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Workers' Compensation terms and definitions for injured workers
This page is not meant to give legal advice. Laws can change, and the details of your situation might lead to different legal answers than what is written here.
Accepted Claim
A claim in which the City agrees your injury or illness is covered by workers' compensation.
Agreed Medical Evaluator (AME)
If you have an attorney, an AME is the doctor your attorney and the City agree on to conduct the medical examination that will help resolve your dispute. If you don't have an attorney, you will use a Qualified Medical evaluator (QME), which is described in the QME section below.
Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) See Carve-Out
ADR is a negotiated program between your Labor Organization or union and the City, as approved by the State of California, to resolve workers compensation disputes. This includes procedures for settling disputes without litigation, such as arbitration, mediation, or negotiation and/or procedures for disputing medical treatment or processing benefits. Currently, there are existing ADR programs between the City and the San Francisco Police Officers Association (SFPOA) and International Association of Firefighters Local 798.
Alternative Work
A new job with your current or former employer. If your doctor says you will not be able to return to your job at the time of injury, your employer is encouraged to offer you alternative work instead of supplemental job displacement benefits. The alternative work must meet your work restrictions, last at least 12 months, pay at least 85 percent of the wages and benefits you were paid at the time you were injured, and be within a reasonable commuting distance of where you lived at the time of injury.
American Medical Association (AMA)
A national physician's group. The AMA publishes a set of guidelines called "Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment." For all injuries on or after 1/1/2005, the doctor is required to determine your level of impairment using the AMA's guides.
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
A federal law that prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities. If you believe you've been discriminated against at work because you're disabled and want information on your rights under the ADA, contact a U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission office. For the EEOC office in your area, call 1-800-669-4000 or 1-800-669-6820 (TTY). Learn more about the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Appeals Board
A group of seven commissioners appointed by the governor to review and reconsider decisions of workers' compensation administrative law judges. Also called the Reconsideration Unit. Learn more about the Workers' Compensation Appeals Board.
Applicant
The party -- usually the injured or recovering employee -- that opens a case at the local Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) office by filing an application for adjudication of claim.
Applicants' Attorney
A lawyer that can represent you in your workers' compensation case. Applicant refers to you, the injured employee.
Application for Adjudication of Claim (Application or App)
A DWC-1 form you file to open a case at the local Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) office if you have a disagreement with the City about your claim.
Apportionment
A way of figuring out how much of your permanent disability is due to your work injury and how much is due to other disabilities or other injuries.
Arising Out Of and Occurring in the Course of Employment (AOE/COE)
Your injury must be caused by and happen on the job.
Audit Unit
A unit within the DWC that receives complaints against claims administrators. These complaints may lead to investigations of the way the company handles claims. Additionally, the Audit Unit performs routine compliance audits of all claims administrators who handle California workers compensation claims. Learn more about the Audit Unit.
Benefit Notice
A required letter or form sent to you by the City to inform you of benefits you may be entitled to receive. This is sent whenever benefits are started, stopped, changed, delayed or denied.
Bill Review Organization (BRO)
A company that specializes in reviewing medical bills to identify errors and processes bills in accordance with the applicable fee schedule or contracted agreement. The BRO also identifies and investigates potential medical provider fraud or abuse.
Cal/OSHA
A unit within the state Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH). Cal/OSHA inspects workplaces and enforces laws to protect the health and safety of workers in California.
California Labor Code Section 132a
A workers' compensation law that prohibits discrimination against you because you filed a workers' compensation claim, and against co-workers who might testify in case.
Carve-Out
Carve-Out programs allow employers and unions to create their own alternatives for workers’ compensation benefit delivery and dispute resolution under a collective bargaining agreement. Open link below. Learn more about the Carve-Out Program.
Claim Form (or DWC-1 Form)
The DWC-1 form used to report a work injury or illness to your employer. It's a crucial document for initiating a workers' compensation claim when an employee is injured or becomes ill due to a work-related incident or incidents over time. The form is used to report the injury to the employer, who then forwards it to their insurance company, third party administrator or internal Claims Department (if self-administered) to begin the claims process.
Claims Adjuster
The professional assigned to handle your workers compensation claim. Adjusters are responsible for making liability decisions, investigating claims of injury, processing benefits and medical treatment in accordance with state law.
Claims Administrator
The term for insurance companies and others that handle your workers' compensation claim. Most claims administrators work for insurance companies or third party administrators handling claims for employers. Some claims administrators work directly for large employers that handle their own claims. The Department of Human Resources (DHR) Workers’ Compensation Division (WCD) is the Claims Administrator for most City and County of San Francisco employee department claims. Intercare Holdings is the Third Party Administrator contracted to handle claims administration services for four (4) City departments plus the San Francisco Municipal Transit Agency (SFMTA).
Claims Examiner
See Claims Adjuster.
Commission on Health and Safety and Workers' Compensation (CHSWC)
A state-appointed body that conducts studies and makes recommendations to improve the California workers' compensation and workplace health and safety systems.
Commutation
An order by a workers' compensation judge for a lump sum payment of part or all of your permanent disability award.
Compromise and Release (C&R)
A type of settlement in which you receive a lump sum payment and become responsible for paying for your future medical care. A settlement like this must be approved by a workers' compensation judge.
Cumulative Trauma Injury (CT)
An injury that was caused by repeated events or repeated exposures at work over time. For example, hurting your wrist doing the same motion over and over or losing your hearing because of constant loud noise.
Date of Injury
When you got hurt or ill. If your injury was caused by one event, the date it happened is the date of injury. If the injury or illness was caused by repeated exposures (a cumulative trauma injury), the date of injury is the date you knew or should have known the injury was caused by work.
Death Benefits
Benefits paid to surviving dependents when a work injury or illness results in death.
Declaration of Readiness to Proceed (DOR or DR)
A form used to request a hearing before a workers' compensation judge when you're ready to resolve a workers compensation dispute.
Defendant
The party -- usually your employer or its claims administrator -- opposing you in a dispute over benefits or services. In most CCSF claims, the City is the Defendant.
Delay Letter
A letter sent to you by the City that explains why payments are delayed. The letter also tells you what information is needed before payments will be sent and when a decision will be made about the payments.
Denied Claim
A claim in which the City believes your injury or illness is not covered by workers' compensation and has notified you of the decision.
Disability
A physical or mental impairment that limits your life activities. A condition that makes engaging in physical, social and work activities difficult.
Disability Evaluation Unit (DEU)
A unit within the DWC that calculates the percent of permanent disability based on medical reports. See disability rater. Learn more about the Disability Evaluation Unit.
Disability Management
A process to prevent disability from occurring or to intervene early, following the start of a disability, to encourage and support continued employment. This is done early in the recovery process in severe injury cases such as spinal injuries. Usually a rehabilitation nurse is involved with you and your treating doctor and the progress of your medical treatment is reported to the City.
Disability Rater
An employee of the DWC Disability Evaluation Unit who rates your permanent disability after reviewing a medical report or a medical-legal report describing your condition.
Disability Rating
See permanent disability rating.
Discrimination Claim (Labor Code132a)
A petition filed if your employer has fired or otherwise discriminated against you for filing a workers' compensation claim.
Dispute
A disagreement about your right to payments, services or other benefits.
Division of Workers' Compensation (DWC)
A division within the state Department of Industrial Relations (DIR). The DWC administers workers' compensation laws, resolves disputes over workers' compensation benefits and provides information and assistance to injured workers and others about the workers' compensation system. Learn more about the Division of Workers' Compensation.
Electronic Adjudication Management System (EAMS)
A computer based system that supports the Division of Workers’ Compensation case management process. Learn more about the Electronic Adjudication Management System.
Employee
A person whose work activities are under the control of an individual or entity. The term employee includes undocumented workers and minors.
Employer
The person or entity with control over your work activities.
Ergonomics
The study of how to improve the fit between the physical demands of the workplace and the employees who perform the work. That means considering the variability in human capabilities when selecting, designing or modifying equipment, tools, work tasks and the work environment.
Essential Functions
Duties considered crucial to the job you want or have. When being considered for alternative work, you must have both the physical and mental qualifications to fulfill the job's essential functions.
Ex Parte Communication
Generally a private communication with a judge, applicant, or other party regarding a disputed matter without the other party being present or copied with correspondence. A common example is the Claims Adjuster speaking with an injured employee who is represented by an attorney without the attorney being present.
Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA)
A state law that prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities. If you believe you've been discriminated against at work because you're disabled and want more information on your rights under the FEHA, contact the state Department of Fair Employment and Housing at 1-800-884-1684. In some cases, the FEHA provides more protection than the federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Learn more about the Fair Employment and Housing Act.
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
A federal law that provides certain employees with serious health problems or who need to care for a child or other family member with up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave per year. It also requires that group health benefits be maintained during the leave. For more information, contact the U.S. Department of Labor at 1-866-4-USA-DOL. Learn more about the Family and Medical Leave Act.
Filing
Sending or delivering a document to an employer or a government agency as part of a legal process. The date of filing is the date the document is received.
Final Order
Any order, decision or award made by a workers' compensation judge that has not been appealed or appealed timely.
Findings & Award (F&A)
A written decision by a workers' compensation administrative law judge about your case, including payments and future care that must be provided to you. The F&A becomes a final order unless appealed.
Fraud
Any knowingly false or fraudulent statement for the purpose of obtaining or denying workers' compensation benefits. The penalties for committing fraud are fines up to $150,000 and/or imprisonment for up to five years.
Future Medical Care
On-going right to medical treatment for a work-related injury usually determined by an authorized treating doctor or medical legal evaluator upon declaration of permanent and stationary status.
Health Care Organization (HCO)
An organization certified by the Department of Industrial Relations to provide managed medical care within the workers' compensation system. Learn more about the Health Care Organization.
Hearings
Legal proceedings in which a workers' compensation judge discusses the issues in a case or receives information in order to make a decision about a dispute or a proposed settlement.
Impairment Rating
A percentage estimate of how much normal use of your injured body parts or activities of daily living you've lost. Impairment ratings are determined based on guidelines published by the American Medical Association (AMA). An impairment rating is used to calculate your permanent disability rating but is different from your final permanent disability rating.
In Pro Per
An injured worker not represented by an attorney.
Independent Bill Review
A process, primarily used in California's workers' compensation system, to resolve disputes over medical billing amounts between providers and claims administrators. It provides a means for medical providers to challenge the amount paid on a bill when they disagree with the City's assessment. The process is administered by the Division of Workers' Compensation (DWC), and involves a third-party, the Independent Bill Review Organization (IBRO), making a final determination on the bill.
Independent Contractor
There is no set definition of this term. Labor law enforcement agencies and the courts look at several factors when deciding if someone is an employee or an independent contractor. Some employers misclassify employees as an independent contractor to avoid workers' compensation and other payroll responsibilities. Just because an employer says you are an independent contractor and doesn't need to cover you under a workers' compensation policy doesn't make it true. A true independent contractor has control over how their work is done. You probably are not an independent contractor when the person paying you:
- Controls the details or manner of your work
- Has the right to terminate you
- Pays you an hourly wage or salary
- Makes deductions for unemployment or Social Security
- Supplies materials or tools
- Requires you to work specific days or hours
Learn more about the Independent Contractor.
Independent Medical Examiner (IME)
An independent medical examination occurs when a doctor, psychologist, or other licensed healthcare professional conducts an examination of an individual to help answer specific legal, medical, or administrative questions related to a workers' compensation claim. Learn more the Independent Medical Examiner
Additionally, in San Francisco’s ADR Program (see Alternate Dispute Resolution above), IME’s are agreed-upon doctors that are used to resolve either treatment disputes or medical-legal disputes in workers compensation claims subject to the Carve-Out. Here, IME’s replace the roles of QME’s and AME’s in the state system.
Independent Medical Review
A process where an impartial physician reviews a medical decision made by an insurance company, particularly when a request for treatment authorization has been denied, modified, or delayed. This review is conducted by a third-party medical professional not affiliated with the insurance company or the requesting physician to ensure an objective assessment of the medical necessity of a treatment or service.
Information & Assistance Unit (I&A)
A unit within DWC that provides information to all parties in workers' compensation claims and informally resolves disputes. Learn more about the Information & Assistance Unit.
Information & Assistance Unit (I&A) Officer
A DWC employee who answers questions, assists injured workers, provides written materials, conducts informational workshops and holds meetings to informally resolve problems with claims.
Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP)
A health and safety program employers are required to develop and implement. This program is enforced by Cal/OSHA. Learn more about the Injury and Illness Prevention Program.
Judge
See workers' compensation administrative law judge.
Lien
A right or claim for payment against a workers' compensation case. A lien claimant, such as a medical provider, can file a form with the local Workers' Compensation Appeals Board to request payment of money owed in a workers' compensation case.
Mandatory Settlement Conference (MSC)
A required conference to discuss settlement prior to a trial.
Maximal Medical Improvement (MMI) or Permanent and Stationary (P&S)
Your condition is well stabilized and unlikely to change substantially in the next year, with or without medical treatment. Once you reach MMI, a doctor can assess how much, if any, permanent disability resulted from your work injury, determine the extent of future medical treatment needed, and determine whether or not you can return to your usual and customary job on a permanent basis.
Mediation Conference
A voluntary conference held before an I&A officer to resolve a dispute if you are not represented by an attorney.
Medical Care
See medical treatment.
Medical-Legal Report
A report written by a doctor that describes your medical condition and addresses disputes in disability, treatment and return to work. This includes but is not limited to determining the extent of permanent disability and MMI/P&S status.
Medical Provider Network (MPN)
An entity or group of health care providers set up by an insurer or self-insured employer and approved by DWC's administrative director to treat workers injured on the job. Learn more about the Medical Provider Network.
The City has an approved Medical Provider Network (#1258).
Medical Treatment
Treatment reasonably required to cure or relieve the effects of a work-related injury or illness. Also called medical care.
Medical Treatment Utilization Schedule (MTUS)
Doctors in California's workers' compensation system are required to provide evidence-based medical treatment. That means they must choose treatments scientifically proven to cure or relieve work-related injuries and illnesses. Those treatments are laid out in the medical treatment utilization schedule (MTUS), which contains a set of guidelines that provide details on which treatments are effective for certain injuries, as well as how often the treatment should be given, the extent of the treatment, and for how long, among other things. Learn more about the Medical Treatment Utilization Schedule.
Medical Unit
A unit within the DWC that oversees medical provider networks (MPNs), independent medical review (IMR) physicians, health care organizations (HCOs), qualified medical evaluators (QMEs), panel QMEs, utilization review (UR) plans, and spinal surgery second opinion physicians. Formerly called the Industrial Medical Council (IMC). Learn more about the Medical Unit.
Modified Work
Your pre-injury job, with some changes that allow you do to it while you recovering from your injury. If your doctor says you will not be able to return to your job at the time of injury, your employer is encouraged to offer you modified work that is in accordance with medical work restrictions, instead of supplemental job displacement benefits.
Nontransferable Voucher See SJDB
A document you get from the City that must be completed by both you and the City. This is the document used to provide payment for education under the supplemental job displacement benefit program.
Objective Factors
Measurements, direct observations and test results a treating physician, QME or an AME says contribute to your permanent disability.
Off Calendar (OTOC)
A WCAB case in which there is no pending action.
Notice of Offer of Regular, Modified, or Alternative Work (DWC Form #AD 10133.53)
A form you get from the City if: you were injured on or after 1/1/2013, and; your treating physician reports you have a permanent disability and; your employer is offering modified or alternative work instead of a supplemental job displacement benefit. Learn more about the DWC Form.
Panel Qualified Medical Evaluator (QME)
A list of three independent qualified medical evaluators (QMEs) issued by the DWC Medical Unit when either you or the City have a dispute on liability, disability status, the extent of future treatment, the ability to return to work, and/or P&S status. You select any one of the three doctors for your evaluation. If you have an attorney, other rules apply.
Party
Normally this includes the City attorneys and any other person with an interest in your claim (doctors or hospitals that have not been paid).
Penalty
An amount of money you receive because something wasn't done correctly in your claim. Paid by your employer or the City, the penalty amount can be an automatic 10 percent for a delay in one payment to you, or a 25 percent penalty -- up to $10,000 -- for an unreasonable delay.
Permanent and Stationary (P&S) See Maximum Medical Improvement
Your medical condition has reached maximum medical improvement. Once you are P&S, a doctor can assess how much, if any, permanent disability resulted from your work injury. If your disability is rated under the 2005 schedule you will see the term maximal medical improvement (MMI) used in place of P&S. See also P&S report.
Permanent Disability (PD)
Any lasting disability that results in a reduced earning capacity after maximum medical improvement is reached.
Permanent Disability Advance (PDA)
A voluntary lump sum payment of permanent disability you are due in the future.
Permanent Disability (PD) Benefits
Payments you receive when your work injury permanently limits the kinds of work you can do or your ability to earn a living.
Permanent Disability Payments
A mandatory bi-weekly payment based on the undisputed portion of permanent disability received before and/or after an award is issued.
Permanent Disability Rating (PDR)
A percentage that estimates how much a job injury permanently limits the kinds of work you can do. It is based on your medical condition, date of injury, age when injured, occupation when injured, how much of the disability is caused by your job, and your diminished future earning capacity. It determines the number of weeks you are entitled to permanent disability benefits. The percentage then pertains to a set dollar amount, payable bi-weekly.
Permanent Disability Rating Schedule (PDRS)
A DWC publication containing detailed information used to rate permanent disabilities. One of three schedules will be used to rate your disability, depending on when you were injured.
Permanent Partial Disability Award
A final award of permanent partial disability made by a workers' compensation judge or the Workers' Compensation Appeals Board.
Permanent Partial Disability (PPD) Benefits
Payments you receive when your work injury partially limits the kinds of work you can do or your ability to earn a living.
Permanent Total Disability (PTD) Benefits
Payments you receive when you are considered permanently unable to earn a living. This is also known as 100% Permanent Disability, and is payable for life.
Personal Physician
A doctor licensed in California with an M.D. degree (medical doctor) or a D.O. degree (osteopath), who has treated you in the past and has your medical records.
Petition for Reconsideration (Recon)
A legal process to appeal a decision issued by a workers' compensation judge. Heard by the Workers' Compensation Appeals Board Reconsideration Unit, a seven-member, judicial body appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Senate.
Physician
A medical doctor, an osteopath, a psychologist, an acupuncturist, an optometrist, a dentist, a podiatrist or a chiropractor licensed in California. The definition of personal physician is more limited. See personal physician.
Pre-Designated Physician
A physician that can treat your work injury if you advised your employer in writing prior to your work injury or illness and certain conditions are met. See pre-designation.
Pre-Designation
The process you use to tell your employer you want your personal physician to treat you for a work injury. You can pre-designate your personal doctor of medicine (M.D.) or doctor of osteopathy (D.O.) if: your employer offers group health coverage; the doctor has treated you in the past and has your medical records; prior to the injury your doctor agreed to treat you for work injuries or illnesses and; prior to the injury you provided your employer the following in writing:
- Notice that you want your personal doctor to treat you for a work-related injury or illness and
- Your personal doctor's name and business address.
Primary Treating Physician (PTP)
The doctor having overall responsibility for treatment of your work injury or illness. This physician writes medical reports that may affect your benefits. Also called treating physician or treating doctor.
Proof of Service
A form used to show that documents have been sent to specific parties.
P&S Report
A medical report written by a treating physician that describes your medical condition when it has stabilized. See also permanent and stationary.
Qualified Medical Evaluator (QME)
An independent physician certified by the DWC Medical Unit to perform medical evaluations.
Rating
See permanent disability rating.
Reconsideration
See petition for reconsideration.
Reconsideration of a Summary Rating
A process used when you don't have an attorney and you think mistakes were made in your permanent disability rating.
Reconsideration Unit
See appeals board.
Regular Work
Your pre-injury job, paying the same wages and benefits as paid at the time of an injury and located within a reasonable commuting distance of where you lived at the time of your injury.
Restrictions
See work restrictions.
Schedule for Rating Permanent Disabilities
See permanent disability rating schedule.
Serious and Willful Misconduct (S&W)
A petition filed if your injury is caused by the serious and willful misconduct of your employer.
Settlement
An agreement between you and the City about your workers' compensation payments and future medical care. Settlements must be reviewed by a workers' compensation judge to make sure they are adequate.
Social Security Disability Benefits
Long-term financial assistance for totally disabled persons. These benefits come from the U.S. Social Security Administration. They are reduced by workers' compensation payments you receive.
Specific Injury
An injury caused by one event at work. Examples: hurting your back in a fall, getting burned by a chemical splashed on your skin, getting hurt in a car accident while making deliveries.
State Average Weekly Wage
The average weekly wage paid in the previous year to employees in California covered by unemployment insurance, as reported by the U.S. Department of Labor. Effective 2006, temporary disability benefit increases are tied to this index.
State Disability Insurance (SDI)
A partial wage-replacement insurance plan paid out to California workers by the state Employment Development Department (EDD). SDI provides short-term benefits to eligible workers who suffer a loss of wages when they are unable to work due to a non work-related illness or injury, or a medically disabling condition from pregnancy or childbirth. Workers with job injuries may apply for SDI when workers' compensation payments are delayed or denied. Call 1-800-480-3287 for more information on SDI. Learn more about the State Disability Insurance.
Stipulated Rating
Formal agreement on your permanent disability rating. Must be approved by a workers' compensation judge.
Stipulation with Award
A settlement of a case where the parties agree on the terms of an award. This is the document the judge signs to make the award final.
Stipulations with Request for Award (Stips)
A settlement in which the parties agree on the terms of a permanent disability award. It may include future medical treatment. Payment takes place over time. This document is provided to the judge for final review.
Subjective Factors
The amount of pain and other symptoms described by an injured employee that a doctor reports as contributing to a worker's permanent disability. Subjective factors are given very little weight under the 2005 rating schedule as the schedule relies mainly on objective measurements.
Subpoena
A document that requires a witness to appear at a hearing.
Subpoena Duces Tecum (SDT)
A document that requires records be sent to the requester.
Summary Rating
The percentage of permanent disability calculated by the DWC Disability Evaluation Unit.
Summary Rating Reconsideration
A procedure used if you object to the summary rating issued by the DWC Disability Evaluation Unit.
Supplemental Job Displacement Benefit (SJDB) See non-transferable voucher
A workers' compensation benefit. If you were injured in 2004 or later, and have a permanent partial disability that prevents you from doing your old job, and your employer does not offer other work, you qualify for this benefit. It is in the form of a voucher that promises to help pay for educational retraining or skill enhancement, or both, at state-approved or state-accredited schools. Also called voucher.
Temporary Disability (TD)
Payments you get if you lose wages because your injury prevents you from doing your usual job while recovering. For injuries on or after 1/1/2008, TD benefits are payable for up to 104 aggregate weeks, within 5 years from the date of injury.
Temporary Total Disability (TTD) Benefits
Payments you get if you cannot work at all while recovering Benefits are payable at the rate of 2/3 of your pre-injury average weekly earnings, up to a statutory maximum.
Transportation Expenses
A benefit to cover your out-of-pocket expenses for mileage, parking and toll fees incurred while attending medical appointments related to a claim. Usually a reimbursement.
Treating Doctor
See primary treating physician.
Treating Physician
See primary treating physician.
Uninsured Employers Benefits Trust Fund (UEBTF)
A fund, run by the DWC, through which your benefits can be paid if your employer is illegally uninsured for workers' compensation. Learn more about the Uninsured Employers Benefits Trust Fund.
Utilization Review (UR)
The process used by insurance companies to decide whether to authorize and pay for treatment recommended by your treating physician or another doctor. Learn more about the Utilization Review.
Utilization Review Organization (URO)
A third party entity that performs utilization review to evaluate the medical necessity, appropriateness, and efficiency of healthcare services and procedures. The City’s URO is currently Allied Managed Care (AMC).
Voucher
See supplemental job displacement benefit and nontransferable voucher.
Wage Loss (Temporary Partial Disability)
See temporary partial disability benefits.
Work Restrictions
A doctor's description of the work you can and cannot do. Work restrictions help protect you from further injury.
Workers' Compensation Administrative Law Judge
A DWC employee who makes decisions about workers' compensation disputes and approves settlements. Judges hold hearings at local Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) offices, and their decisions may be reviewed and reconsidered by the Reconsideration Unit of the WCAB. Also called workers' compensation judge.
Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB)
Consists of 23 local offices throughout the state where disagreements over workers' compensation benefits are initially heard by workers' compensation judges. The WCAB Reconsideration Unit in San Francisco is a seven-member judicial body appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Senate that hears appeals of decisions issued by local workers' compensation judges. Find office locations.
Workers' Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau (WCIRB)
An agent of the state Department of Insurance and funded by the insurance industry, this private entity provides statistical and rating information for workers' compensation insurance and employer's liability insurance, and collects and tabulates information to develop pure premium rates.
Workers' Compensation Judge
See workers' compensation administrative law judge.