News & Knowledge

Sessions: “When HR Gets Caught in the Middle: Navigating Crossover Claims Between Workers’ Compensation and Employment Law” Kate L. Lozano, Office Managing Partner, LFLM-San Francisco Co-Presenters: Bill Yoo, Shareholder, (Littler) Felicia Ruiz, Human Resources Manager Workers’ Compensation, Leave Absence & Benefits, Learning and Development, Safety, Ergonomics, Wellness, and COVID-19 Compliance (City of Redwood City) Laughlin, Falbo, Levy & Moresi, LLP. www.lflm.com

Sessions: “Psyche Medical-Legal Quality Assurance Checklist” Michelle C. Sebring, Esq., Partner, LFLM-San Diego Office Bobbie McDonald, PsyD, QME, Founder & CEO (Equity Evaluations, Inc.) Hon. Robert Rassp, Presiding Judge (Los Angeles WCAB District Office) Matthew Howard, Workers’ Compensation Supervisor (City of Pasadena) Michael Seigler, MD, Board-Certified Psychiatrist (Institutes of Health) Laughlin, Falbo, Levy & Moresi, LLP. www.lflm.com

July 17, 2026 What employers, carriers, and administrators should take from the Board’s new guidance on Orders Suspending Action and what the parties must file to obtain approval of a Compromise and Release. The WCAB has issued a rare En Banc decision in the case of Calvin Gaines, et.al. v. ABME Aviation, Inc. providing new guidance on Orders Suspending Action and what the parties must file to obtain approval of a settlement agreement. Before approving a settlement, the WCJ must find the settlement adequate […]

July 17, 2026 The California Applicant’s Attorneys Association Convention was held on January 29 through February 1, 2026, and as can be expected, the topic at the forefront of the convention was increasing applicant recoveries. While some parts of the convention provided entertainment, including the first annual “CAAA’s Got Talent”, highlighting various individuals’ outside talents, many focused on new trends and legal arguments being put forth by applicant’s attorney’s and physicians statewide to increase permanent disability findings. Attendance at the […]

July 17, 2026 The end of the employer-employee relationship marks a significant period that can result in potential problems for an employer. Among the potential issues that an employer may deal with are post-termination psychiatric cumulative trauma claims. Defining Post-Termination Psychiatric Cumulative Trauma Labor Code Section 3208.1(b) defines a cumulative trauma injury as “an injury resulting from repetitive mentally or physically traumatic activities extending over a period of time whose combined effect causes disability or the need for medical treatment.” […]

July 17,  2026 Senate Bill 555 (SB 555) has been withdrawn by its author due to insufficient support within the Assembly, after significant opposition from California Coalition on Workers’ Compensation, insurance carriers, third party administrators, and employers throughout the state. The Bill, sponsored by Senator Anna Caballero, with support from the California Applicant’s Attorneys Associate (CAAA), aimed to increase the PD rates for dates of injury occurring on January 1, 2027 and beyond to a minimum of $242.00 and a […]