PDRater – Ogilvie ratings and PD calculators

This afternoon I am presenting at the Workers’ Compensation Section Spring Conference 2010 with a presentation entitled, “Calculating Ogilvie.”  Due to cases relevant to Ogilvie coming out as recently as ten days ago, I’m making the resources mentioned here for everyone to download (along with a rough outline of the presentation).

1. Ogilvie Formula
   1. Ogilvie formula (longhand)
      1. Each of the steps in the Ogilvie formula explained
   2. Ogilvie formula (shorthand)
      1. Mathematical proof demonstrating a simplified Ogilvie formula
      2. Download the simplified Ogilvie mathematical proof as a PDF here
   3. Ogilvie formula (oversimplified)
      1. Learn how to perform an Ogilvie calculation in your head in 5 minutes (PDF download)
   4. Ogilvie formula (18 point rule)
      1. Read the Ogilvie “18 point rule”
      2. Download the Ogilvie “18 point rule” as a handy PDF
2. Ogilvie Case Law
   1. Ogilvie v. WCAB I (en banc) 2/3/2009
   2. Ogilvie v. WCAB II (en banc) 9/3/2009
   3. Bowden v. Sunray Termite San Jose WCAB Panel Decision ADJ4536632
      • Commissioner Miller letter dated 1/13/2010 to Defense attorney on Bowden v Sunray Termite
   4. Shini v. Pacific Coast Auto Body & Truck San Diego WCAB Panel Decision ADJ2079252 (1/25/2010)
   5. Ochoa v. UPS Ground Freight Order Denying and Report and Recommendation on Reconsideration ADJ1758338 (2/8/2010)
   6. Bertha Noriega Garcia v. Patrick L. Hinrichsen WCAB Panel Decision ADJ6721939 (3/1/2010)
3. Litigating Ogilvie
   1. Argonaut Ins. Co. v. Ind. Acc. Com. (Montana) (1962) 57 Cal.2d 589
4. Applicant Attorney Ogilvie Handbook
5. Defense Attorney Ogilvie Handbook
6. Appendix
   1. EDD Labor Market Information Division
   2. Cal. Labor Code § 4651 “Average annual earnings shall be taken as fifty-two times the average weekly earnings referred to in this chapter.”

Sample Ogilvie DFEC analysis brief, complete with citations, explanations, and exhibits

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 [↩]

If you can use duct tape, you can perform an Ogilvie DFEC analysis in 5 minutes

An Ogilvie / DFEC analysis isn’t really difficult, especially when this website has a free Ogilvie / DFEC calculator.[1] The problem comes when you have to prove all the math behind those calculations.  This involves “showing your work.”

The best way to “show your work” is to take the reader through each step of the Ogilvie analysis.  I’ve prepared a sample report (generated using a new service on this website) which provides a clear and easy to understand format for “showing your work.”

The steps are basically this:

• Step 0:  2005 PDRS rating string
• Step 1: Post-Injury Earnings of Applicant
• Step 2: Post-Injury Earnings of Similarly Situated Employees
• Step 3: Calculate Proportional Earnings Loss
• Step 4: Calculate Individualized Rating to Loss Ratio
• Step 5: Compare Individualized Rating to Loss Ratio to range of ratios for the FEC ranks

For those interested, here’s a more detailed explanation of each step in an Ogilvie / DFEC analysis.

When each step of the Ogilvie / DFEC analysis is stated clearly, the reader can see every assumption, step, and perform their own calculations to verify your conclusions.  As long as the parties agree on the numbers used in an Ogilvie / DFEC calculation, they should always arrive at the same result.

Setting forth every single step of your Ogilvie / DFEC analysis lets you to spend less time arguing about the impact of Ogilvie and more time trying to get the case settled.

1. Photo courtesy of indigotimbre [↩]

Q: How do you build the case for a DFEC rebuttal? A: One step at a time.

There’s a lot of conflicting information about what Judge’s are requiring to making a finding of a DFEC rebuttal under Ogilvie v. City and County of S.F.. [1]  The Board in Ogilvie II is explicit that all you need is post-injury earnings information for the injured worker and similarly situated employees and “simple mathematical calculations with that wage data” using a “non-complex formula.”[2]

Unfortunately, calling a process “simple” and “non-complex” doesn’t necessarily make it so.  Apparently some Judges are requiring some additional showing beyond wage data and “simple calculations.”

What are Judges in your area requiring?

• Just wage data and calculations?[3]
• Vocational testimony/evidence regarding earnings?
• Proof of attempts to seek employment/motivation?
• Something else?

Share your insight with an e-mail or comment.

1. Photo courtesy of eliaspunch [↩]
2. Ogilvie II, p1-2. [↩]
3. Perhaps just a print-out from PDRater?  ;) [↩]

Oh, if only rehab was this easy…

Vocational experts seem to have gotten pretty well trampled by the recent Ogilvie I and Almaraz/Guzman I en banc decisions.  The Ogilvie II and Almaraz/Guzman II en banc decisions didn’t do them any favors either.

As far as I can tell, the WCAB[1] in Ogilvie II basically flip flopped on the role of vocational experts.  Under Ogilvie I at least one very entrepreneurial vocational counselor was making money performing the Ogilvie I formula adjustments and offering to testify to support their findings.[2]

The Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board in Ogilvie II has very explicitly stated that vocational experts are not necessary when it comes to performing the Ogilvie I formula adjustment – since it is an objective and retrospective calculation.

This leaves open the question of whether vocational expert testimony is only relevant when defending against an Ogilvie argument.

1. Well, eight of the commissioners anyhow. [↩]
2. I received more than one letter demanding agreement to a vocational counselor under Ogilvie I. [↩]