News Archive

Email A Friend

More News

May 3, 2024
To Clarify What “File” Means With Workers’ Compensation Claims. The Connecticut Supreme Court Does It.

April 25, 2024
California Department of Industrial Relations and Cal/OSHA Will Honor Workers’ Memorial Day at Four Events in California on April 28th-29th 2024. Cal/OSHA Joining Partners in Arcadia, Richmond, San Diego and San Francisco.

April 23, 2024
California Division of Workers' Compensation Launches Online Portal for Submission of QME Medical-Legal Reports

April 22, 2024
California Division of Workers’ Compensation Posts Updated Time of Hire Notice

The clock is ticking for those people who want to reopen claims stemming from the 1994 Northridge earthquake.

Thanks to a law enacted last January as part of Senate Bill 1899, policyholders have until Dec. 31 to file a lawsuit against their insurance company if they settled a claim without legal representation or discovered damage after settling.

This extension is a chance not to be missed according to Dale Washington of Community Assisting Recovery, a non-profit group helping homeowners file claims. “It’s an unprecedented opportunity. Don’t debate it. Don’t horse around.”

The new law removes the one-year statute of limitations for insurance claims submitted before Jan. 1, 2001. “This law was challenged up and down on a constitutional basis,” said Scott Edelen, deputy commissioner for the California Department of Insurance. “If people think they meet the criteria, they need to act because this is probably the last shot.”

Those homeowners eligible to reopen claims are those who did not receive a final court judgment on their claim before Jan. 1, 2001, or those who do not have an agreement signed by the homeowner’s attorney settling their claim with the insurance company.

Nancy Kramer, the deputy press secretary for the Department of Insurance, said policyholders wanting to reopen a claim should contact their insurance company and obtain an attorney.