State Hearing To Address Workers’ Compensation
The Division of Workers' Compensation on Wednesday will hold a hearing in Oakland to discuss medical guidelines for treating workers' compensation claimants, DWC spokesperson Susan Gard said, the Contra Costa Times reports.
An increasing number of workers' compensation claimants say they faced obstacles receiving medical treatment for work-related injuries after the 2004 reforms took effect, and some claimants say insurers have denied requests for some treatments, according to the Times.
In addition, about 15% to 20% of people who would have received long-term treatment for permanent disabilities under the pre-2004 system are found to be ineligible under the reforms, according to Frank Neuhauser, a researcher at the University of California-Berkeley.
Workers' compensation insurers say that claimants can appeal treatment denials (Avalos, Contra Costa Times, 8/23).