January 23, 2026
For over a decade, claims examiners have struggled with a common frustration: the "forever" treatment trap. You accept a treatment plan—like home health care or maintenance therapy—and suddenly, under the Patterson doctrine, you feel locked in. Even if the medical... Read MoreJanuary 23, 2026
As claims examiners, you expect our defense attorneys to fight hard. You want them to push for the best outcomes, challenge questionable medical findings, and move files toward closure. However, a recent decision by the WCAB, Nguyen v. Pacific Dental... Read MoreJanuary 21, 2026
Employment law compliance is a moving goal post, especially in California. With new 2026 laws to consider, employers that wait to react may find themselves scrambling to update policies, retrain managers, and correct compliance gaps under tight deadlines. Is your... Read MoreJanuary 20, 2026
Imagine this scenario: You have a file where a Findings and Award was issued in 2020. The applicant appealed in early 2021. Then… silence. The statutory deadline for the WCAB to act passes. One year goes by. Then two. Then... Read MoreJanuary 7, 2026
Employee terminations and layoffs are among the most legally sensitive actions an employer can take, particularly in California. The State of California Department of Industrial Relations and several other entities strictly enforce the state’s plethora of workers’ rights laws. Even... Read MoreJanuary 1, 2026
Effective January 1, 2026, the reimbursement rate for mileage related to medical treatment and medical-legal travel has increased. The California Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) has announced that the mileage rate for medical and medical-legal travel is now 72.5 cents... Read MoreDecember 17, 2025
In 2026, U.S. salary increases are projected to fall around 3.5%, which is consistent with the median for 2025. As the year comes to a close, HR leaders are already evaluating new year raises for employees. Recently, compensation trends have... Read MoreDecember 10, 2025
Business acquisitions, mergers and layoffs have become hot topics in 2025, with nearly 40,000 Americans receiving layoff notices in October alone. During these times of transition, your HR department must be proactive to minimize the risk of employment law disputes.... Read MoreNovember 12, 2025
Roughly one-third to one-half of U.S. employees are subject to a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) or similar instrument. Drafting a strong NDA is one of your first lines of defense against misappropriation of trade secrets and other confidential information. However, a... Read MoreNovember 5, 2025
Now that the California Legislature has adjourned its 2025 sessions, employers across the state are beginning to digest a plethora of new laws, amendments, and regulatory updates that will take effect in 2026. For HR departments and business leaders, the... Read More
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