OrthoLegal Insights:
Commentary from our
QME Experts.
SB 291: Strengthening Contractor Compliance, Clarifying the QME Role
Starting January 1, 2026, California’s SB 291 takes a firmer approach to uninsured contractors by increasing penalties and strengthening enforcement of workers’ compensation coverage in ...
Read More
Supporting the QME and AME Process with Early Medical-Legal Documentation
In California workers’ compensation, Qualified Medical Evaluators (QMEs) and Agreed Medical Evaluators (AMEs) play a central role in resolving disputed medical issues. Their evaluations are ...
Read More
Supporting the QME and AME System: Why Qualified and Agreed Medical Evaluators Are More Important Than Ever
In California’s workers’ compensation system, medical-legal (ML) evaluations are the cornerstone of fairness and clarity in resolving disputed claims. Yet, both applicants and providers frequently ...
Read More
From Fabrication Floor to Medical-Legal Report: SB 20 and the QME Role
Several California laws taking effect January 1, 2026 address occupational exposure risks in specific work environments. SB 20 (Menjivar) Occupational Safety: High-Exposure Trigger Tasks on Artificial Stone focuses on silica exposure ...
Read More
AB 1293 and QMEs: Administrative Updates Designed to Support Medical-Legal Practice
Beginning January 1, 2026, AB 1293 (Wallis) will introduce procedural updates affecting how Qualified Medical Evaluators (QMEs) receive requests for evaluation and organize medical-legal reports ...
Read More
From Injury to Impairment: What Whole Person Impairment Means for an Injured Wor
When an injured worker undergoes a medical-legal evaluation in a California Workers’ Compensation case, one of the most important determinations made by the physician is ...
Read More
Not All Medical-Legal Reports Are Created Equal — Here’s Why QMEs and AMEs Stand Out
In California’s workers’ compensation system, Qualified Medical Evaluators (QMEs) and Agreed Medical Evaluators (AMEs) carry a heavy responsibility. They must produce impartial, comprehensive reports that ...
Read More
Contested Claims in Focus: What Triggers a Legitimate QME or AME Evaluation
In the world of California workers’ compensation, the term “contested claim” carries significant meaning for Qualified Medical Evaluators (QMEs) and Agreed Medical Evaluators (AMEs). Knowing ...
Read More
In Defense of Expertise: Why QMEs and AMEs Matter More Than Ever
In California’s workers’ compensation system, Qualified Medical Evaluators (QMEs) and Agreed Medical Evaluators (AMEs) remain the foundation of fair and objective medical-legal decision-making. Their evaluations ...
Read More
Who Pays and Why? A Guide to Causation and Apportionment in California Workers’ Compensation
In California workers’ compensation, understanding the difference between causation and apportionment is essential for employers, employees, and lawyers alike. These concepts help determine whether an ...
Read More
What Qualifies as an Injury in California Workers’ Compensation?
Many California workers who get hurt on the job ask the same question: Does my situation really count as a work injury? The answer is ...
Read More
Understanding AOE and COE in California Workers’ Compensation
In California, determining whether an injury qualifies for workers’ compensation often comes down to two key legal tests: Arising Out of Employment (AOE) and Course ...
Read More