Posts by pcdev

Cal/OSHA stands for the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health, the state agency responsible for enforcing workplace safety and health regulations. While Cal/OSHA does not handle workers’ compensation claims directly, its role in investigating workplace hazards, accidents, and safety violations can impact a workers’ compensation case. What Does Cal/OSHA Do? Cal/OSHA’s primary duties include:…

In a California workers’ compensation case, a benefit notice is a written communication sent by the insurance company to an injured worker. This notice explains the status of benefits, including what benefits are approved, denied, delayed, or modified. Benefit notices are required by law and are meant to ensure that injured workers understand what to…

The Audit Unit is a division of the California Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) that monitors how insurance companies, self-insured employers, and third-party administrators handle workers’ compensation claims. Its goal is to ensure that claims are processed correctly, benefits are paid on time, and injured workers are treated fairly under California law. What Does the…

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal law that protects individuals with disabilities from discrimination in the workplace. In a workers’ compensation case, the ADA may apply if an injured worker develops a lasting impairment that affects their ability to perform their job. Employers must provide reasonable accommodations to help injured workers return…

In a California workers’ compensation case, the terms AOE (Arising Out of Employment) and COE (Occurring in the Course of Employment) are used to determine whether an injury is work-related and eligible for benefits. If an injury meets both conditions, the worker may qualify for medical treatment and disability benefits through workers’ compensation. What Does…

In California workers’ compensation cases, an Application for Adjudication of Claim (often called an application or app) is a legal document that formally opens a case with the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB). Injured workers file this application when there is a dispute over benefits, such as a denied claim or disagreements about medical treatment,…

In a California workers’ compensation case, apportionment refers to the process of determining what percentage of an injured worker’s disability is caused by their workplace injury versus a pre-existing condition or prior injury. If an injury is partially work-related and partially due to a previous condition, the worker’s permanent disability benefits may be reduced based…