Yesterday, Governor Gavin Newsom signed an executive order creating a rebuttable presumption that a California employee who contracts COVID-19 contracted it in the course of their employment. This would entitle the employee to workers’ compensation benefits, unless the employer successfully proved they did not contract it at work. In a normal workers’ compensation claim, the…
In these uncertain times, businesses are being forced to consider drastic measures to weather the current economic crisis, including potential reductions in the workforce. However, businesses need to be aware of their obligations under both the federal and California Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act prior to implementing any mass layoff, relocation, or termination…
RPNA is excited to announce the launching of its mediation and arbitration practice, headed by Senior Partner Drew Pomerance. Although Mr. Pomerance continues to maintain his full-time litigation practice, he is now also available for mediations and arbitrations in employment, insurance and complex business cases. As a Co-Founding member of the firm, Mr. Pomerance has…
On April 17, we sent you an email alert about the Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau’s (“WCIRB”) proposed regulatory changes to payroll reporting and the classification of payroll and claims. The changes included allowing the Clerical Office classification to be used for many employees who are now working from home, excluding COVID-19 workers’ compensation claims…
Earlier this month, Nicholas Roxborough urged the Division of Workers’ Compensation to make telehealth a default option for QMEs. View the full Workers’ Comp Executive article here.
With the COVID-19 crisis continuing to alter the business and employment landscape, RPNA wanted to alert its friends and clients that the Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau (“WCIRB”) recently proposed regulatory changes to payroll reporting and the classification of payroll and claims. On April 14, 2020, the WCIRB Rating and Classification Committee meeting proposed the…
As the COVID-19 crisis has reduced the activities of many businesses, the projected exposures to losses made prior to the crisis may now be overstated. Yesterday, Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara responded to this new reality. Commissioner Lara ordered insurers to make an initial premium refund for the months of March and April to all adversely…
In this San Fernando Valley Business Journal article, Nicholas Roxborough discusses the reality of leading a law firm under COVID-19. Read the full article here.
As part of our ongoing effort to aid your business in navigating these uncertain times, below is part 2 of our newsletter series with FAQs relating to potential relief programs for small businesses under the recently passed CARES Act. 1. Does My Business Qualify for the Paycheck Protection Program Loan? A small business…
On April 6, 2020, prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic, California Insurance Commissioner, Ricardo Lara, sent a formal Notice to workers’ compensation insurers reminding them that all workers are entitled to protection under California’s workers’ compensation laws, regardless of immigration status. More importantly, he added: “Workers’ compensation injuries caused by COVID-19 that arise out of and occur in the course of employment are compensable to the same extent as any…