News and comment about California Workers' Compensation — Page 13

The terminator has picked a fight with educators, public employees, correctional officers and the legislators. This LA Times article outlines the situation clearly. (link unavailable)

This means that a special election is inevitable. Watch carefully, the insurance carriers and businesses may take this opportunity to attempt to eliminate workers' compensation benefits. Here's the question, will the people let them do that?

Via WorkCompCentral.Com:
"Is California reform going too far? Though barely mentioned in his State of the State speech Wednesday, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's proposal to wrap the Workers' Compensation Appeals Board, the Unemployment Insurance Appeals Board and the Occupational Safety and Health Appeals Board into one, nine-member commission has many in the industry alarmed and concerned that the technical specialty needed to resolve policy rendering...

Responding to Sen. Alarcon's call for rate regulation, Insurance industry spokesman says Sam Sorich says: "Workers' compensation rates today are falling and the future looks even brighter as more insurers enter the California market and the reform package is fully implemented," Sorich said. "The reforms not only stabilized a once-turbulent system, they reversed a devastating trend of rate hikes that were suffocating California's business...

Now the governor is taking on the government, on behalf of the people, of course. Governor Arnold will cut public employee pension benefits, renegotiate and revamp the correctional system, redo the budget system, restructure government, get rid of those teachers that are getting higher pay because of longer tenure, and, oh yeah, leap tall buildings with a single bound. And of course, if the...

Who will stand up to the Terminator-Governor? I have a couple of recommendations. Both have played chief executives. Both have name recognition. Both have personal wealth. I think either could be winners. My nominations? Michael Douglas or Martin Sheen...What do you think?

Effective January 1, 2005, employer and their insurers now have the right to control injured worker medical treatment through medical provider networks. A permanent disability schedule designed to promote "objectivity and predictibility" is predicted to cut injured worker benefits by 60%. The elimination of "dueling doctors" is expected to reduce litigation.

On the injured worker's side of the balance sheet, employers are now required...

Gov. Arnold continues his political tactics. Unless major changes are made, he threatens the legislature with a "special election" and  ballott initiatives. It's this tactic that has left injured workers high and dry and employers lining the pocketbooks of insurance carriers. And a democratic leader plans to offer an olive branch to the Governor on the occasion of his State of the State speech...

Here's a question for 2005. Is there a Democrat who can stand up to the terminator-governor? What characteristics are necessary? I have a few in mind:

1. Instant name recognition. 2. Personal wealth. 3. Ability to raise money. 4. Ability to mobilize coalitons of support.
   
   

Why is this an important question? If there is no one to stand up to the governor, the rights of...

There are a number of changes in California law affecting employment and labor starting Jan. 1, 2005. For a recap click here >>> (link unavailable)

The national underwriters journal posts an article indicating the insurance carriers pleasure with the new rating schedule. See the article here >>> (archived)
A recent study shows that awards for permanent disability will be reduced by 2/3. This is what the carriers call objectivity, while they refuse to reduce rates to their customers. Where are all the savings going?