
Strategizing Complex Cases: “Non-Submission” Medicare Set-Aside Proposal Settlements
- January 21st, 2021
- Lauren Zalona
- No comments
Workers’ compensation cases can become a lot more complex once the parties determine an MSA (Medicare set aside) proposal and CMS (Center for Medicare/Medicaid Services) approval may be needed. Submission of an MSA proposal to CMS is not always the…

Carefully Communicate with Testifying Experts!
- January 16th, 2021
- Lauren Zalona
- No comments
In California workers’ compensation, testifying experts are often involved in the litigation. Testifying experts can include anyone who may provide analysis or opinions as evidence. The evidence could come in the form of witness testimony or a written report.Ex parte…

Lessons from a Recent RTGR “Take Nothing” Lien Trial Win
- January 16th, 2021
- Lauren Zalona
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RTGR went to trial against a notorious South-bay medical lien claimant and secured a “take nothing” award. The lien was based on dates of service for a denied shoulder claim, filed just prior to the C&R which included the denied…

RTGR Secures Dismissal using Good Faith Personnel Action Defense
- January 13th, 2021
- Lauren Zalona
- No comments
RTGR obtained a case DISMISSAL WITHOUT PAYMENT for a large technology company. A software engineer filed a repetitive stress claim for physical and psychiatric injury after a supervisor questioned her work performance. In addition to psych, the body parts claimed…

Are negative reactions to COVID-19 vaccines compensable?
- December 9th, 2020
- Tom Richard
- No comments
California employers are considering offering, and in some cases mandating, that employees become inoculated with a COVID-19 vaccine before resuming their job duties. If an employee has an allergic or other negative reaction to the COVID-19 vaccine, does this create…

Employers’ AB 685 Compliance Guide
- November 17th, 2020
- Lauren Zalona
- No comments
With the passage of California Senate Bill 1159 and Assembly Bill 685, employers will now play a central role in the fight against the spread of COVID-19. They are saddled with new responsibilities which have in the past, been borne…

Bill Armstrong & Tom Richard to speak at Upcoming CSIA Webinar: Implementing AB 685 and SB 1159
- November 11th, 2020
- Lauren Zalona
- No comments
COVID-19 has disrupted the very fabric of society and suffice it to say employers are caught in a unique and challenging position. With the passage of California Senate Bill 1159 and Assembly Bill 685, employers will now play a central…

Employers’ Liability and COVID-19 upcoming presentation
- November 9th, 2020
- Tom Richard
- No comments
RTGR Law Founding Partner, Tom Richard, will be a panelist at an upcoming presentation on Employers’ Liability in the context of COVID-19, hosted by Marsh & McLennan. The panel will be discussing third-party claims, the “exclusive remedy” rule and its…

Employers’ SB 1159 Compliance Guide
- September 30th, 2020
- Tom Richard
- No comments
This article is designed to help employers and business owners understand the employer reporting obligations of SB 1159, the COVID-19 workers’ compensation presumption law. What happened? Basically, the State of California has outsourced to employers much of the public health…

COVID-19 Presumption Law In Effect Immediately
- July 29th, 2020
- Tom Richard
- No comments
SB 1159, the COVID-19 workers’ compensation presumption bill, was signed into law by the Governor on September 17, 2020, and is effective immediately. Employers and claims departments must now comply with the reporting requirements established under Labor Code § 3212.88,…