Workers' Compensation

Recent Posts

New York: Ex Parte Communications Result in Denial of Death Benefits Claim
Posted on 3 Aug 2021 by Thomas A. Robinson

A WCLJ’s decision to give no weight to medical opinions offered by two medical experts—an independent medical examiner and the deceased employee’s treating physician—because both experts had entered into significant ex parte contact... Read More

New York: Court Applies Ex Parte Rules Strictly
Posted on 20 Jan 2020 by Thomas A. Robinson

Illustrating the strictness of New York’s rules forbidding ex parte communications between attorneys and examining physicians in workers’ compensation cases, a state appellate court affirmed a decision by the New York Workers’ Compensation... Read More

New York: Attorney’s Short Text Message to Physician Was Not Improper
Posted on 14 Dec 2018 by Thomas A. Robinson

A short text message sent only to a physician, and not to opposing counsel, notifying the doctor that his upcoming deposition would address claimant’s schedule loss of use, was not the sort of ex parte communication that gave the appearance of impropriety... Read More

California: The Element of Surprise as an Ex Parte Communication
Posted on 22 Apr 2013 by Mark Kahn

Attorneys cannot surprise the other side and show “information” (films or vocational reports) to the AME at cross-examination as it is an ex-parte communication in violation of Labor Code section 4062.3 because the parties must agree on what... Read More

California: Replacing the Panel QME: Survey of Recent Noteworthy Panel Decisions
Posted on 21 Jan 2014 by Calif. WCAB Noteworthy Panel Decisions Reporter

© Copyright 2014 LexisNexis. All rights reserved. I. Evolution of the Current Panel QME Process The Panel QME process has evolved in interesting ways over the years. For dates of injury prior to 2005, the panel QME process did not exist. Instead... Read More

Larson’s Spotlight on Recent Workers’ Comp Cases: Put a Lid on It! Court Clamps Down on Employer’s Ex Parte Communications With Treating Physician
Posted on 9 Dec 2011 by Larson's Spotlight

Larson's Spotlight on Ex Parte Communication, Subsequent Injury, Utilization Review, and Attendant Care. Larson's surveys the latest case developments that you need to know about. Thomas A. Robinson, the staff writer for Larson's Workers'... Read More

Larson's Spotlight on Recent Cases: Federal RICO Cause of Action
Posted on 12 Nov 2012 by Larson's Spotlight

Larson's Spotlight on RICO, Ex Parte Communication, Penalties and Reemployment. Larson's surveys the latest case developments that you need to know about. Thomas A. Robinson, the staff writer for Larson's Workers' Compensation Law , has... Read More

California Panel QME Process: Is It Time to Admit We Are Dealing With a Monster?
Posted on 17 May 2012 by Calif. WCAB Noteworthy Panel Decisions Reporter

A serious question needs to be asked about whether requiring the use of one Qualified Medical Evaluator (QME) in a workers’ compensation case, as opposed to the use of “battling QME’s”, has reduced litigation or has actually served... Read More

California: W.C.A.B. Rules ADR 35.5(e) Invalid
Posted on 28 Feb 2014 by Richard M. Jacobsmeyer

The W.C.A.B. has issued an en banc decision on an issue that comes up fairly frequently before the W.C.A.B.—the application of Rule 35.5 to QME where an injured worker has multiple injuries to similar parts of the body with the same parties. Rule... Read More

California: What Constitutes an Ex-Parte Communication Post-Alvarez?
Posted on 11 Nov 2011 by Calif. WCAB Noteworthy Panel Decisions Reporter

There have been a number of cases decided by the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) dealing with Labor Code Section 4062.3 and what constitutes a prohibited ex parte communication with a Panel Qualified Medical Evaluator (PQME). Though many... Read More

Montana: High Court Says Statute Allowing Ex Parte Communications With Claimant’s Doctors Is Unconstitutional
Posted on 12 Sep 2014 by Larson's Spotlight

Two Montana statutes that allow a workers’ compensation insurance carrier to have ex parte communications with claimant’s medical care providers represent an unconstitutional violation of claimant’s right to privacy, at least under the... Read More

CA: Court of Appeal Grants Rehearing in Alvarez v. WCAB (Ex Parte Communication)
Posted on 16 Jun 2010 by California Compensation Cases Staff

LOS ANGELES, CA – The California Court of Appeal, Second District, has vacated the published decision of Alvarez v. W.C.A.B. and granted the State Compensation Insurance Fund’s petition for rehearing on June 11, 2010. In Alvarez v. W.C... Read More

California Second Appellate District Issues Published Opinion That Provides Some Standards for Calculation of Home Healthcare Lien Claims by Family Members
Posted on 31 Jan 2011 by Goldman, Magdalin & Krikes, LLP

On January 26, 2011 the California Second Appellate District issued an opinion setting forth important factors to be considered for reimbursement of family members who claim a lien for "medical treatment" under Labor Code § 4600 for providing... Read More

Larson’s Spotlight on Recent Workers’ Comp Cases: Put a Lid on It! Court Clamps Down on Employer’s Ex Parte Communications With Treating Physician
Posted on 9 Dec 2011 by Larson's Spotlight

Larson's Spotlight on Ex Parte Communication, Subsequent Injury, Utilization Review, and Attendant Care. Larson's surveys the latest case developments that you need to know about. Thomas A. Robinson, the staff writer for Larson's Workers'... Read More

California: IME Report Based Upon Unilateral Ex-Parte Communication Struck By Court Of Appeal—New IME Required
Posted on 17 Mar 2011 by David Bryan Leonard

By David Bryan Leonard, Esq. Physician’s vulnerability to ex parte manipulation by a party is highlighted in t he recent Court of Appeal Case of State Farm Insurance v. W .C.A.B. (“Pearson”) [192 Cal. App. 4th 51; 2011 Cal. App... Read More