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Old Town Salinas

I’ve got a hearing at the WCAB in Salinas this morning.

If you’re around this morning, stop me and say hello!

Driving under the influence

Yesterday I was driving back from Modesto and I noticed a CHP officer out of the corner of my eye. [1]  My first instinct is always to double check my speed.

However, yesterday afternoon I noticed this officer was on his cell, left elbow propped up on the edge of the window, yakking away, while tailgating a semi in the slow lane.

Not wanting to get pulled over for driving under the influence of irony, I didn’t take a picture with my phone.

BTW, I’ve got to be in San Francisco this afternoon – stop me and say hello!

1. Photo courtesy of OregonDOT [↩]

Free pass

Yesterday I had an appearance in San Jose and then another up in San Rafael.  From San Jose I drove up through San Francisco, northbound over the Golden Gate Bridge, to my appearance, then back over to Contra Costa County via the Richmond Bridge.[1]

Wait for it…

The Golden Gate is only toll southbound and the Richmond is only toll westbound.  I traveled over two bridges and didn’t pay a single toll!

1. Photo courtesy of worldsurfer [↩]

Also not a valid permanent disability rating schedule for 2009

I’ve been getting a lot of questions about the Draft 2009 Permanent Disability Rating Schedule.  There is no 2009 Permanent Disability Rating Schedule. [1]

Yes, yes, I know we’re supposed to have a new schedule per 8 CCR 9805, but the proposed draft 2009 PDRS was never approved.

Overall, the draft 2009 Permanent Disability Schedule doesn’t change much from the existing 2005 schedule.  The biggest change is in the application of the FEC rank adjustment.  Instead of increasing permanent disability between 10% and 40%, the proposed FEC rank system would increase permanent disability between 20% and 50%.  Additionally, the proposal suggested juggling the various ranks among the body regions.  If you’re curious about the exact proposed changes, the DWC Newsline gave a really great overview back on May 9, 2008.

Here’s the take-away:

• The 2009 Draft Permanent Disability Rating Schedule was not approved.
• The only official schedule for injuries on or after 1/1/2005 is the current 2005 Permanent Disability Rating Schedule.
• The DEU’s own webpage, updated on 10/2009 as of the date of this posting, doesn’t even offer a link to the 2009 draft schedule.

1. Photo courtesy of wenzday01 [↩]

This sign is ALSO not a stay on Ogilvie

I’m still getting e-mails suggesting that Bowden v. Sunray Termite is a WCAB Panel decision staying Ogilvie. [1]  Thanks to some loyal readers, I now have a copy of this Panel decision:

1. Photo courtesy of loop_oh [↩]