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Happy (Belated) 2018!

Hello my beloved readers! And a very, very happy 2018 to you!

Your humble blogger is back, at least for now,

So what’s new in 2018?  Well, here are a few things to look out for.

Minimum wage in California has gone up (of course!) and is now $10.50 ($11.00 for employers with more than 25 employees).  Now, bear in mind, in some places, like your humble blogger’s own, beloved San Mateo County, the minimum wage is as high as $13.50 per hour.  If you have a minimum wage employee currently on temporary disability, there’s a good chance you’ll see a demand for an increased rate.

Speaking of the TTD rate, as the State Average Weekly Wage saw a 3.6% increase, going from $1,164.51 to $1,206.92, anyone paying life pensions may want to calculate an increase based on COLA.

There’s also an increase in the TTD minimum, from $175.88 to $182.29.

What are you hoping to see in 2018? (let’s be realistic folks – from the litigation and legislation cookeries).

My wish list for 2018 includes:

  1. Some binding authority that vocational rehabilitation experts are irrelevant for post 1/1/13 injuries, as diminished future earning capacity is not part of the permanent disability equation;
  2. A reversal of the recent legal trend recognizing any “forceful blow” or any slip-and-fall as a violent act triggering liability for psychiatric compensable consequence disability (permanent OR temporary); and
  3. The birth of a new trend in which the medical unit issues panels with three doctors that set timely (I know this is a long-shot, but we can dream, can’t we?)

But, post important of all, I think we should all find 2018 to be full of success, good health, and happiness.

Let’s get to work!

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