Blog
Understanding the QME Process
QME stands for Qualified Medical Evaluator. The State of California defines QMEs as “Qualified physicians who are certified by the Division of Workers Compensation, a Medical Unit focused on examining injured workers to evaluate disability and write medical-legal reports.” What is the QME process for injured workers? A certified physician determines if a patient was injured through […]
Read MoreBasics of Medical Care: Workers’ Compensation
People often feel vulnerable seeking medical care under the best of circumstances. Suffering an injury at work may incur an extra layer of stress to the situation. The good news, the system is designed to provide medical care for injured workers based on doctor availability. After all, it’s in the best interest of employers for […]
Read MoreWhat is Compromise and Release?
Workers’ compensation cases can be confusing. There are a lot of terms and acronyms thrown around that may not make much sense when you hear them for the first time. One of these phrases is Compromise and Release, sometimes shortened to C&R. In short, Compromise and Release is a lump sum settlement buyout of your […]
Read MoreIt’s Our 2nd Anniversary!
At The Law Offices of Melissa J. Lyons, Inc., we celebrated our second anniversary last month. The firm may be two years old, but Melissa’s journey to becoming an attorney who advocates for workers’ rights began when she was nine years old. When Melissa was a child, her mother suffered a significant lumbar spine injury […]
Read MorePsychiatric Injuries in Workers’ Compensation
Physical injuries are never easy, but the injuries are easier to diagnose and prove as work-related in a workers’ compensation case. Psych cases, or “psychiatric injuries” as they’re referred to by the State of California, can be trickier to handle. Yet, it’s important employees receive the benefits to which they’re entitled, regardless of whether the […]
Read MoreEmployment Issues with Workers Compensation
Suffering an injury on the job can be extraordinarily stressful. There’s the stress and pain of an injury, as well as finding treatment, and securing the workers’ compensation benefits to which you’re entitled. An added stress is worrying about your employment. What are my benefits? Workers’ compensation covers five basic types of benefits: Medical care: Paid […]
Read MoreTemporary Disability vs Permanent Disability
Suffering an injury at work is always tough. The stress of going through the workers’ compensation process can make it even tougher. One of the common questions people have when they’re injured is, “What’s the difference between temporary disability and permanent disability?” What is the difference? Temporary and permanent disability are both there to provide […]
Read MoreUnderstanding the QME Process
QME stands for Qualified Medical Evaluator. The State of California defines QMEs as “Qualified physicians who are certified by the Division of Workers Compensation, a Medical Unit focused on examining injured workers to evaluate disability and write medical-legal reports.” What is the QME process for injured workers? A certified physician determines if a patient was […]
Read MoreDenied Claims
The phrase “denied claim” will add anxiety and stress to an already-difficult situation, but it is not a reason to panic. California has one of the most robust workers’ compensation programs in the country. It is also one of the largest, and anytime you have something that large, bureaucracy is necessary to keep it afloat. […]
Read MoreChallenges Obtaining Treatment in Workers’ Compensation Cases
Suffering an injury at work is bad enough. Going through the process of filing workers’ compensation claim(s) and getting medical treatment can make life even more difficult. It’s incredibly frustrating to suffer an injury and then have trouble getting appropriate treatment. Worse, it can make injuries worse and cause more systemic medical issues. Every workers’ […]
Read MoreWorkers’ Compensation Settlements
Your Workers’ Compensation case is settled when you come to an agreement with the defendant about your injury, which includes permanent disability and future medical care. Generally, settlements occur when you reach maximum medical improvement by the doctor. There are two different ways to settle a Workers’ Compensation injury in California: STIPS: Stipulations with Request for Award In a STIPS case, you and the defendant come to an agreement on the amount of permanent disability
What is the 90 Day Rule?
Many states have either an official or unofficial rule that employers and insurance companies have 90 days to review a workers compensation claim. Rules vary by state. Fortunately, as Forbes reports here, California has one of the better 90-day rules when it comes to workers’ rights: “Under California law, workers’ comp insurers must respond to your claim within 14 days of the time a work injury claim form is submitted. In some cases, employers will
Happy Anniversary!
If you follow us on social media, you’ve probably seen our posts earlier this month marking our first anniversary. It’s a huge milestone, and yet this is only the beginning. We’re proud of the work we’ve done, and the difference we’ve been able to make in our clients’ lives. That’s what it’s all about, and why we’re energized to keep working and celebrate many more anniversaries to come. “I have dreamt about becoming an Attorney
What is EAMS and Why is it Important?
The legal field is inundated with acronyms. It’s not necessary for our clients to become experts in our specialization, but it definitely helps to have a general understanding of some of the common acronyms we deal with in workers’ compensation law, such as the Electronic Adjudication Management System (EAMS). EAMS is a computer-based case management system designed to help the Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) office process claims in a simpler and more efficient manner.
Audit Enforcement in Workers Compensation Cases
Just the word “audit” can trigger stress to anyone who’s heard a story about tough IRS audits and penalties, but audits don’t need to be scary. They are a necessary part of the workers’ compensation process. To ease some of that stress, it’s good to know just what the Audit Enforcement Unit does in the State of California. The State of California Department of Industrial Relations summarizes the Audit Enforcement Unit like this: “The DWC
What is FMC?
It’s an unfortunate fact of workplace injuries that medical care may be needed in the future, beyond the scope of employment. FMC is shorthand for Future Medical Care. Unfortunately, many workplace illnesses and injuries result in a need for care beyond the potential term of employment. Yet the injured employee may need ongoing care in the future after employment ends. That’s where FMC comes in. The State of California Injured Worker Guidebook is the ideal