Would you sign my copy of Ogilvie?
Would you sign my copy of Ogilvie?

As I mentioned a few days ago, I was recently at the State Bar Convention in San Diego.  While at the Steve Jimenez Memorial Special Recognition Awards Ceremony, I bumped into one of the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board commissioners. ((You’ve got a one in nine chance of guessing which one.  ;)  ))

It was one of those days where I’m kicking myself for not lugging around my copy of Ogilvie II. ((Photo courtesy of USAFA87))

I got to tell this commissioner, “I’m a big fan of your work.” ((Yes, yes, I already know I’m a great big nerd.))

The Board is back!
The Board is back!

Need a FREE sample Ogilvie analysis brief complete with citations?

The Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board is back with their en banc decisions on Ogilvie and Almaraz/Guzman after reconsideration.  ((Photo courtesy of arturodonate))  Download the Ogilvie/Almaraz/Guzman decisions all in one place:

Each of these four is about 50 pages.  Read them carefully, there will be a test later.

Fresno Workers' Compensation Appeals Board
Fresno Workers' Compensation Appeals Board
  • Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board – Fresno District Office (FRE)
  • 2550 Mariposa Street
    Fresno, CA 93721
  • Main:  (559) 445-5051
  • DEU:  (559) 445-6427
  • Information & Assistance:  (559) 445-5355

I have to be at the Fresno WCAB this afternoon. ((Photo thanks to Google and their StreetView))  Stop by and say hello if you’re in the area.

Probably not the WCABs idea of a bench and bar meeting...
"Hi, is this the room for the bench and bar meetings? I brought my brown bag lunch!"

I was recently invited to participate on the Oakland Bench & Bar Committee.  The first meeting of the rejuvenated committee is going to take place tomorrow.  ((Nothing fancy – everyone’s bringing their own brown bag lunch.)) ((Photo courtesy of zappowbang.))

The committee includes a wide variety of stakeholders from the community – applicant, defense, lien claimants, and judges.  The purpose of this committee is to foster discussion of issues of concern to the WCAB Oakland district office and the community.

Ideas?

I realize this is short notice, but is there a topic/issue you would like brought up at the bench and bar meeting tomorrow?  Leave a comment or send me an e-mail!

Need more time to think about Ogilvie, Almaraz, and Guzman?
Need more time to think about Ogilvie, Almaraz/Guzman?

Sometimes even the WCAB needs more time to think. ((Photo courtesy of radiospike photography))

On March 26, 2009, the director of the Department of Industrial Relations, John C. Duncan, issued a letter to the entire Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board asking them to vacate their own decisions and solicit argument and amicus briefs.  Here’s a copy, courtesy of WCExec.com, the Letter from Director of DIR to WCAB re: Ogilvie and Almaraz/Guzman (3/26/2009).

On Monday April 6, 2009 the WCAB issued three Orders Granting Reconsideration and Order Allowing Amicus Briefs (en banc) in Ogilvie and Almaraz/Guzman.  For your review:

What does the Order Granting Reconsideration of Ogilvie and Almaraz/Guzman mean for you?

    1. Ogilvie and Almaraz/Guzman are still the law.  Despite Commissioner Aghazarian’s two concurring opinions, the WCAB did not issue a stay of either Ogilvie or Almaraz/Guzman.
    2. The WCAB has granted SCIF’s petition for reconsideration in Almaraz, granting reconsideration on their own motion in Guzman, and the parties’ petitions for reconsideration in Ogilvie.  They have granted reconsideration on these cases to, “afford us a sufficient opporutnity to study the issues.” ((Hence, the “The Thinker” reference above…))
    3. Any interested party may file an amicus brief no later than May 1, 2009 at 5pm.