WorkCompAcademy | Weekly News

Rene Thomas Folse, JD, Ph.D. is the host for this edition which reports on the following news stories: City Owes Make-Whole Relief for Disregard of its Bargaining Duty. WCAB Affirms Lien Dismissal for Missing 4903.05(c) Declaration. No Fair Procedure Doctrine for Staffing Company Physician Removal. Former O.C. Superior Court Judge Sentenced For SIBTF Fraud. Owner Pleads Guilty to $2.2M in Fraudulent Hospice Care Claims. WCIRB Reports on Medical Service Cost Trends Through 2025. Lawfirm Options for AI Deployment Remain Unclear and Unsettled. RAND Puzzled by New Injured Worker Access to Care Study.

Rene Thomas Folse, JD, Ph.D. is the host for this edition which reports on the following news stories: For Differing Reasons - Supreme Court Affirms Mayor v WCAB. Employer Waives Arbitration Right By Litigation Delay. No "Defacto Cap" on $13M Noneconomic Damages in LAPD Case. Order Denying Renewed Motion to Arbitrate is Not Appealable. Startup Chaired by Former US Senator Resolves Upcoding Case for $24M. RAND Reports on Senate Bill 1160’s Impact on Utilization Review. New Los Angeles County's Hotel Worker Protection Ordinance in Effect. Pew Research Provides Public Input for AI Use in Comp Healthcare.

Rene Thomas Folse, JD, Ph.D. is the host for this edition which reports on the following news stories: EFAA Election Mid-Arbitration Ok for New Sexual Harassment Case. 10 States Warn of Fake WCJ or Attorney Comp Fraud Scam. Bay Area Couple Face Premium and Payroll Tax Fraud Charges. Gann Fire Triggers Insurance Policy Moratorium Under New Laws. San Francisco Amends Paid Parental Leave Ordinance. FAA Proposed Rule Targets California Meal and Rest Hour Break Law. Reliability of MRI? - Same Brain, Different Scanner, Different Result. VA Tops Healthcare System-Wide Pharmaceutical Costs Saving.

Rene Thomas Folse, JD, Ph.D. is the host for this edition which reports on the following news stories: Counties Not Pension Boards Control Retirement Pay and Classifications. CHP Officer's Dishonesty Dismissal Reduced to One-Year Suspension. Employer's Narrowly Worded Arbitration Clause Not Enforceable. Is Subrogation Available in Injured Federal Worker Malpractice Cases. No Loss of Consortium for Spouses of Injured Jones Act Seamen. Local Jurisdictions Must Include Needs of Disabled in Emergency Plans. New MRI-Based System Predicts Achilles Tendon Tear Location. Orthobiologics Are Growing Faster Than the Evidence to Support it.

Rene Thomas Folse, JD, Ph.D. is the host for this edition which reports on the following news stories: California Laws Might Not Protect Remote Workers in Other States. 9th Circuit Declines to Compel Arbitration of ERISA Claim. Suspension of SCIF Attorney for Failing Cybersecurity Tests Affirmed. Contract Formed Upon Carriers Acceptance of Policy-Limits Demand. Employer's Arbitration and Confidentiality Agreements Unconscionable. CWCI Reports Substantial Unexplained Increase in CT Claims. OLC Opinion: ADA's State "Integration Mandate" Not Required by Law. Top Court Rules Drugmaker Has No Duty to Speed Safer Drug to Market.

Rene Thomas Folse, JD, Ph.D. is the host for this edition which reports on the following news stories: No Need to Exhaust Underlying Coverage to Sue Excess Insurers. California Supreme Court Limits Public Employee Pension Spiking. Skilled Nursing Facility Chain Resolves Understaffing Case for $15M. High Gas Prices Drive Comp Mileage Rate to 76¢ on July 1. Jury Convicts Bay Area Home Health Agency CEO in Fraud Case. Santa Clara Company To Pay $180k to Resolve DEA Case. SoCal Attorney Disbarred and Pleads Guilty to Theft of Client Funds. Demise of Opioid Era Now Followed by New Generation of Pain Drugs.

Rene Thomas Folse, JD, Ph.D. is the host for this edition which reports on the following news stories: Appellate Court Reverses WCAB and Approves Policy Cancellation. Statute of Limitations Applies After Carriers Unequivocal Claim Denial. California Overhauls Subsequent Injuries Benefits Trust Fund. Rand Reports on SB 1160 Effectiveness on UR and Medical Treatment. CMS Begins Auditing Carrier Section 111 Records. Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Resolves Price Fixing Case for $29.6M. FBI's Most Wanted Healthcare Fraudster List Fugitive Arrested. Generative AI Tools Are Reshaping Insurance Fraud Risks.

Rene Thomas Folse, JD, Ph.D. is the host for this edition which reports on the following news stories: WCAB Seeks Sanctions For Use of Legal Treatise Publisher's AI. 9th Circuit Reviews ADA Atty Fees in High Frequency Litigant Case. QME to Assign Percent Causation of Good Faith Personnel Action Event. Remaining Defendants Settle Health Coverage Fraud Case. San Jose Road Rage Driver Sentenced for Insurance Fraud. WCIRB Reports Carriers Slipped Into Underwriting Loss in 2025. California First State to Launch AI-Unemployment Tracker (CAIT). Grand Jury Says Ventura County Has Best in Class Claims Program.

Rene Thomas Folse, JD, Ph.D. is the host for this edition which reports on the following news stories: Cal Supreme Court Clarifies Federal Court Two-Dismissal Rule. 3rd DCA Adopts 2nd DCA Cook Decision on Overbroad Arbitration Agreements. Workplace Restraining Order Affirmed Against School Board Member. OSHA Citation Extends to Hospital's Management Company. Federal Anti-Arbitration Law Applies to FEHA Sexual Orientation Case. Lawyers Held to State Bar Ethics Civility Provisions in Pro-Per Cases. 9th Circuit Interprets the EFAA's Application Timing Provisions. Intense Opposition Kills Proposed Law Limiting Athletes' Claims.

Rene Thomas Folse, JD, Ph.D. is the host for this edition which reports on the following news stories: WCAB En Banc Ruled Orders Suspending Action Requires Due Process. Ethics Slip Voids Lawyers' Retainer in $374M Global Settlement. Manageability No Basis to Breakup Joinder of 440 Tesla Workers Cases. Unlicensed Contractor Rules for Homeowner Negligence Case Clarified. Court Backs Insurance Commissioner on FAIR Plan Surcharges. California AG Targets Illegal Corporate Practice of Medicine. NCCI Report Examines Relationship Between Payroll and Losses. No Surprises Act "Outrageous" Arbitration Awards Cost Carriers Billions.

Rene Thomas Folse, JD, Ph.D. is the host for this edition which reports on the following news stories: Appellate Court Rules Cal/OSHA May Investigate Like a Grand Jury. Class Certification Denied in Carrier "Hidden Premium" Case. Court Rules 500 S.F. Municipal Attorneys Remain At-Will Employees. UPS Mechanic Sentenced for Workers Compensation Fraud. Healthcare Fraud Takedown Results in 10 SoCal Defendants Charged. Incarcerated Prisoner Charged in $9.5M Medicare Fraud Scheme. ACOEM Releases New Workplace Lifestyle Medicine Guide. AI Beats Physicians in Diagnoses of Joint Replacement Infections.

Rene Thomas Folse, JD, Ph.D. is the host for this edition which reports on the following news stories: Plaintiff Need Not Prove Anyone "Actually Viewed" Stolen Medical Data. Tesla Freemont Yard Hostlers Engage in Interstate Commerce. Courts Have Broad Discretion to Reduce PAGA Penalties and Fees. Judge Said Use of AI Was "Worst Example of Misconduct by a Lawyer". Rising SoCal CT Claims Are Shifting Costs and Claim Patterns. Cal/OSHA National Trench Safety Stand Down Week. Harvard Poll Shows Dramatic Decline in Trust in Federal Health Agencies. Comp Medical Inflation Driven by Growing Use of Unlisted Codes.

Rene Thomas Folse, JD, Ph.D. is the host for this edition which reports on the following news stories: Exclusive Remedy Applies During Unpaid Lunch Break. 1st & 5th DCA Disagree on FCRA Class Action Standing Requirement. Court Must Decide if Federal or State Arbitration Law Applies. CVS Resolves Insulin Pen Overbilling Medi-Cal Case for $36.5M. S.F. Telehealth Company Resolves False Claims Case for $3.325M. CWCI Reports Private Self-Insured Claims Fall But Losses Rise. DOJ Declares EEOC's Disparate-Impact Guidelines Unconstitutional. Study Shows High Attrition Rate for Surgeons Nationwide.

Rene Thomas Folse, JD, Ph.D. is the host for this edition which reports on the following news stories:New Trial for Historical 19 Year Long Employment Law Class Action. FAA’s Arbitration Exemption Extended to “Last-Mile” Delivery Drivers. Arizona AG Sues Eight Major Health Insurers For Price Fixing. Massachusetts AG Sues UnitedHealthcare For Alleged $100M Fraud. Burbank Lab Owner Sentenced to 51 Months for Health Care Fraud. 9th Circuit Sanctioned Orange County Attorneys After AI Use. Governor's Executive Order Aims to Soften AI’s Impact. IAIABC NextGen Awards Recognize 7 WorkComp Leaders.

Rene Thomas Folse, JD, Ph.D. is the host for this edition which reports on the following news stories: Supreme Court Sets Oral Argument in WCAB Grant for Study Controversy. No Duty for Employer to Accommodate Undisclosed Mental Disability. Employer's Sexual Harassment Investigation May Not Be Privileged. 3 SoCal Residents Convicted for $2B International Prescription Fraud. Four Drivers Arraigned in Alleged Staged Crash Scheme. Stericycle Resolves DEA Criminal and Civil Allegations for $56M. DWC Posts RAND Report on Medical-Legal Process. Digital Twin Virtual Knee Replica Used to Test Surgical Approaches

Rene Thomas Folse, JD, Ph.D. is the host for this edition which reports on the following news stories: Stepchild Entitled to Conclusive Presumption of Total Dependency. Employer's $257K Attorney Fee Award Against Employee Affirmed. Major Drug Maker to Pay $13.6M to Resolve Kickback Case. Owner of Health Care Software Company Convicted for $1B Fraud. When Can Treating Physician Use Narrative Report for RFA Forms? DWC Releases Independent Medical Review Report for 2025. WCIRB Publishes it Quarterly Experience Report Q4 2025. Eleven Insurance Commissioner Candidates on June 2 Primary Ballot.

Rene Thomas Folse, JD, Ph.D. is the host for this edition which reports on the following news stories: WCAB Arbitrator Held to Same Procedural Standards as WCJ. SCIF Prevails in 20 Year Long Employer Premium Audit Litigation. Employers File More RICO Actions Against Plaintiff Lawyers. Court Finds County Liable for Losing Personnel & CalPERS Records. Sutter Health Resolves ERISA Class Action for $4.3M. Jury Convicts Bay Area Man of Insurance Fraud After 7 Day Trial. Huntington Park Doctor Resolves False Claim Act Case for $6.7M. Stanford Breakthrough Could Make Knee Replacement Obsolete.

Rene Thomas Folse, JD, Ph.D. is the host for this edition which reports on the following news stories: Railcar Repairman Not Under FAA Transportation Worker Exemption. Staffing Company Arbitration Agmt. Not Applicable to Employer. O.C. PET Scan Provider to Pay 8.3M to Resolve Kickback Case. Clinic Pays $750K to Resolve Illegal Use of Misbranded Implants. California DOI Takes Enforcement Action Against State Farm. WCRI Compares 36 States Hospital Outpatient Surgery Payments. WCRI Reports Comp Claim Costs Grew 6 Percent Annually 2022-2025. Last Holdout Regeneron Signs On to Most Favored Nation Pricing.

Rene Thomas Folse, JD, Ph.D. is the host for this edition which reports on the following news stories: Court of Appeal May Rely on WCAB Unread Certified Record. Court of Appeal Rejects Opinions of Leading Law Treatises. Going and Coming Rule Not Negated by Hybrid Working From Home. California Uber Drivers Allege Uber Violated Prop 22 Provisions. $2M Fraud Proceeds Seized From Pasadena Wound Care Clinic. DOL Proposes Changes to Joint Employer Status Rule Under FLSA. Cal/OSHA Releases Updated Draft Workplace Violence Rule. First Overhaul of Brain Injury Classification in 50 Years.

Rene Thomas Folse, JD, Ph.D. is the host for this edition which reports on the following news stories: WCAB Panel Says Applicant Credibility Issue Justifies Take Nothing. Exclusive Remedy Bars Fraud Case Against TPA and Claim Adjuster. Zurich Claims $1.1M in Unpaid Staffing Company Comp Premiums. FEHA Standing Applies to Nursing Student on Clinical Rotations. Trial Court Denial of Workers' Class Action Certification Reversed. Former Teacher Pleads Guilty in $51 Million Medicare Fraud Scheme. DOI Seeks Limits on Insurance Ratemaking Intervenor's Fees. First New Fibromyalgia Drug in 15 Years Hits the Market.

Rene Thomas Folse, JD, Ph.D. is the host for this edition which reports on the following news stories: 132a Reversed Because WCAB Systematically Ignored Evidence. Reconsideration Denied in SCIF Commutation Significant Panel Decision. New York Federal Court Extends FEHA Reach in High Profile Case. Med Examiner Steals Necklace While Investigating Death of Worker. Podiatrist Sentenced for $3.2 Million Healthcare Fraud. Former UCLA Doctor Sentenced to More Than a Decade in Prison. The Doctor's Office Diagnostic Suite: In-Office Needle Arthroscopy.

Rene Thomas Folse, JD, Ph.D. is the host for this edition which reports on the following news stories: 9th Circuit Strikes Down Most of California's Dialysis Law - AB 290. Ventura Contractor Charged with Workers’ Compensation Fraud. Orange County Man Pleads Guilty to $270M Prescription Fraud. "Ketamine Queen" to Serve 15 Years For Matthew Perry Death. Corrupt SoCal ChiroMed Clinic Operator Sentenced to 18 Years. Federal Crackdown Nets Eight in $50M+ Health Care Fraud Schemes. NSC Study Shows Benefits of Workplace Injury Prevention Technology. Bone-Anchored Prosthetics Gain Ground With New Research.

Rene Thomas Folse, JD, Ph.D. is the host for this edition which reports on the following news stories: Lien Dismissal for Failure to File Declaration Under § 4903.05(c). Court of Appeal to Decide Limits on Corporate Practice of Medicine. Collateral Estoppel Cannot be Used to Invalidate Arbitration Agreements. Commission Censures and Bars Former Orange County Judge. IHSS Worker Pleads Guilty to Workers' Comp Fraud. House Committee Launches Investigation of SoCal Hospice Fraud. New Recognized Holidays List in Prevailing Wage Determinations. GLP-1 Meds - Ozempic/Wegovy - and Orthopedic Surgery Risk.

Rene Thomas Folse, JD, Ph.D. is the host for this edition which reports on the following news stories: 9th Circuit Rejects Application of California Arbitration Law. Anti-SLAPP Motion Denial Affirmed in University Retaliation Case. Express Language in Arbitration Agreement Required for Use of FAA. Repayment Funds May be Required if Class Settlement Revoked. Man Indicted for $90M Medical Equipment Medicare Advantage Fraud. SoCal Woman to Serve 3 Years for Diagnostic and Hospice Fraud. Sutter Facilities to Pay $3.2 Million to Resolve Alleged CSA Violations. Lumbar Subcutaneous Adipose Classification MRI For Fusion Risk.

Rene Thomas Folse, JD, Ph.D. is the host for this edition which reports on the following news stories: LA City College Owes Damages for Blind Students Inadequate Accommodations. Companies Allegedly Sell EHR Data to Mass Tort Plaintiff Lawyers. Janitorial Company Arbitration Clause Passes Unconscionability Tests. Fraud Crackdowns Announced From Whitehouse to Los Angeles. Two LAPD Officers Arrested for Unemployment Insurance Fraud. Carmichael Man Charged for Making Threats Against a Judge. EEOC Rescinds 2024 Enforcement Guidance on Workplace Harassment. FDA Gives "Breakthrough" Status to AI Chatbot for Surgical Recovery.

Rene Thomas Folse, JD, Ph.D. is the host for this edition which reports on the following news stories: Court Strikes $1M Worker's Punitive Damages for Lack of Evidence. DOI, Consumer Watchdog and State Farm Reach Settlement. Man To Serve 7 Years for Threatening to Kill Orange County Judge. Owners of SoCal Towing Companies Arrested for $6M Comp Fraud. DWC posts proposal to update ADA accommodation regulations. Quiet Knee Protocol - Less Is More After Surgery. Insurance Carriers May Face Private Credit Meltdown Risk. Medicare Advantage Overpayments Inflate Premiums for All.

Rene Thomas Folse, JD, Ph.D. is the host for this edition which reports on the following news stories: WCAB Affirms Take Nothing Based on Worker Credibility Issues. Court Declines to Overturn Arbitration Award in Favor of Employer. Good Forensic Mesothelioma Evidence Leads to $50 M Verdict. LAPD Officer Seen Skydiving Charged with Exaggerating Comp Injury. Multiple Family Members Arraigned for Auto Insurance Fraud. Tragic Death Uncovers Alleged Insurance Fraud. The New CMS TEAM Model May Enhance Workers' Comp Cases. FSML Annual Employment Law Conference Set for June 5, 2026.

Rene Thomas Folse, JD, Ph.D. is the host for this edition which reports on the following news stories: AI Is Not A Lawyer - and No Attorney-Client Privilege Applies. Supreme Court Hohenshelt Ruling Gains Traction in Pending Cases. City of Los Angeles Prevails in City Attorney Discrimination Case. Former NFL Player and Lab Owner Convicted in $328M Medicare Fraud. NorCal Tow Company Operator Sentenced for Insurance Fraud. Employers Should Address New Postal Service "Postmark" Rule. DOJ Sues UCLA for Hostile Work Environment. New "Smart Knee" Implant Helps Post-Operative Recovery.

Rene Thomas Folse, JD, Ph.D. is the host for this edition which reports on the following news stories: City of Santa Ana Prevails in Injured Workers FEHA Case. Exclusive Remedy Ends City Office Workers Asbestos Lawsuit. Court of Appeal Affirms Workplace Violence Restraining Order. Bayer Now Proposes $7.25B Roundup Litigation Settlement. Two SoCal Attorney's 13 Year Dispute Resolves Complex Litigation Issues. More Employment Cases Unravel After Supreme Court Arbitration Ruling. CDI Proposes Amendments to Prop 103 Intervenor Process. DIR Proposes to Adopt Workplace Inspections Walkaround Rule.

Rene Thomas Folse, JD, Ph.D. is the host for this edition which reports on the following news stories: Exclusive Remedy Applies to Cal/OSHA Rule Violations. LCO Resolves Farm Workers' Wage-and-Hour Case for $6M. Former NFL Player Convicted for $197M Medicare Fraud. 8 Carriers Targeted for Advance Premium Tax Credit Fraud Probe. The Workplace Overdose Reversal Kits (WORK) to Save Lives Act. OSHA Clarifies Recording Workplace Injuries Related to Lithium-Ion Batteries. ACOEM Studies Office Space/Room Design for Excessive Sitting. Congress Extends Telehealth & Hospital-at-Home Waivers.

Rene Thomas Folse, JD, Ph.D. is the host for this edition which reports on the following news stories: Entities Related to Convicted Felon Dr. Grusd in 8th Year of Lien Litigation. Employees Can Sue for Even Technical ICRAA Disclosure Violations. Illegible Fine Print May Not Invalidate Arbitration Agreement. 2026 Young Worker Leadership Academy Set For February 12-14. DOI Proposes California FAIR Plan Legislation. P/C Market to Have Lowest Net Combined Ratio in Decade. New Section 111 Reporting Audit Process Begins in 2026. FTC vs. Express Scripts Litigation Settlement Should Lower Drug Prices.

Rene Thomas Folse, JD, Ph.D. is the host for this edition which reports on the following news stories: Lien Consolidation Orders Require Reasons & Summary of Evidence. Fed Court Uses Rule 23(d) to Limit Arbitration Opt Out Abuse. Current Status of Non-Compete Clauses in Employment Contracts. New QME Process Regulation Section 55.1 in Effect on April 1. The DWC Proposes New Regulation Restricting Depo Fees. Study Shows California's Heat Standard and Reduction in Deaths. BLS Reports Employer-Reported Workplace Injuries Down 3.1%. Gallup Poll of 22K Workers Shows Increases in AI Use.

Rene Thomas Folse, JD, Ph.D. is the host for this edition which reports on the following news stories: Ventura Staffing Company to Pay $650K for Fake Comp Policies. WorkWhile to Pay $4.1M to Resolve Misclassification Case. Drug Prices Up 4% as PBM Federal/State Regulations Increase. DWC Posts Reminder for Submission of Annual Report of Inventory. California WARN Act Changes Effective January 1, 2026. Congress Proposes Changes to Federal WARN Act. Bristol Myers Squibb & Microsoft AI-Driven Lung Cancer Detection. WCRI Reports on Injectable Therapies in Workers’ Compensation.

Rene Thomas Folse, JD, Ph.D. is the host for this edition which reports on the following news stories: Court Reverses WCAB in Another "Grant-For-Study" Case. Commutation of Attorney Fees in Lifetime Award Ends After Full Payment. Interstate Commerce Not Required for FAA Arbitration Clause. Employers Face New "Know Your Rights" Handout February Deadline. Public Self-Insured Comp Claims Fell But Losses Hit New Highs. Court Draws Major Distinction Between IFPA Comp & Lability Fraud. Doctor Sentenced to Serve 9 Years and License Revoked. DOJ and Kaiser Permanente Affiliates Resolve Fraud Case for $556M.

Rene Thomas Folse, JD, Ph.D. is the host for this edition which reports on the following news stories: Pension Denied for Injured Deputy's Unreasonable Refusal of Surgery. Court Denies Carriers Suit Against Attorneys for Worker's Fraudulent Claim. Admin Remedies Not Required for Firefighter's Whistleblower Action. Law Violation Not Required for Application of Whistleblower Protections. Superior Court Judge Resigns & Pleads Guilty to Defrauding SIBTF. S.F. City Official to Serve 3 Years for $600K Work Comp Fund Theft. Proposed New Law Takes Aim at Insurance Company Conduct. Research Lab to Pay $1M for Controlled Substances Violations.

Rene Thomas Folse, JD, Ph.D. is the host for this edition which reports on the following news stories: Court Removes Comp & Liability Provisions From Fair Plan Policies. Another SoCal Attorney Sanctioned for an AI Appellate Brief. Grounds for County of LA Workplace Violence Restraining Order Affirmed. Employer's Class Action Pre-Certification Conduct Waives Arbitration. Physician to Serve 2.5 Years For Selling Ketamine to Matthew Perry. Previously Convicted Fresno Healthcare CEO Arrested for $7M Fraud. CEO Convicted in $100M Health Care Fraud Scheme. Four Face Sentencing in Staged Collision Insurance Fraud Case. National Company Pays $500K For Unlawful "No Poaching" Agreements. Prop 103 Reform Competing Ballot Measures Declare Armistice.

Rene Thomas Folse, JD, Ph.D. is the host for this edition which reports on the following news stories: Honda Dealership Prevails in PAGA Wage Hour Dispute. Court Clarifies When a PAGA Settlement Resolves Multiple Lawsuits. Wells Fargo Pays $85M to Settle Fake Diversity Job Interview Class Action. Worker Misclassification Rules Under Public Works Contracts Clarified. CVS Pharmacy Inc. Resolves False Claim Act for $18.3M. Fraudulent Claimants Paid Millions to Indicted VA Claims Examiner. CalChamber Reports 2024 PAGA Reforms are Successful. JOEM Study Shows Asthma Caused by Cannabis Industry Exposures.

Rene Thomas Folse, JD, Ph.D. is the host for this edition which reports on the following news stories: IMR Required Despite No Substantive Change in Medical Condition. City & County of San Francisco Prevails in Disabled Retiree FEHA Claim. High Level California Political Figures Indicted for Fraud. Top 10 OSHA Violations Topic at NSC Safety Congress & Expo. Monterey Grower to Pay $126K For Workers Pesticide Exposure. L.A. Fire Survivors Call for Insurance Commissioner Resignation. New App Makes ER an Unnecessary Step for Orthopedic Injury. Novartis Opens New Manufacturing Facility in Carlsbad.

Rene Thomas Folse, JD, Ph.D. is the host for this edition which reports on the following news stories: Cal Supreme Court Says Criminal Misgendering Law is Constitutional. Aetna Resolves SoCal Denial of Disc Surgery Class Action. Uber/Lyft Sued for Passenger Gender Preference Programs. Inland Empire Hospice Operators Sentenced in Fraud Case. NYT: "California Promised Insurance Relief, But Delivered Loopholes". Costco, Ryder Last Mile, Mega Nice Trucking Cited for Misclassification. NCCI Publishes 3rd Quarter Medical Inflation Insights Report. 12,500 Attend World's Largest Annual Safety Event.

Rene Thomas Folse, JD, Ph.D. is the host for this edition which reports on the following news stories: Trader Joe's Successfully Defends Worker's Retaliatory Termination Case. Visiting Store Just to Build a Lawsuit No Defense to Unruh Damages. CDC Adopts Individual-Based Decision-Making for COVID-19 Shots. DOI Seeks Public Input on Proposed Long-Term Solvency Regulation. DWC Opens Registration for 33rd Annual Educational Conference. NCCI Reports on Remote Work and WC Frequency. DWC Posts Draft Regulations Updating EAMS Rules. New Drug Launch Price Increases Exceed Inflation Benchmarks.

Rene Thomas Folse, JD, Ph.D. is the host for this edition which reports on the following news stories: DIR, Uber and Lyft Battle About Cal/OSHA Jurisdiction Over Drivers. Marin County Woman Sentenced for Insurance Fraud. Recruiters & Fraud Discovered in LA County $4B Sexual Abuse Case. DOJ and Kaiser Permanente Near Settlement of $1B Fraud Case. New Law Prohibits ‘Stay or Pay’ Employment Contracts. Congress Set to Review Another Lawsuit Abuse Reduction Act. Federal Judiciary Limiting Operations As Funding Ran Out Monday. Sutter Health Use of AI Improves Cancer Detection Rates.

Rene Thomas Folse, JD, Ph.D. is the host for this edition which reports on the following news stories: WCAB En Banc Coldiron Decisions Not Superseded by New Regs. Hospital Association Files Lawsuit Against California Spending Caps. New Laws Get Tough on Illegally Uninsured Contractors. New Automated Employment Decision Systems (AEDS) Regulations. Oracle AI Database Increases Children's Hospital L.A. Efficiency 98%. Pharmacist Job Postings Increased 38% Nationwide in 2025. Health Net Settles Inaccurate Provider Directories Case for $40M. Remote Workers Will Take 25% Pay Cut, But Actually Get 1% More.

Rene Thomas Folse, JD, Ph.D. is the host for this edition which reports on the following news stories: Appellate Court Rejects WCAB View on Pro-Athlete Jurisdiction Law. Employer Has No Right to Arbitrate Headless PAGA Action. Clear and Unmistakable Evidence is Words in the Arbitration Agreement. LA Jury Awards $966M to Decedent's Family in J&J Talc Related Case. CDI Files Action Against Tesla For Insurance Business Practices. Retailer to Pay $1.3M for California Consumer Privacy Act Violations. Governor Newsom Vetoes the Proposed SIBTF Reform Law. Three Researchers (One in California) Awarded Nobel Prize in Medicine.

Rene Thomas Folse, JD, Ph.D. is the host for this edition which reports on the following news stories: WCAB Intends to Sanction Applicants Attorneys for "Fabricated" Citations. Chiropractic Care Limited to 24 Visits Despite Multiple Injuries. Time to File Applicant's Attorney Malpractice Claim Tolled by Disability. Nationwide Event Security Firm Resolves Fair Chance Hiring Act Case. Employer Groups Obtain Preliminary Injunction Against SB 399. CA Heat Standard Reduced Work Injuries by Over 15% on Hot Days. Cal/OSHA to Investigate UPS Worker Killed by Boxes in Truck. US Commercial Auto Insurance Has $10B Underwriting Loss.

Rene Thomas Folse, JD, Ph.D. is the host for this edition which reports on the following news stories: Starbucks Face Class Actions Over Costs of New Dress Code. Westlaw Copyright Suit Win vs First AI Competitor on Appeal. Partial Summary Judgement Granted in Grimmway Farms ADA Case. Irvine Couple Arrested for 21 Counts of Medical Insurance Fraud. Bay Area Employers Guilty of Wage Theft and Premium Fraud. New H-1B Restrictions Cause California Tech Industry Chaos. UC Davis Awarded $2.8 Million Grant to Create AI Pathology Tool. UCSD Virtual Transfer of Care Clinic Cuts Readmissions by 26%.

Rene Thomas Folse, JD, Ph.D. is the host for this edition which reports on the following news stories: California to Pay $3.3M in FEHA Damages + $4.9M Attorney Fees. Uber Sued For $125M by DOJ for Riders' Disability Discrimination. Published Opinion Sanctions LA Attorney for "AI Fabricated Authorities". Feds Sue Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP) for False Medi-Cal Claims. Oxnard Man Faces Felony Charges For Fraudulent Injury. CWCI Reports Functional Restoration Programs 59% More Costly. Stanford Study Shows Shift From AI as Tool to Physician Teammate. California Counties Face Skyrocketing Insurance Cost.

Rene Thomas Folse, JD, Ph.D. is the host for this edition which reports on the following news stories: Physician's Suspension by DIR Unaffected by PC 1385 Dismissal. Carriers Not Obligated to Refund Approved but Excessive Rates. DOJ Tough Stance on Discrimination in Places of Public Accommodation. Employer Liability for No HR Response to Offsite Sexual Harassment. Man Pleads Guilty to Impersonating Doctors to Prescribe Narcotics. Owner of San Diego Residential Care Facility Faces Felony Charges. OSHA Concluding Public Input on Proposed Heat Injury Regs. President Trump Targets Direct-to-Consumer Pharmaceutical Ads.

Rene Thomas Folse, JD, Ph.D. is the host for this edition which reports on the following news stories: Corrections Officer Wrongly Accused of WC Fraud Sues Employer. Supreme Court Clears Worker Injured at Yacht Club to Sue Employer. Burbank Blood Test Lab Owner Pleads Guilty in Fraud Case. Jury Finds L.A. Personal Injury Lawyer Guilty of Money Laundering. Owner Sets Fire to Fresno Restaurant For Insurance Fraud. ACOEM Reports Long COVID Linked to Work Productivity Loss. Walgreens Agrees to Continue Providing Essential Pharmacy Services. State Drug Pricing Preemption Battle Launched in 9th Circuit.

Rene Thomas Folse, JD, Ph.D. is the host for this edition which reports on the following news stories: Supreme Ct. Limits Employer Wage/Hour Good Faith Defense Rule. Musk's X Reaches Tentative Settlement $500M Class Action. Tesla HR Execs' Lawsuit Blames HR Manager for Retaliation. Fresno Superior Court Judge Charged With Multiple Felonies. Psychiatric Group Agrees To Pay $2.75M for Fraudulent Claims. Group Studies Ethical & Social Risks of Exoskeleton Use for Safety. WCRI Studies Back and Shoulder Injuries With a $65K+ Price Tag. Wildfire Survivors Vent Anger at Insurance Carriers For Claim Delays.

Rene Thomas Folse, JD, Ph.D. is the host for this edition which reports on the following news stories: 6th DCA Extends WCAB Equitable Jurisdiction Beyond 60 Days. Cal. Supreme Ct. Adds More Arbitration Agreement Exception Rules. 5th Circuit Affirms the SpaceX NLRB Constitutional Based Injunction. New Employer Burdens for OBBBA Tips/Overtime Pay Taxation. New Law Allows DIR to Issue Citations to Recover Worker Tip Theft. Stanford Announces New AI Tool That Boosts Routine Ultrasound. Employer Healthcare Costs To Increase By 9% In 2026. Judge Approves Biggest - $2.8 B - Healthcare Settlement In History.