workers compensation doctors

The bill defines the "abusive conduct" that would be actionable under the law. Attempting to exploit an employee’s known psychological or physical vulnerability. Lots of bills are filed each session. Some receive attention and others fall by the wayside as attention is focused on other priorities. This session, like so many recently, may be about the budget and perhaps little else. However, this is a bill to watch as it has the potential to require examination should it be one of the measures that "gets legs" and passes. It is likely impractical to determine with any certainty how many employees suffer the behavior which this bill describes. However, it is likely that such issues might come to the fore after a work-place injury, filing of a petition and the workers' compensation litigation. Unfortunately, we find that the workers' compensation mediation process is sometimes the first time employers and employees speak with each other about issues that bother each. While it is fortunate that mediation provides that opportunity, it is unfortunate that this communication does not occur far earlier and without the need for litigation. Have you talked with your employer or employee lately about what may be bothering you? More importantly, and only tangentially on topic, have you complimented your coworkers, employees, employers recently? It is a tough economy, a stressful time, and a kind word or two goes a long way. My advice today is that you pay someone a compliment each day. Use more "thank you," "please," and "good job" in your workplace. Recognize that everyone involved in your business has a purpose and brings value to the operation (that is why they were hired). Appreciate the value and try to ignore the distracting personality deficiencies we all have. When we put aside petty differences and work together we can accomplish almost anything.

Even in this circumstance, an injured worker's address and Social Security number are not revealed to the requestor by the DWC. Q. What are my employer's responsibilities under workers' compensation laws? Post the workers' compensation poster in a place where all employees can see it. If you are the victim of a crime that happened at work, the employer must give notice of workers' compensation eligibility within one working day of the crime. Q. Can my employer take part of my check to pay for workers' compensation insurance? A. No. Workers' compensation insurance is part of the cost of doing business. An employer cannot ask you to help pay for the insurance premium. Q. Isn't there supposed to be a notice posted at my workplace? A. Yes. Your employer must post the notice to employees poster in a conspicuous place at the work site. This poster provides you with information on workers' compensation coverage and where to get medical care for work injuries.

Q. What happens if my employer is uninsured and I'm hurt on the job? If you have a work-related injury or illness and your employer is not insured, your employer is responsible for paying all bills related to your injury or illness. Contact the information & assistance officer at your local DWC district office for further information. Workers' compensation benefits are only the exclusive remedy for injuries suffered on the job when your employer is properly insured. If your employer is illegally uninsured and you have a work-related injury or illness, you can file a civil action against your employer in addition to filing a workers' compensation claim. You may also file a claim for benefits with the state's Uninsured Employers' Benefit Trust Fund (UEBTF). See DWC fact sheet F and guides 16, 16A and 16B for more information on filing a claim with the UEBTF. Q. What is the Uninsured Employers' Benefit Trust Fund? A. The UEBTF is a special unit within the Division of Workers' Compensation that may pay benefits to injured workers who get hurt or ill while working for an illegally uninsured employer.

The UEBTF pursues reimbursement of expenditures from the responsible employer through all available avenues, including filing liens against their property. Q. Where can I report an employer for not carrying workers' compensation insurance? A. You may report an uninsured employer to the nearest office of the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement. The offices are also listed in the state government section of the white pages of your local telephone directory under industrial relations, labor standards enforcement. Q. What kind of medical care will I receive for my injury? A. Doctors in California's workers' compensation system are required to provide evidence-based medical treatment. That means they must choose treatments scientifically proven to cure or relieve work-related injuries and illnesses. To comply with the evidence-based medical treatment requirement, the state of California has adopted a medical treatment utilization schedule (MTUS). The MTUS includes specific body regions guidelines adopted from the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine's (ACOEM) Practice Guidelines, plus guidelines for acupuncture, chronic pain and therapy after surgery.

The DWC has a committee that continuously evaluates new medical evidence about treatments and incorporates that evidence into its guidelines. Q. Do these guidelines apply if my case is already settled? A. They may. Treatment guidelines are considered correct even in cases that settled before the guidelines were added to workers' compensation law in 2003. Your claims administrator may continue to pay for medical care you're accustomed to for your injury. If you have a question about whether you should still be receiving a certain kind of medical treatment and you can't work it out with your claims administrator, call your local information & assistance officer for guidance. If your medical treatment has been denied you can request an expedited hearing before a workers' compensation administrative law judge to get the situation resolved. Contact the information & assistance officer at your local DWC district office for help. Q. The claims administrator hasn't accepted or denied my claim yet, but I need medical care for my injury now. What can I do?