MICHAEL SULLIVAN & ASSOCIATES BLOG

Labor Code § 4600(g)(2)(A) states, "Unless otherwise indicated in this section, a physician providing treatment under Section 4600 shall send any request for authorization for medical treatment, with supporting documentation, to the claims administrator for the employer, insurer, or other entity according to rules adopted by the administrative director." The statute directs that a request for authorization for medical treatment (RFA) must be sent to a claims administrator, rather than somewhere else, although the claims administrator may designate where the RFA is sent (CCR 9792.6.1(t)(3)).

Last Thursday's End of Summer Mixer, hosted by LA RIMS, was a blast! Attendees had full access to SoFi Stadium, home of the L.A. Rams and Chargers, where we got to show off our athletic skills with a number of football-related challenges and even tour the teams' locker rooms. It was an epic evening spent with friends and colleagues!

Last Tuesday's cruise around Dana Point Harbor, hosted by Michael Sullivan & Associates, was a welcome chance to relax and unwind after the first day of this year's Workers' Compensation & Risk Conference. It was a great evening to reconnect with clients and colleagues, while enjoying food, drinks, and a beautiful sunset!

This year's Workers' Compensation & Risk Conference (WCRC) got off to a great start yesterday morning, with a golf tournament held at the Monarch Beach Golf Links! It was a beautiful day on the fairway and a perfect beginning to this week's conference. If you're attending WCRC, we hope you'll come visit us at Booth #1004 in the Pacific Ballroom Foyer, where you can spin our wheel of fortune for an awesome giveaway--and don't forget to bring business cards to enter our raffle drawing!

VICA's annual education conference, held last Friday, was a resounding success! Michael Sullivan & Associates Partners Megan Sullivan and Serena Neves spoke at the event, exploring best practices for defending against a CT claim. We're already looking forward to next year!

AWCP's Summer Fun on the River event last Thursday was a resounding success! It was great to spend time with our valued clients, co-workers, and members of the Sacramento workers' compensation community.

Multiple employers or insurers can be liable for a cumulative trauma (CT) injury, and it's common for employers or insurers to dispute whether and how much liability they have for such an injury. Pursuant to Labor Code 5500.5(a), liability for a CT injury is limited to employers who employed the worker during the one-year period immediately preceding the date of injury (LC 5412), or the last date of injurious exposure, whichever occurs first.

On August 9, 2022, the Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) announced that all DWC district offices except Eureka will accept in-person walk-through documents beginning September 6, 2022, pursuant to CCR 10789. Eureka is permanently a virtual office and walk-through documents should be brought to the DWC Santa Rosa district office.