56-year-old David John DePaolo, the CEO of WorkCompCentral.com died on Sunday afternoon on Yerba Buena Road in the Santa Monica Mountains. while riding on his Honda 250 motorcycle that he nicknamed “the Sewing Machine.”

Authorities report that he was riding east on Yerba Buena Road in an unincorporated area of Ventura County near Vedder Motorway when “for reasons that are still under investigation” the motorcycle veered right into the road’s shoulder to the south, hitting a dirt embankment shortly after 4 p.m. The cause of the incident is still under investigation by the California Highway Patrol.

David graduated from Pepperdine University school of law in 1984. While in law school he noticed the building prominently located along the 101 freeway that sported the name of its law firm occupants “Miller and Folse – Attorneys at Law.” He stopped by one day to greet one of the partners, Rene Folse, as he announced he wanted to go to work for the firm when he graduated. At the time he did not know that the firm specialized in workers’ compensation defense.

As promised, David arrived again after graduation announcing that he was ready to go to work. He was hired, and eagerly learned the workers’ compensation defense industry. He remained with the Miller & Folse firm for the next fifteen years. He moved on to become the founder of WorkCompCentral.com an industry leading online publication.

David was the consummate competitive athlete. He was an avid bicyclist, surfer, an instrument rated and passionate airplane pilot, and his competitive skills were an excellent compliment to his professions as a litigator, and as the entrepreneur who formed WorkCompCentral.com. He was tireless and unrelenting when he set his mind toward any goal.

You will not find anyone who did not hold him in high regard. Positive comments were immediately posted to the WorkCompCentral article announcing this tragedy.

Christine Baker, DIR Director stated in her post “My most profound sympathies to David’s family at this time. The workers’ compensation world has lost a visionary and it is indeed a sad day.”

Alex Swedlow, President of the California Workers’ Compensation Institute said “A very dark, sad day. David was an intelligent, empathic and totally original voice and presence. I will miss him as a friend and colleague. Wishing all his family and friends peace and healing memories.

And the industry top litigators such as Saul Allweiss said “What a horrible and tragic loss. David was a visionary in his creation of WorkCompCentral, a leader in the Workers Compensation Community and a dear dear friend.”

And even his competitors have kind words. Robert Wilson owner of competing website Workerscompensation.com said “David DePaolo was an oversized personality packed into a thin and agile frame. He was passionate and robust, yet reflective and compassionate. He was both funny and deadly serious. He was one of a kind. David’s death is a tragic loss for his family, his company, and the industry he served.” and Robert went on to say “But the loss is much greater than the personal feelings for a competitor I grew to like and respect over the years. David DePaolo lived life to the fullest, and his robust character, brash honesty and unquestioned integrity have forever and indelibly influenced our industry for the better. His loss is a tremendous one for workers’ compensation.”

David is survived by his wife, Anne; daughter, Nichole; and son, Anthony, and the rest of us who will never forget him.