Sometimes the issues the lawyers and adjusters are discussing are not what is most important to the Applicant. Recently, in a pretty small case, the professionals told me the disagreements were about what had been paid and what was still due. The injured worker told me his biggest concern was that, although he had returned […]
Workers Compensation is one more area where death and taxes must be considered. DEATH Death of an injured worker who has not previously entered into a Compromise & Release for the indemnity part of the claim stops all benefits. Per California Labor Code 4700, “Neither temporary nor permanent disability payments shall be made for any […]
Some issues aren’t worth fighting over. Yet, parties and counsel frequently do take a stand when they might do better by taking a step back and just throwing that issue away. It’s the Principle of the Thing OK, you’re completely right on this issue—but what is the big picture? A fight over a $300 interpreter […]
Some Workers Compensation Claims seem to have a life of their own. Before you know it, years have passed since the Date of Injury. Here are 3 signals telling you to take a hard look at settling now. The Injured Workers is 61 years old. Once an injured worker reaches age 62½, any buy-out of future medical […]
(c) Teddy Snyder SnyderMediations.com ‘Twas the night before mediation And all through the firm Not a creature was stirring, Not even a worm But then one lawyer Asleep on a couch Shot up, hit his head And said with an “Ouch” Oh my, I’ve got That mediation tomorrow I didn’t do a brief Much, much […]
Tactics are steps you take to win short term goals on the way to achieving your strategic objective. Sometimes tactical skirmishes distract workers compensation professionals from pursuit of their strategic goal. On the other hand, you can’t reach your strategic objective without well-thought-out tactics. The Disputed Doctor’s Deposition Take the case where an attorney insisted […]
Understanding insurance reserves can help settle a claim. A reserve is a pot of money set aside to pay for a specific expense category. Typically, there are separate pots for indemnity, medical and med-legal expenses. Sometimes a negotiator finds that a claim can be closed for an amount more than remains in the indemnity […]
Halloween is just around the corner, a time when people love to be scared. It’s fun, because everyone knows there’s really nothing scary at all. Mediation isn’t scary. Yet some claim and legal professionals fear it. Fear of losing control Adjusters and attorneys know their jobs. They may bristle at the idea of someone else […]
Medical identity theft occurs when a thief obtains treatment using the victim’s social security number or health insurance identification number. Authorities also report arrests of care providers who have stolen medical identities and submitted bills for treatment they never performed. Cyber-attacks on medical data have produced a market for this kind of information. Treatment A […]
“Grandma, why did you move my chopsticks?” My extended family was dining on Cashew Chicken, Mongolian Beef, and fried wantons. Without missing a beat I answered, “Well, Ashley, I’m all about risk management. I noticed your chopsticks were sticking out over your lap, and there was a risk you or I might knock them […]