Newshttp://www.ccwcworkcomp.orgSun, 20 May 2012 08:18:48 GMTThu, 29 Mar 2012 18:14:34 GMTHearing portends battle over California workers compensationhttp://www.ccwcworkcomp.org/hearing-portends-battle-over-california-workers-compensationThu, 29 Mar 2012 05:00:00 GMTAmy LaiA lengthy hearing in the California Assembly on Wednesday indicated that one of the Capitol's longest-running political wars is being reignited. It's over the rules governing workers compensation, the multibillion-dollar system that provides medical care, rehabilitation and financial support to those with work-related injuries and illnesses, what those in the Capitol call "work comp."

Sacramento Bee
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]]>http://www.ccwcworkcomp.org/hearing-portends-battle-over-california-workers-compensationCost containment tops employer concerns on workers’ comphttp://www.ccwcworkcomp.org/cost-containment-tops-employer-concerns-on-workers-compMon, 19 Mar 2012 05:00:00 GMTAmy LaiDuring the next 12 months, employers say cost containment is their number one workers’ compensation insurance concern, a new study shows. Some 59 percent of employers say they are very or somewhat concerned about cost containment in 2012. Employers also expressed concerns about increasing exposures, renewals and rising fraud behaviors.

Insurance Journal
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]]>http://www.ccwcworkcomp.org/cost-containment-tops-employer-concerns-on-workers-compCalifornia workers' compensation costs rose slightly in 2011http://www.ccwcworkcomp.org/california-workers-compensation-costs-rose-slightly-in-2011Mon, 12 Mar 2012 05:00:00 GMTAmy LaiCalifornia employers' costs of providing workers' compensation insurance rose slightly in 2011, but are scarcely half of what they were before then-Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and the Legislature enacted a major overhaul of the system in 2004.

Sacramento Bee
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]]>http://www.ccwcworkcomp.org/california-workers-compensation-costs-rose-slightly-in-2011Lawyer claims highest known workers’ comp settlement in California historyhttp://www.ccwcworkcomp.org/lawyer-claims-highest-known-workers-comp-settlement-in-california-historyWed, 07 Mar 2012 06:00:00 GMTAmy LaiAttorney Christopher Asvar believes he has secured the highest known workers’ compensation insurance settlement in California history, totaling $8.9 million on behalf of a Antonio Enriquez, who suffered a traumatic brain injury in 2004 at the age of 18 after falling from a scaffold.

Insurance Journal
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]]>http://www.ccwcworkcomp.org/lawyer-claims-highest-known-workers-comp-settlement-in-california-historyWorkers' comp surgery costs vary among stateshttp://www.ccwcworkcomp.org/workers-comp-surgery-costs-vary-among-statesMon, 05 Mar 2012 06:00:00 GMTAmy LaiCommon surgeries for workplace injuries generally cost less in states that have adopted per-procedure fee schedules, versus states that don’t use fee schedules, according to a recent report by a Massachusetts-based industry research group. The Workers Compensation Research Institute of Cambridge, Mass., examined medical cost data from 17 high-population states between 2003 and 2009.

Healthcare Finance News
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]]>http://www.ccwcworkcomp.org/workers-comp-surgery-costs-vary-among-statesInvestigative unit to target California’s serial labor law violatorshttp://www.ccwcworkcomp.org/investigative-unit-to-target-californias-serial-labor-law-violatorsWed, 29 Feb 2012 06:00:00 GMTAmy LaiCalifornia Labor Commissioner Julie A. Su’s aim is to send a message to the state’s underground economy. The message is that the principals of companies with shady employment practices, such as those who try to cut costs by under-reporting employees or employee wages to save on workers’ compensation premiums, may face jail time.

Insurance Journal
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]]>http://www.ccwcworkcomp.org/investigative-unit-to-target-californias-serial-labor-law-violatorsCalifornia insurance regulators take enforcement actionshttp://www.ccwcworkcomp.org/california-insurance-regulators-take-enforcement-actionsTue, 28 Feb 2012 06:00:00 GMTAmy LaiCallifornia regulators have settled an enforcement action against GeoVera Insurance Co. after receiving complaints from earthquake insurance policy holders. GeoVera will pay a $235,000 fine and make changes in its underwriting procedures, Department of Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones said.

Los Angeles Times
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]]>http://www.ccwcworkcomp.org/california-insurance-regulators-take-enforcement-actionsWorkers' comp writers tackle 30% drop in rateshttp://www.ccwcworkcomp.org/workers-comp-writers-tackle-30-drop-in-ratesMon, 27 Feb 2012 06:00:00 GMTAmy LaiWorkers' compensation writers are taking steps to improve the profitability of the troubled line, industry experts said. From 2006 to 2010, workers' compensation premiums fell by about 30%, while profitability dropped, said Ed Keane, senior financial analyst at A.M. Best Co. "Rates are clearly underwater," said David Sandler, chief operating officer of U.S. casualty for American International Group's Chartis, the second-largest workers' comp writer.

Insurance News Net
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]]>http://www.ccwcworkcomp.org/workers-comp-writers-tackle-30-drop-in-ratesWorkers' comp reforms, rulings cut benefits by 58%http://www.ccwcworkcomp.org/workers-comp-reforms-rulings-cut-benefits-by-58Mon, 23 Jan 2012 06:00:00 GMTAmy LaiThe reforms seven years ago of California’s workers’ compensation system plus some later court rulings that changed the interpretation of the law have collectively cut benefits to permanent injured workers by 58 percent, a new draft report says.

Sacramento Business Journal
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]]>http://www.ccwcworkcomp.org/workers-comp-reforms-rulings-cut-benefits-by-58California filings show companies using advisory rateshttp://www.ccwcworkcomp.org/california-filings-show-companies-using-advisory-ratesThu, 19 Jan 2012 06:00:00 GMTAmy LaiA majority of companies are using California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones’ approved advisory pure premium rates in their rate filings for 2012, and the result is a combined increase of 2.8 percent for companies, according to Jones’ office.

Insurance Journal
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]]>http://www.ccwcworkcomp.org/california-filings-show-companies-using-advisory-ratesEmployers paying a bit more in workers' compensation premiumshttp://www.ccwcworkcomp.org/employers-paying-a-bit-more-in-workers-compensation-premiumsTue, 17 Jan 2012 06:00:00 GMTAmy LaiCalifornia employers are paying a bit more for workers' compensation insurance. New rates filed by the top 100 companies, accounting for 96.7% of the California market, increased by an average of 2.8% in January, said state Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones.

Los Angeles Times
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]]>http://www.ccwcworkcomp.org/employers-paying-a-bit-more-in-workers-compensation-premiumsPrevention program has little effect on worker injuries, fatalitieshttp://www.ccwcworkcomp.org/prevention-program-has-little-effect-on-worker-injuries-fatalitiesMon, 16 Jan 2012 06:00:00 GMTAmy LaiCalifornia's Injury and Illness Prevention Program has had little impact on reducing worker injuries and fatalities in the state, according to a report from the California Commission for Health, Safety and Workers' Compensation.

Business Insurance
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]]>http://www.ccwcworkcomp.org/prevention-program-has-little-effect-on-worker-injuries-fatalitiesState Fund to cut 256 jobs at its Pleasanton headquartershttp://www.ccwcworkcomp.org/state-fund-to-cut-256-jobs-at-its-pleasanton-headquartersWed, 11 Jan 2012 06:00:00 GMTAmy LaiThe State Compensation Insurance Fund also known as State Fund, plans to eliminate close to 500 jobs at its offices throughout the Bay Area as part of a statewide reduction in force that could see as many as 1,400 of its employees receiving pink slips.

Pleasanton Weekly
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]]>http://www.ccwcworkcomp.org/state-fund-to-cut-256-jobs-at-its-pleasanton-headquartersOutpatient costs higher in states without fee scheduleshttp://www.ccwcworkcomp.org/outpatient-costs-higher-in-states-without-fee-schedulesWed, 11 Jan 2012 06:00:00 GMTAmy LaiStates without fee schedules have higher hospital outpatient costs for common surgeries compared to states with fee schedules, according to a workers’ compensation study.

Insurance Journal
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]]>http://www.ccwcworkcomp.org/outpatient-costs-higher-in-states-without-fee-schedulesWorkers' compensation premiums rise to $8.3 billion this yearhttp://www.ccwcworkcomp.org/workers-compensation-premiums-rise-to-83-billion-this-yearTue, 13 Dec 2011 06:00:00 GMTAmy LaiIn the first nine months of 2011, worker compensation insurers' written premiums in the state rose to about $8.3 billion, according to a report by the Workers' Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau of California.

California Healthline
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]]>http://www.ccwcworkcomp.org/workers-compensation-premiums-rise-to-83-billion-this-yearNew data provide ammunition for workers' compensation clashhttp://www.ccwcworkcomp.org/new-data-provide-ammunition-for-workers-compensation-clashMon, 12 Dec 2011 06:00:00 GMTAmy LaiAs employers, labor unions, lawyers, insurers and medical care providers gird themselves for another round of battle in the decades-long political war over workers' compensation, a new set of data from the Workers' Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau is providing ammunition.

Sacramento Bee
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]]>http://www.ccwcworkcomp.org/new-data-provide-ammunition-for-workers-compensation-clashCalifornia officials vow to crack down on underground economyhttp://www.ccwcworkcomp.org/california-officials-vow-to-crack-down-on-underground-economyFri, 09 Dec 2011 06:00:00 GMTAmy LaiEmployers who pay their workers cash under the table to avoid payroll taxes, workers' compensation insurance and other government mandates are costing California about $7 billion annually in lost tax revenue and undercutting companies that play by the rules, state officials say.

Los Angeles Times
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]]>http://www.ccwcworkcomp.org/california-officials-vow-to-crack-down-on-underground-economyCat bond to cover earthquake-related workers comp claimshttp://www.ccwcworkcomp.org/cat-bond-to-cover-earthquake-related-workers-comp-claimsSun, 04 Dec 2011 06:00:00 GMTAmy LaiStandard & Poor's Corp. says a catastrophe bond being offered by the California State Compensation Insurance Fund could pave the way for more disaster-related workers compensation coverage.

Business Insurance
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]]>http://www.ccwcworkcomp.org/cat-bond-to-cover-earthquake-related-workers-comp-claimsOC woman sentenced for insurance fraudhttp://www.ccwcworkcomp.org/oc-woman-sentenced-for-insurance-fraudThu, 01 Dec 2011 06:00:00 GMTAmy LaiAn Orange County woman has been sentenced for committing $30 million in insurance fraud, described as one of the largest known workers compensation insurance fraud cases in California history.

Ventura County Star
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]]>http://www.ccwcworkcomp.org/oc-woman-sentenced-for-insurance-fraudState Fund offers dividend as a credithttp://www.ccwcworkcomp.org/state-fund-offers-dividend-as-a-creditFri, 25 Nov 2011 06:00:00 GMTAmy LaiThe quasi-public State Compensation Insurance Fund, which bills itself as California's largest workers' compensation insurance carrier, said it plans to disburse a $50 million dividend to qualifying policyholders in the form of a premium credit.

Sacramento Bee
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]]>http://www.ccwcworkcomp.org/state-fund-offers-dividend-as-a-creditWorkers' Comp Rating Bureau chose interim chiefhttp://www.ccwcworkcomp.org/workers-comp-rating-bureau-chose-interim-chiefWed, 23 Nov 2011 06:00:00 GMTAmy LaiThe organization that advises California regulators on workers’ compensation rates has appointed an interim president.  The Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau of California .Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau of California Latest from The Business Journals Workers' Comp Rating Bureau chose interim presidentJones issues workers' comp rate recommendationWorkers' comp insurers see higher rates, lower losses Follow this company .has tagged Timothy Benjamin, the organization’s senior vice president and chief operating officer for the past 22 years.

Sacramento Business Journal
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]]>http://www.ccwcworkcomp.org/workers-comp-rating-bureau-chose-interim-chiefConstruction insurance rates could be risinghttp://www.ccwcworkcomp.org/construction-insurance-rates-could-be-risingTue, 22 Nov 2011 06:00:00 GMTAmy LaiInsurance rates for construction contractors, architects and engineers could be on the rise, according to new market reports from Lockton Cos. L.L.C. released this week.

Business Insurance
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]]>http://www.ccwcworkcomp.org/construction-insurance-rates-could-be-risingState fund files RICO claim against Select Staffinghttp://www.ccwcworkcomp.org/state-fund-files-rico-claim-against-select-staffingMon, 21 Nov 2011 06:00:00 GMTAmy LaiThe State Compensation Insurance Fund and the region's biggest private company are taking the gloves off in a fight over a $50 million fraud judgement.

Pacific Coast Business Times
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]]>http://www.ccwcworkcomp.org/state-fund-files-rico-claim-against-select-staffingWorkers' compensation may see a new battlehttp://www.ccwcworkcomp.org/workers-compensation-may-see-a-new-battleThu, 17 Nov 2011 06:00:00 GMTAmy LaiEmployers, labor unions, insurers, medical care providers and attorneys who specialize in compensation claims continuously plot strategy to capture greater shares of the multibillion-dollar system.  They are stalemated most of the time, but roughly once a decade, a coalition of factions makes a tactical breakthrough by changing the system's rules.

Dan Walters in the Sacramento Bee
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]]>http://www.ccwcworkcomp.org/workers-compensation-may-see-a-new-battleEmployer advocates look toward full-on comp reformhttp://www.ccwcworkcomp.org/employer-advocates-look-toward-full-on-comp-reformFri, 11 Nov 2011 06:00:00 GMTAmy LaiCalifornia Gov. Jerry Brown is getting kudos from pro-business factions for his signing and vetoing of workers' comp legislation. But they warn of escalating costs unless broad-based reforms are forthcoming.

Risk & Insurance Online
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]]>http://www.ccwcworkcomp.org/employer-advocates-look-toward-full-on-comp-reformWorkers' comp premiums likely to level off next yearhttp://www.ccwcworkcomp.org/workers-comp-premiums-likely-to-level-off-next-yearWed, 24 Aug 2011 05:00:00 GMTAmy LaiWorkers' compensation premiums in California, which have been creeping up the past four years, look like they'll stabilize in 2012.  That's a far cry from the early 2000s, when soaring rates touched off a mammoth debate about the cost of doing business in California.

Sacramento Bee
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]]>http://www.ccwcworkcomp.org/workers-comp-premiums-likely-to-level-off-next-yearCalifornia Workers' Comp benefits declinehttp://www.ccwcworkcomp.org/california-workers-comp-benefits-declineTue, 16 Aug 2011 05:00:00 GMTAmy LaiWorkers' compensation benefits for workers injured on the job in California decreased 1.6 percent to $9.3 billion in 2009, according to a study released Tuesday by the National Academy of Social Insurance.

Silicon Valley/San Jose Business Journal
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]]>http://www.ccwcworkcomp.org/california-workers-comp-benefits-declineSupreme Court rules on workers comp COLA casehttp://www.ccwcworkcomp.org/supreme-court-rules-on-workers-comp-cola-caseFri, 12 Aug 2011 05:00:00 GMTAmy LaiCalifornia’s Supreme Court handed employers and insurers a victory Thursday in a closely watched dispute over annual cost-of-living adjustments for certain workers compensation claimants.

Business Insurance
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]]>http://www.ccwcworkcomp.org/supreme-court-rules-on-workers-comp-cola-caseWorkers' compensation heating up in Capitolhttp://www.ccwcworkcomp.org/workers-compensation-heating-up-in-capitolFri, 29 Jul 2011 05:00:00 GMTAmy LaiSchwarzenegger is gone, but the very controversial changes that tightened up eligibility for employer-paid benefits and imposed stricter medical care guidelines are continuing to have a major effect on the multi-billion-dollar system, a recent report indicates. And it adds fuel to a burgeoning political debate.

Dan Walters
Sacramento Bee
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]]>http://www.ccwcworkcomp.org/workers-compensation-heating-up-in-capitolCalifornia WC Appeals Board takes back physician rulinghttp://www.ccwcworkcomp.org/california-wc-appeals-board-takes-back-physician-rulingTue, 26 Jul 2011 05:00:00 GMTAmy LaiJust a few months after the California Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board ruled that a non-approved physician’s report cannot be used to support workers’ compensation eligibility, it is reconsidering that ruling.

Insurance Journal
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]]>http://www.ccwcworkcomp.org/california-wc-appeals-board-takes-back-physician-ruling