Workers' Compensation

Recent Posts

California: Commonly Missed Regulations and Rules
Posted on 13 Jan 2017 by Calif. WCAB Noteworthy Panel Decisions Reporter

Familiarity with the Labor Code and the WCAB/DWC regulations is a fundamental necessity for practicing workers’ compensation law in the State of California. Given this fact, it is surprising how many attorneys show up on the day of trial without... Read More

Tags: physical therapy , settlements , Trial , penalties , California workers compensation

The Bid Day Post….And a Moment of Wonderment as the Delaware IAB Rules That UR - Certified Treatment Is Unreasonable/ Unnecessary
Posted on 13 Aug 2012 by Cassandra Roberts

Today is auspicious for two reasons. First it is "Bid Day" at Auburn University. Picture above is my Sweet Caroline (in the white eyelet dress) offering a "bid" to her little sister. And another great Gamma Phi Beta tradition continues... Read More

Tags: Cassandra Roberts , reasonable and necessary , medical treatment , physical therapy , presumption , Delaware Detour & Frolic , carpal tunnel syndrome , Health Care Practice Guidelines , utilization review , Delaware Workers’ Compensation

New CWCI Study Looks at Independent Medical Review Outcomes in California Workers’ Comp
Posted on 25 Apr 2015 by California Workers' Compensation Institute

A new analysis of independent medical review decisions issued in 2014 suggests that the medical dispute resolution process mandated by the workers’ compensation reform bill enacted in 2012 is working to assure that the treatment provided to California... Read More

Tags: evidence-based medicine , diagnostic tests , medical dispute resolution process , physical therapy , IMR , opioids , California workers compensation , injections , UR , SB 863 , durable medical equipment , utilization review , prescription drugs , compound drugs , independent medical review , medically necessary

VA: Rehab Professor’s Self-Diagnosis Proves Painful in Neck and Wallet
Posted on 25 Oct 2013 by Larson's Spotlight

A decision by a rehabilitation counseling professor to seek out and follow a physical therapy regime utilizing a “Thera-Band” (a resistive latex exercise band), in spite of the fact that her treating physician told her that she did not need... Read More

Tags: physical therapy , Virginia workers compensation , self-medicated

Work Hardening Bridges Gap Between Unable & Able To Work
Posted on 18 Dec 2013 by Rebecca A. Shafer

Injured employees who are off work for a significant amount of time are often out of physical shape and are not physically ready to return to work when they have reached their maximum medical improvement. Work hardening, which is performed by physical... Read More

Tags: physical therapy , Return to Work , work hardening , occupational therapy

CWCI Reviews California Workers’ Comp Q1 2015 Independent Medical Review Outcomes
Posted on 7 Jul 2015 by California Workers' Compensation Institute

A new analysis of 2015 independent medical review (IMR) outcomes shows there was no significant reduction in IMR volume in the first quarter of this year, even though the independent medical reviewers continue to concur with the utilization review (UR... Read More

Tags: diagnostic tests , physical therapy , rescription drugs , IMR , evidence-based , surgery centers , California workers compensation , injections , durable medical equipment , independent medical review

WCRI Studies Show 75 Percent of Injured Workers Get Opioids, But Don’t Get Opioid Management Services
Posted on 1 Oct 2014 by Thomas A. Robinson

Two new studies published by Workers’ Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) show that on average three out of four injured workers in the United States receive opioid prescriptions for pain relief following workplace injuries and that generally... Read More

Tags: opioid , physical therapy , urine drug testing , prescription drug abuse , psychiatric evaluation , psychological evaluation , chronic opioid management , pain relief , Workers compensation

Understanding Geographic Variation in the Use of Treatment Guidelines for Occupational Injuries
Posted on 5 Feb 2015 by Thomas A. Robinson

Greater medical consensus could reduce geographic variability A recent study published by the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine suggests that there is geographic variation in the use of medical treatment guidelines that reaches... Read More

Tags: geographic variabilty , physical therapy , ACOEM guidelines , opioids , shoulder injury , shoulder bracing , Official Disability Guidelines , back injury , ODG , surgery , home care , Workers compensation , medical consensus , medical treatment guidelines , occupational injuries , steroids

The Bid Day Post….And a Moment of Wonderment as the Delaware IAB Rules That UR - Certified Treatment Is Unreasonable/ Unnecessary
Posted on 13 Aug 2012 by Cassandra Roberts

Today is auspicious for two reasons. First it is "Bid Day" at Auburn University. Picture above is my Sweet Caroline (in the white eyelet dress) offering a "bid" to her little sister. And another great Gamma Phi Beta tradition continues... Read More

Tags: Cassandra Roberts , reasonable and necessary , medical treatment , physical therapy , Delaware Detour & Frolic , presumption , carpal tunnel syndrome , Health Care Practice Guidelines , utilization review , Delaware Workers’ Compensation