I think we can dispense with the caption, just this once...
I think we can dispense with the caption, just this once...

A defense attorney friend of mine called me up yesterday to say (I’m paraphrasing here), “You jackass.  Thanks to your Ogilvie proof every Applicant’s attorney I know is calling me up, gloating, and asking for 18 points on top of the whole person impairment on every case!  Why the hell did you do that???” ((Photo courtesy of giuliomarziale))   My first thought was of my favorite quote from Swingers. ((Just for you Ray!)) What I actually said was something along the lines of:

  • It’s not like CAAA wouldn’t have found out about Ogilvie if it wasn’t for Jay Shergill mentioning it in a blog post.
  • Nothing has changed except that now anyone can perform an Ogilvie adjustment calculation in their head. ((And save $129.99 in the process))
  • Someone was going to prove that Ogilvie adds 18 points to the WPI in virtually all litigated workers’ compensation cases, so it might as well be me.

For the moment, let’s set aside the issue of whether California’s injured workers have gotten a raw deal since SB899.  Suppose there’s an injured worker with a finger injury, stays on temporary disability for two years, and is immediately made permanent and stationary.  If instead they get a 0% WPI, they get nothing.  If they gets a 1% WPI, Ogilvie tells us this person gets a DFEC adjusted WPI of 19%.

Nearly every litigated case involves an extended period of temporary disability and a whole person impairment less than 45. ((Hell, a permanent irreversible coma is only a WPI of 80.))  Ogilvie effectively removes the first 18% permanent partial disability levels.

I really don’t think the WCAB intended this consequence.  Don’t get upset with me – as long as Ogilvie is the law I might as well make Ogilvie calculations easy for you, right? ((Remember, just add 18 to the WPI!))

Road Warrior
Road Warrior

As a workers’ compensation defense attorney I travel throughout Northern California for hearings and depositions.  To date I’ve been as far North as Ukiah and as far South as Fresno for cases.  I’ve compiled a list of the various things I’ve found come in handy when I’m on the road.

Always in the car:

  • Cup holder
    • Quarters
    • Hand sanitizer
    • Moist towelettes
    • Water bottle
    • Rubber bands
  • Glove compartment
    • 1/2 cup almonds in a sandwich bag
    • Tire gauge
    • Flashlight
  • Driver’s seat
    • Umbrella (underneath)
  • Front passenger seat
    • Roll of paper towels (underneath)
  • Trunk
    • Jumper cables
    • Two blankets
    • Rope
    • Second pair of shoes (comfortable shoes for driving, dress shoes for appearance)
    • Extra tie, extra socks

Am I missing anything?

Update: I added flashlight to the glove compartment.

Update: I added umbrella under the driver’s seat.