Author: SRTK Shareholders
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Published November 30, 2020
Shareholder Joanne Thomas to Present “Obtain Legally, Leverage Wisely” from the National Council of Self-Insurers
SRTK Shareholder Joanne Thomas will speak as part of the National Council of Self-Insurers’ virtual event “Obtain Legally, Leverage Wisely,” a virtual event on Tuesday, December 1st, 9:30-11:30AM PST, presented by the National Council of Self-Insurers (NCSI).
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Published November 30, 2020
Paul Zayat Secures Order Dismissing Claim in Ankle Injury Case
Paul was referred the file and immediately began aggressive discovery tactics including subpoenaing all relevant medical, scheduling the applicant’s deposition and quick and aggressive contact with applicant’s counsel questioning the validity of the claim in light of the medical records received thus far.
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Published November 13, 2020
SRTK, MedRisk, DentalWorks USA and MKCM Present Wine Wednesday, 11/18
Don’t miss an opportunity to taste amazing wines from San Clemente WIne Company, with owner Jerome Bowman discussing the finer points of five varietals, two red, two white, and a bubbly!
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Published October 30, 2020
Joanne Thomas, Tim Kinsey and Dr. Raj Das Present Best Practices for COVID-19 Workers’ Compensation Claims
SRTK Shareholders Joanne Thomas and Tim Kinsey will be joined by Dr. Raj Das to present “COVID-19 Claims… How do you respond?” This special program will explore the complexities of coronavirus-related workers’ compensation claims, and offer unique perspectives including medical guidance and best practices in defending such claims.
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Published October 23, 2020
Deadline for Reporting COVID-19 Cases is October 29th – Don’t put yourself at risk!
The updated Labor Code section 3212.88 requires employers to report to their claims administrator ALL positive test results for COVID-19 by their employees (whether a claim has been filed or not).
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Published October 20, 2020
SRTK Sponsored Event: 2020 Comp Laude
SRTK is proud to sponsor the 2020 WorkCompCentral Comp Laude virtual event, featuring four days of networking, education sessions, awards, and more!
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Published October 16, 2020
SRTK Sponsored Webinar: “Fentanyl: Evolving Role in Drug Overdose”
SRTK is proud to sponsor the upcoming webinar “Fentanyl: Evolving Role in Drug Overdose,” hosted by myMatrixx and MKCM National Case Management. Join us on December 2nd, 2020 at 11:30am Eastern (8:30am Pacific) for a webinar that offers 1 Pharmacy CEU credit in addition to in-depth analysis of fentanyl’s role in the opioid epidemic.
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Published October 8, 2020
Paul Wolfe of Novato Earns a Take Nothing
Paul Wolfe of SRTK’s Novato office recently earned a Take Nothing in a case involving an applicant who revived her case through a petition for reconsideration. Based upon this successful defense, the client will avoid the statutory 50% increase in compensation as well as further costs of litigation and defense estimated at over $40,000.
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Published October 7, 2020
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Published September 30, 2020
Worker Charged with 11 Felony Counts After Video Evidence Emerges in Workers Compensation Insurance Fraud Case
A worker who sustained injuries repairing a water line subsequently claimed additional injuries and a lack of improvement, and has been charged with multiple felony counts, including workers’ compensation fraud and presenting false documentation in order to receive compensation.
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Published September 21, 2020
Key Highlights of the COVID Presumption Law
Senate Bill 1159 and AB 685 stand to be a huge consideration in workers’ compensation cases due to COVID-19. Please review our “Key Highlights of the COVID Presumption Law,” and contact us if you have questions about what the law means for you.
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Published September 9, 2020
Aaron Hemmings and Jerry Rempel Present “Good Faith Personnel Action Defense”
SRTK Shareholders Aaron Hemmings and Jerry Rempel presented “Good Faith Personnel Action Defense” on September 9th, 2020 as part of the Valley Industrial Claims Association (VICA) three-day virtual “Summer Circus” webinar event. The event provided participants with the opportunity to earn up to 6 hours of MCLE and CEU across the six individual programs.
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Published August 27, 2020
Legislative Update: Amended COVID-19 Presumption Bills Remain Under Review as California Senate Closes Due to Coronavirus
The three bills under review to establish workers’ compensation presumptions for COVID-19 cases are still pending discussion, with more proposed amendments expected and negotiations anticipated to continue leading up to closure of the legislature’s 2020 session on Monday, August 30th. Discussion of the bills stalled when Wednesday’s floor session was canceled and the Senate closed temporarily due to a member testing positive for COVID-19.
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Published August 18, 2020
Register Now: Aaron Hemmings and Jerry Rempel to present at VICA’s “Summer Circus Series”
On Wednesday, September 9th, SRTK Shareholders Aaron Hemmings and Jerry Rempel will present a session on Good Faith personnel Defense as part of the Valley Industrial Claims Association (VICA) virtual “Summer Circus Series” event.
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Published August 14, 2020
California Legislature Votes, Will Hold Appropriations Committee Hearing on Multiple Bills to Create COVID-19 Presumptions for “Essential” and Other Workers
As we have written previously, the California state legislature will begin to hear testimony on Senate Bill 1159, in a session beginning August 11th at 10am. In addition, testimony will be heard on two other bills, Assembly Bill 196 (AB 196) and Assembly Bill 664 (AB 664). These two bills create separate presumptions, one conclusive and one rebuttable, that cover essential employees.
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Published August 10, 2020
California Legislature to Hear Testimony on Multiple Bills to Create COVID-19 Presumptions for “Essential” and Other Workers
As we have written previously, the California state legislature will begin to hear testimony on Senate Bill 1159, in a session beginning August 11th at 10am. In addition, testimony will be heard on two other bills, Assembly Bill 196 (AB 196) and Assembly Bill 664 (AB 664). These two bills create separate presumptions, one conclusive and one rebuttable, that cover essential employees.
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Published July 14, 2020
California Workers’ Compensation Anesthesiologist Charged With 88 Felony Counts in Insurance Fraud Scheme
A California workers’ compensation anesthesiologist has been charged with 88 felony counts in a healthcare insurance fraud scheme that prosecutors say cost insurance companies over $650 million in fraudulent billings.
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Published June 1, 2020
SRTK Statement on Recent Events
As a firm that both celebrates and finds strength in our diversity, SRTK is deeply saddened by the recent events in our communities across the US. We stand by those who are passionately yet peacefully opposing oppression of any form and we will continue to support our clients, team members, colleagues, and communities through a commitment to diversity and inclusion in both the workplace and the world.
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Published May 12, 2020
Executive Order N-62-20 Best Practices
Read our summary of Gavin Newsom’s Executive order N-62-20 on coronavirus (COVID-19), and our suggestions for best practices in addressing such claims.
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Published April 20, 2020
Tim Kinsey Defeats Industrial Disability Retirement Claim
Tim Kinsey successfully defeated Applicant’s claim for a CalPERS Industrial Disability Retirement, saving the City of Anaheim over $1,000,000. The JAMS Judge concluded that because Applicant resigned before participating in Anaheim’s Mandatory Permanent Modified Duty program, he precluded the City’s ability to explore modified positions and therefore denied Applicant’s request for an Industrial Disability Retirement.
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Published April 1, 2020
Workers’ Compensation Claims and Coronavirus Layoffs: Disability Liability For Workers on Modified Duty
If an employee was working modified duty under a workers’ compensation claim, and they are laid off, there is a substantial question of whether they are entitled to TTD under the workers’ compensation claim.
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Published March 16, 2020
A Message From SRTK’s Shareholders to Our Friends, Families and Valued Clients Regarding Coronavirus COVID-19
In this unsettled time, we want to reach out to you personally. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your families during this time and always. At SRTK our priority is our workers’ compensation community throughout the nation, including all of our employees and those of our clients.
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Published March 13, 2020
California Supreme Court Declines to Review or Depublish Ruling in Meadowbrook Insurance Co. v. WCAB (DFS Interpreting)
On Wednesday, the Supreme Court denied the petition for review and multiple depublication requests in the the case of Meadowbrook Insurance Co. v. WCAB (DFS Interpreting). The Court of Appeals’ November 2019 ruling will stand and be published and citable as a rule of law.
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Published March 2, 2020
New and Amended Workers’ Compensation Rules of Practice and Procedure Effective January 1, 2020
New and amended Workers’ Compensation Rules of Practice and Procedure took effect on January 1, 2020. The updated Rules include renumbering and reorganization, as well as repeals and new regulations. Click here to read our Summary for a highlight of some of the relevant changes.
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Published January 17, 2020
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Published January 13, 2020
SRTK Promotes Jerry Rempel to Shareholder, Longtime Shareholder Ted Richards to Transition to Of Counsel
SRTK is pleased to announce that Jerry Rempel has become a Shareholder of the firm. Jerry will be the Managing Shareholder of SRTK’s Sacramento and Chico offices. Jerry joined the firm in 2003 and opened the Chico office in 2004. His past 17 years of dedication and hard work are great examples of #srtkstrong.
Ted Richards is transitioning to an Of Counsel role after two decades plus with SRTK. Ted has been a workers’ comp lawyer for over 30 years, and we look forward to continuing to draw on his 30 years of workers’ comp experience and knowledge.
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Published November 22, 2019
3rd District Court of Appeal ruling in Meadowbrook Ins. Co. v. WCAB addresses timeliness of EOR and subsequent jurisdiction.
The 3rd District Court of Appeal issued a ruling in Meadowbrook Ins. Co. v. WCAB [link below] that an interpreter bill for med-legal services will be barred if the provider does not seek a second review following denial by the defendant’s EOR under the IBR/non-IBR process located in LC4603.2(e).
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Published November 22, 2019
Paul Zayat Obtains Order of Dismissal in Disputed Lung Cancer Case
Congratulations to Paul Zayat of the El Segundo office on obtaining an order of dismissal on a disputed lung cancer case! Ultimately the applicant relented and dismissed her case. At issue, should the PTP report have prevailed at trial, was 2 years of TTD, medical care, permanent disability and future medical care related to lung cancer.
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Published October 16, 2019
Yan Falkinstein Earns a Take Nothing After Vigorous Cross-Examination
Congratulations to Yan Falkinstein of our San Fernando Valley office on a hard-earned Take Nothing! Ultimately Yan was able to prove to the satisfaction of the court that the filing was based upon clerical error of the PTP’s office and there was no factual or medical evidence to support the allegation, but in the alternative the Statute of Limitations would apply.
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Published October 16, 2019
Southern California Doctor Sentenced to Two Years Over Kickbacks
Dr. Timothy J. Hunt has been ordered to serve two years in federal prison and will forfeit $3 million after admitting to taking over $1.5 million in illegal kickbacks from Pacific Hospital of Long Beach over a five year period.
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Published October 11, 2019
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Published September 16, 2019
Kimetra Newton secures win on excessive copy service fees.
Congratulations to Kimetra Newton, who scored a big win for our client, saving a large amount of money on excessive copy service fees! Kimetra was quickly recognized by our client and her colleagues for this amazing result.
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Published August 30, 2019
Kathleen Roberts Earns a Take Nothing
Kathleen Roberts, Shareholder of our San Jose office, recently earned a take nothing on an unusual pro per case involving a chemical exposure claim. The WCJ found no injury. Blood tests from a local hospital had shown an abnormality in the lungs and internal organs, and if the WCJ had found injury, the costs could have been enormous. Way to go, Kathleen!
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Published August 27, 2019
Workers’ Comp Case in New Hampshire Involving Opioids Comes Down to Employee’s Intentional Ingestion of Drugs
In a workers’ comp case involving opioids in New Hampshire, the NH Disability Rights Center and its insurer faced an argument that “where a work-related injury leads to addiction or substance abuse, that death is compensable.” The New Hampshire Supreme Court affirmed the CAB ruling to deny benefits based on the employee’s actions.
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Published July 29, 2019
Aaron Hemmings Secures Win With No Liability in Non-MPN Treatment Case
Aaron Hemmings recently secured a win in a case where the applicant alleged a CT which was initially denied. The TPA, employer and broker are all very happy with this outcome.
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Published July 8, 2019
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Published May 20, 2019
Amir Khorsand of El Segundo Earns Rare Win
Congratulations to Amir Khorsand of our El Segundo office for demonstrating superb lawyering in his recent Declaration of Readiness (DOR) win on behalf of a client.
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Published April 8, 2019
Joanne Thomas Named to Los Angeles Business Journal’s 2019 “Most Influential Women Attorneys” List
SRTK President and CEO Joanne Thomas was recently selected for inclusion in Los Angeles Business Journal’s prestigious “Most Influential Women Attorneys” list for 2019.
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Published April 5, 2019
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Published December 21, 2018
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Published December 11, 2018
Appellate Court Confirms Change in Apportionment Law
The First Appellate District Court of Appeals has reversed the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB)’s decision on a high profile apportionment case, finding the WCAB was not applying the correct standard for apportionment under Labor Code Section 4663 to nonindustrial factors of impairment.
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Published November 30, 2018
Tate Bejanyan of Woodland Hills Earns a Take Nothing
Tate Bejanyan of our Woodland Hills office obtained a finding of non-compensability on a death claim following several days of trial.
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Published November 29, 2018
Aaron Hemmings Secures a Dismissal of Claim of Injury
Aaron Hemmings secured a dismissal of claim of injury AOE/COE to the spine when the applicant’s credibility was impeached by surveillance video.
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Published November 15, 2018
Please Donate to SRTK Northern California Fire Relief
Many of our team members were severely impacted by the recent fires in Northern California. The firm has already donated to their relief, and we want to ask our community to also help in this difficult time. All donations will help our assistants and administrative staff displaced by the fires.
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Published November 6, 2018
Jeff Stander Writes Article on Post-Termination Injury Claims for WorkCompCentral
Jeff Stander’s article “Defending Against Post-Termination Physical Injury Claims” has been published on WorkCompCentral’s Work Comp World blog.
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Published October 16, 2018
Joanne Thomas Named to Top Attorneys of North America 2018-2019 by Who’s Who
Shareholder Joanne Thomas has been selected for inclusion in The Who’s Who Directories’ Top Attorneys of North America 2018-2019.
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Published October 5, 2018
SRTK 2018 Annual Attorney Training
Every year, SRTK attorneys gather to discuss new developments in the law and other effective lawyering techniques. Here are photos from this year’s event!
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Published September 24, 2018
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Published September 24, 2018
SRTK Supports Event Sponsoring Children in LA County Foster Care System
Congratulations to Team SRTK for joining others in the LA legal community yesterday morning and representing the firm in the Greater Los Angeles Association of Legal Administrators’ (GLA ALA) 11th Annual Justice Jog/Walk 5k & 10k in Century City!
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Published August 30, 2018
Ted Richards Writes Wildfire Safety Article for WorkCompCentral
Managing shareholder Ted Richards’ article “Wildfire Safety: Preparing for Disasters” has been published on WorkCompCentral’s Work Comp World blog.
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