She passed away this past weekend ostensibly from kidney failure.  She had had a kidney transplant back in 2002.   According to DIR Director John Duncan, Carrie never gave up on returning to work personally in spite of her medical issues. 

“Carrie was the consummate public servant. With everything she accomplished for the workers’ compensation system, one of her most remarkable qualities was her fighting spirit,” said Duncan. “She never stopped championing those impacted by the system and never gave up on returning to work personally, despite her medical challenges. Her presence as a leader with a brilliant mind for public policy and as a source of strength and inspiration cannot be overstated. She will be sorely missed.”

A Memorial Service will be held in her honor this coming Saturday:

February 12, 2011
11 am
Sunset Christian Center
6900 Destiny Drive
Rocklin, CA 95677

In lieu of flowers, those who would like to honor Carrie are asked to make a contribution to Golden State Donor Services, the transplant donor network serving the greater Sacramento area: http://www.gsds.org/.

Cards for the family may be sent to:

In Honor of Carrie Nevans
CA Division of Workers’ Compensation
1515 Clay Street, 17th floor
Oakland CA 94612

Carrie Nevans started working as a workers’ compensation claims adjuster at State Compensation Insurance Fund in 1982.  She was fully versed in all of the specifics of workers’ compensation as well as in the ethics of claims administration. 

She received her BA degree in Political Science from California State University at Stanislaus in 1979. Prior to her work at the DWC, Carrie gained administrative and fiscal expertise working for the Department of Corrections (CDC), the Department of Finance, the California State Senate and DIR.

During her five-plus years as deputy AD and acting AD, DWC effectively implemented workers’ compensation laws passed by the Legislature, which saved employers at least $70 billion cumulatively. Results of regulatory and other programmatic changes she carried out include a continued decrease in the number of claims filed and quicker resolution of claims, competition returned to the workers’ compensation marketplace, improved employer satisfaction with the workers’ compensation system, more injured workers returning to gainful employment and continued injured worker satisfaction with medical care, which is now evidence-based.

Some specific highlights of her tenure include:

• Closing the repackaged drugs loophole, which saved employers millions of dollars
• Increasing reimbursement for doctors evaluating and managing patients, which helped  facilitate improved return to work
• Developing a comprehensive research platform to empirically analyze the 2005  permanent disability rating schedule (PDRS) and other factors impacting wage loss
• Implementing a statewide injured worker outreach program, with special emphasis on Spanish-language outreach and high-risk worker communities

“Carrie had a great sense of humor and a zest for life, and was very proud of DWC and the way it serves the people of California,” John Duncan also said.

Carrie Nevans is survived by her husband James Nevans, daughter Chanel Oldham, mother Sally LaFavers, sisters Cynthia Leatherman and Christy Doerksen, as well as other family members.

lonce@adjustercom.com