California’s Division of Workers’ Compensation Posts Proposed Revisions to WCIS Implementation Guide for First and Subsequent Reports of Injury By Lonce Lamonte and the California Department of Industrial Relations' Newsline - October 15, 2018 The Division of Workers' Compensation (DWC) has posted a revised version of the Workers’ Compensation Information System (WCIS) California Electronic Data Interchange Implementation Guide for First and Subsequent Reports of Injury (FROI/SROI) on its rulemaking forum. Members of the public are encouraged to review the proposed regulatory revisions in the guide, and submit written comments. The comment period is open until 5 p.m. on Tuesday, October 30. California's WCIS uses electronic data interchange to collect comprehensive information from claims administrators to help the Department of Industrial Relations oversee the state's workers' compensation system. This information helps facilitate evaluation of the system and measure adequacy of benefits for injured workers and their dependents, and provides statistical data for research.  Read More

California’s Division of Workers’ Compensation Posts 2017 Audit Unit Annual Report and the Ranking Report By Lonce Lamonte and the Department of Industrial Relations' Newsline - October 15, 2018 The California Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) has posted the 2017 DWC Audit Unit annual report on its website. The Audit Unit annual report provides information on how claims administrators audited by the DWC performed and includes the Administrative Director’s ranking report for audits conducted in calendar year 2016. The 2017 Audit Unit annual report details the results of audits conducted in 2016 and provides the name and location of each insurer, self-insured employer, and third-party administrator audited during that time. This report to the Legislature summarizes audits conducted in accordance with Labor Code sections 129 and 129.5 to assure that injured workers, and their dependents in the event of their death, are provided with all benefits due them in an expeditious manner. The audit findings, by law, must detail the number of files audited, the number and type of violations cited, and the amount of an undisputed compensation found due and unpaid to the injured worker. The audit findings presented in this report are statistical and do not identify any individual injured worker. The Labor Code provides that contents of the claim files and the Audit Unit working papers are confidential. Read More

Sam Solakyan, Owner of Vital Imaging, Released From Federal Prison On 1.5 Million Dollars Bond By Lonce Lamonte - October 11, 2018 Sam Sarkis Solakyan, the owner of Vital Imaging, who also ran businesses under Global Holdings, Empire Radiology, and other monikers, was released from custody by the Federal Bureau of Prisons on Tuesday, October 9th 2018.  Solakyan was indicted on 12 felony counts by a federal grand jury on September 25th 2018.   He was charged by the United States District Court of the Southern District of California, a district covering the greater San Diego area.  The indictment was originally sealed, but was unsealed just two days later on September 27th 2018.   The charges are for conspiracy to commit honest services mail fraud and health care fraud, honest services mail fraud, and aiding and abetting.  Read More

Judge Has Questions for Prosecution in Sim Hoffman, M.D. Case in Orange County. Still No Ruling on Defense’s 995 Motion. By Lonce Lamonte - October 7, 2018 Just when it seemed the Sim Hoffman, M.D. workers’ compensation billing fraud case in Orange County couldn’t possibly undergo another delay, it has undergone another delay.    The case will now be back in Orange County Superior Court, Department 45, the court room of the Honorable Richard King, on November 2nd.  The judge has some questions for the prosecution, ostensibly regarding the prosecution’s answers to the defense’s 995 motion, according to Dr. Hoffman’s defense attorney, Bill Fleming.   Therefore, Judge King wants the parties to return to court on that date before making any ruling.   Lead prosecutor, Shaddi Kamiabipour, was not available for comment as she is on vacation until October 15th. Read More

More News

October 2, 2018 - Sam Solakyan Arrested. Federal Indictment Unsealed In San Diego.

October 1, 2018 - California's Division of Workers’ Compensation Posts Order Adopting Updates to Medical Treatment Guidelines

September 27, 2018 - California’s Division of Workers’ Compensation Posts Proposed Amendments to Pharmaceutical Fee Schedule to Online Forum for Public Comment

September 23, 2018 - New Frontline Medical Attorney Shows Up In Court In Downtown LA In Criminal Organization Munir Uwaydah Case. Benjamin Gluck Confronts Sergeant McCrillis On The Stand With Legal Bill Found On First Page Of Search Warrant.

September 19, 2018 - California Division of Workers’ Compensation Posts Adjustments to Official Medical Fee Schedule (Physician Services / Non-Physician Practitioner Services)

September 16, 2018 - Benjamin Gluck Gives Up Representation Of Frontline Medical In Criminal Organization Munir Uwaydah Case In Downtown LA. Sergeant McCrillis Continues On The Witness Stand, Claiming Stand-Alone Public Documents Are Not Privileged.

News Archive