Gonzalez Law Firm: Workers' Compensation Attorney

COVID update on civil and criminal trial cases. Delay, delay, delay ... https://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx

There has been an update in the ADA reasonable accommodations. https://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx

Just a reminder, if you are in need of any legal services in California, feel free to call or email us. I have established relationships with many attorneys that practice other areas of law. We can help you figure out what kind of attorney you need and refer you to the correct specialty.

California Adopts First in the Nation Workplace Safety Standards Protecting Nighttime Agricultural Workers from Hazards The Department of Industrial Relations has announced California is adopting a new standard for lighting that will increase safety for agricultural workers working from sunset to sunrise. California has many many agricultural workers. Hopefully, this measure will decrease the number of injuries in the farming industry. The change went into effect on the fir...st of this month. https://www.dir.ca.gov/DIRNews/2020/2020-55.html

IMPORTANT: Due to COVID-19, there are recent changes in Workers’ Compensation law. EXECUTIVE ORDER N-62-20 was just approved and makes a COVID-19 diagnosis PRESUMED to be work related. This means workers diagnosed with COVID-19 may be eligible for Workers' Compensation Benefits! The conditions regarding this presumption are complicated and time sensitive. Call or email now for information on COVID-19 illness, Psychological effects from COVID-19 diagnosis, or death benefits.... (909)266-0003 or [email protected]. We are also available for non COVID-19 related work injuries.

ANNOUNCEMENT: Governor Newsom has just signed an executive order that makes a COVID-19 diagnosis PRESUMED to be work related. This means workers diagnosed with COVID-19 may be eligible for Workers' Compensation Benefits! The conditions regarding this presumption are complicated and time sensitive. So call or email now for information on COVID-19 diagnosis, Psychological effects from COVID-19 diagnosis, or death benefits. Contact us Today! 909-266-0003 or [email protected]. We are also available for non COVID-19 related work injuries. https://www.gov.ca.gov//governor-newsom-announces-workers/

Certain WCAB are opening back up. See the link below for the latest Covid-19 Workers' Comp news. https://www.dir.ca.gov/DIRNews/2020/2020-23.html

Keeping up to date with the times. More and more Work Comp insurance companies are offering telemedicine visits. See below. https://youtu.be/YrnJnUO-8UY

Here are the most recent court changes affecting injured workers. (1) All QME/AME Neutral doctor evaluations from 3/23/2020 04/18/2020 are postponed. * Please do not confuse PTP appointments with neutral doctor evaluations. * If you have a neutral doctor evaluation after 4/18/2020, keep in touch to see if it will be postponed.... (2) Certain Primary Treating Physicians (PTP) offices will be providing virtual appointments. * If you are in the temporary stage of your claim where you regularly obtain work status sheets from your PTP, please contact your PTP office to see if they would like you to come in in person or will offer phone or video appointments that your doctor can issue work status from. Especially if you are receiving TTD benefits, you will NEED you to keep getting work status sheets to continue receiving benefits. https://www.dir.ca.gov/DIRNews/2020/2020-21.html

Coronavirus Update Information is changing all the time. The new changes for our courts (WCAB) are: (1) WCAB in San Francisco, San Jose, and Oakland are temporarily closed.... (2) The Medical Unit is temporarily closed. Therefore, no replacement or additional PQME panels will be issued. I believe original panels will still be issued as it is an automated process. (3) The two witness requirement for settlement documents have been lifted temporarily. (4) Return to work supplemental program, uninsured employers benefit trust fund and legal unit are also closed temporarily. (5) Most WCAB staff will be working remotely. (6) As posted earlier, starting next week, all hearings will be conducted via court call only except for expedited hearings. Also, no in person walk through settlement document approval will be allowed. https://www.dir.ca.gov/DIRNews/2020/2020-19.html https://www.dir.ca.gov/DIRNews/2020/2020-20.html

Please be advised, the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board is taking precautions regarding the coronavirus. These measures are changing constantly. Please see the attached press release. Our office is continuing to address the coronavirus issue and surrounding changes. For the present, my staff will be working mostly from home. They wil have phone access from home. We are also offering phone consultations and client meetings in lieu of in person meeting. We are also avai...lable via email. Practically speaking, the changes may affect your case if you have a hearing or trial scheduled soon or if your case is in the process of settling. Contact our office if you have questions about these changes. https://www.dir.ca.gov/DIRNews/2020/2020-18.html