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Category: Weekly Podcast News

February 6, 2023 – News Podcast


Rene Thomas Folse, JD, Ph.D. is the host for this edition which reports on the following news stories: WCAB Awards SJDB Benefits Despite Successful RTW. Court Rejects “Offset” to Injured Firefighter’s Disability Retirement. Safeway Stores Still Litigating Same Wage Hour Claims – for 21 Years. California and 19 States File as Amicus Against OSHA Rights Challenge. Grand Jury Indicts Disbarred Plaintiffs’ Lawyer Tom Girardi. Central Valley Medical Provider Agrees to $26M Settlement. Prosecutors Say Pharmaceutical Makers Are Victims of $1B Fraud. CMS Rule to Collect $4.7B in Penalties to “Hold Insurers Accountable”. WCRI Reports – 7% of Workers with COVID-19 Develop Long COVID. Congress Reluctant to Fully Embrace Telehealth Care.

January 30, 2023 – News Podcast


Rene Thomas Folse, JD, Ph.D. is the host for this edition which reports on the following news stories: Federal Judge Enjoins Controversial California COVID Misinformation Law. Dept of Corrections Immune From Prisoner-Nurse Based FEHA Claims. Instacart Resolves City of S.F. Worker Misclassification Case for $5.25M. Santa Ana Man Convicted for $152M Tainted Prescription Drug Sales. CDI Fraud Action Against Encino Hospital was “Vast Overreach”. San Francisco Adopts Military Leave Pay ACT with PAGA Enforcement. 2023 Brings Higher OSHA – and Much Higher Cal/OSHA Penalties. Cal/OSHA Summary of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses Due on 2/1. DWC Proposes More Amendments to QME Regulations. Agile Occupational Medicine and Pinnacle HealthCare Announce Merger.

January 23, 2023 – News Podcast


Rene Thomas Folse, JD, Ph.D. is the host for this edition which reports on the following news stories: NLRB Substantially Increases Damages For Labor Law Violations. Appeal of Labor Commissioner Award Requires Specific Surety Bond. KCRA-TV Fraud Documentary Triggers EDD Congressional Inquiry. DWC Posts Reminder for Submission of Annual Report of Inventory. Department of Insurance Appoints Three CIGA Board Members. Sedgwick and DMEC Report on Long COVID Solutions “Think Tank”. High Volume Orthopedic Surgical Practice Has Better Outcomes. Kaiser Health News Says Smartphone May Become Next Doctors’ Office.

January 16, 2023 – News Podcast


Rene Thomas Folse, JD, Ph.D. is the host for this edition which reports on the following news stories: Panel Clarifies WCAB Limits for Vacating Stipulations of Parties. Court Rejects Constitutional Challenge to Medical Malpractice Recovery Limits. California/Illinois Attorney Generals Sue Drugmakers for Price Gouging. Major McDonald’s Franchise to Pay $2 Million to Settle EEOC Lawsuit. Girardi Lawfirm CFO Denied Bail in $10 Million Client Theft Case. SoCal Man Pleads Guilty of Selling Used and Counterfeit Medical Devices. Owner of Home Health Care Agencies Sentenced for $31M Fraud. State Bar Streamlined Disciplinary Proposal Raises Oversight Concerns. Fatal Occupational Injuries Increased 8.9% in 2021. The Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drug Company Expands Social Mission.

January 9, 2023 – News Podcast


Rene Thomas Folse, JD, Ph.D. is the host for this edition which reports on the following news stories: WCAB Says Injured County Inmate on Work Program is an Employee. Judge Issues Order Stopping the DIR From Implementing Fast Food Act. California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA) Now Applicable to Employers. CWCI Study Shows WC Hospitalizations Continue to Decline. NIH Launches Pilot Telehealth Research Program. Hospital Closure Triggers Central California Emergency Declarations. Study Shows Robotic Knee Surgeries Reduce Bone and Soft-Tissue injury. Researchers Find Good Knee and Hip Surgery Outcomes in Patients Over 90.

January 2, 2023 – News Podcast


Rene Thomas Folse, JD, Ph.D. is the host for this edition which reports on the following news stories: WCAB Orders Attorney to Identify Name of Employer per Rule 10390(a). NLRB Says USC Student Athletes are USC, Pac-12 and NCAA Employees. NLRB Reinstates Off-Duty Employee Rights to Access Employer’s Property. San Diego Pain Management Doctor and Office Manager Indicted. Fake Doctor Charged for 2nd Offense of Illegal Botox Injections. Labor Commissioner Collects $1.3M for Bakersfield Contractor Violations. WCIRB Reports Premiums Up 7% – But Combined Loss Ratio is 111%. Private Equity Firms Invest $206B In 1,400 Healthcare Acquisitions in 2021. Hospital Size and Teaching Status Produce Better Orthopedic Outcome. Factoring Decline in Life Expectancy When Reserving Lifetime Awards.

December 19, 2022 – News Podcast


Rene Thomas Folse, JD, Ph.D. is the host for this edition which reports on the following news stories: Health Net Loses $14.4M Jury Verdict Over Surgery Delay. Timely Arbitration Request Required by Employer in Multiple Forums. Neurosurgeon to Serve 5 Years for $3.3 Million Kickback Scheme. California Joins 17 States in Employment Definition Classification Battle. New California Law Mandating Bereavement Leave Starts January 1. OSIP Reports Public Self-Insured Claim Volume and Losses Soared. NCCI Surveys Top WC Industry Concerns Heading Into 2023. WCIRB Studies Medical Characteristics of Cumulative Trauma Claims. CMS Expected to Be More Aggressive With WC Payers in 2023. Study Shows 7.4 Million Diagnostic Errors Annually in Emergency Rooms.

December 12, 2022 – News Podcast


Rene Thomas Folse, JD, Ph.D. is the host for this edition which reports on the following news stories: Court Rules on “Contentious” Med-Legal Associates Litigation With QME. Proof of “Prejudice” Required for Laches to Bar 20 Year Old Lien. Unused Portion of SJDB Voucher Expires 2 Years After Issuance. Employer’s Arbitration Motion Fails for Poor Documentation. Twice Convicted SoCal Insurance Agent Sentenced for Theft. Dignity Health and Tenet Healthcare Agree to Pay $22.5M for False Claims. Essilor Laboratories Resolves Kickback Case for $23.8M. DWC Opens Registration for 30th Annual Educational Conference. Environment, Health & Safety Conference Set for January in Long Beach. Six Major Pharmacies Settle WC Prescription Overcharge Claims for $16M.

December 5, 2022 – News Podcast


Rene Thomas Folse, JD, Ph.D. is the host for this edition which reports on the following news stories: Failure to Admit Medical Records Dooms Employer’s Apportionment. Carriers Not Required to Notify Insured of WCIRB Classification Changes. City Immune from Suit for Bad Advice to Injured Police Officer. School District COVID Vaccination Mandates Preempted by State Law. O.C. Pharmacist Guilty of 22 Felonies for $11M Insurance Fraud. DIR Sends Employers Notice of More Than $1.5B in 2023 Assessments. Oregon Report Says California Has 3rd Highest Comp Rates in Nation. American Bar Association Lowers the Bar to Law School Admission. Low Back Pain Study of 17,326 Records Has Sobering Conclusions. Pharmacy Cutbacks Cause Big Delays for Customers in Bay Area.

November 21, 2022 – News Podcast


Rene Thomas Folse, JD, Ph.D. is the host for this edition which reports on the following news stories: Employer Cannot Refuse to Hire Worker on Medical Examination Alone. Attorney General Sues Team Owner & NFL for Hostile Workplace Cover-up. Temporary Total Disability Rates for 2023 to Increase by 5.16%. WCIRB Releases Multibureau Evaluation of COVID-19 Claims & Costs. Former DIR Director Critical of Cal/OSHA’s COVID Regulations. EK Health Announces New “Billtelligent” Medical Bill Review Technology. Amazon Plans New Virtual Care Offering Based on Messaging. Industry Leaders Share Ideas at Healthcare Conference in Las Vegas.