journal  July 10, 2019 Sleepless night as aftershocks rattle earthquake-battered Ridgecrest: Los Angeles Times  July 6, 2019

California Division of Workers’ Compensation Posts Adjustment to Official Medical Fee Schedule Inpatient Hospital Section to Conform to Medicare Changes By Lonce Lamonte and the DWC Newsline - September 6, 2019 The Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) has posted an adjustment to the inpatient hospital s... Read More

California Division of Workers’ Compensation Posts Order Adopting Updates to Medical Treatment Guidelines By Editor Lonce Lamonte and the California Department of Industrial Relations' Newsline - September 5, 2019 The Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) has Read More

Ben Sample Arrest And Conviction By APEX Investigation - September 4, 2019 September 4, 2019 - Los Angeles, CA- Benjamin Sample, a 69-year-old male bus driver for MV Transportation, file... Read More

To A Veteran I Knew And Remember On Memorial Day By Jorge Alexandria - May 27, 2019 On this Memorial Day weekend in May of 2019, while we all gather to enjoy our barbecues, families, and... Read More

Sheri Lawrence Joins Sempra Energy As Employee Care Services Manager After 29 Years Of Workers' Compensation Claims Experience By Lonce Lamonte - August 21, 2018 Sheri Lawrence began on July 23rd 2018 as the Employee Care Services Manager at Sempra Energy, Southern Ca... Read More