OrthoLegal Insights:
Commentary from our
QME Experts.
OrthoLegal’s commentary is written for the people in California’s medical-legal system: orthopaedic QMEs and AMEs, the attorneys who read their reports and the injured workers the reports are about. New posts cover evaluations, report writing, apportionment, case law and practice management, twice a week. Start with our page on QME evaluations or the page for physicians.
Cumulative Trauma: Industrial Injuries Over Time
Work-related injuries may occur due to accidents or to repetitive job duties. Cumulative trauma is defined as a work-related medical impairment caused by “repetitive mentally ...
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Presumptive Industrial Injuries in California Workers’ Compensation Claims
California’s Workers’ Compensation system includes specific laws that cover injuries presumed to be caused by certain types of employment. Known as presumptions, these laws shift ...
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Industrially related Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) is a debilitating condition sometimes associated with industrial injuries, and Qualified Medical Evaluators (QMEs) will encounter this in injury claims. ...
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Activities of Daily Living: the basis for impairment in California Workers’ Compensation
In Workers’ Compensation reports, it is crucial to provide a comprehensive update on how an injury impacts an injured worker’s day-to-day life. These activities are ...
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The AMA Guidelines Fifth Edition in Contested California Workers’ Compensation Cases
Injured workers with higher disability ratings are entitled to more benefits compared to those with lower ratings in the state of California. The implementation of ...
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Workers’ Compensation claims in the presence of comorbidities
According to the CDC, 11.6 percent of Americans have Diabetes mellitus, nearly half have hypertension, and 42% are obese (1). These and many other diseases ...
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QME Reports: Why do they matter?
In the Workers’ Compensation industry, the various parties involved including raters, attorneys, insurers, employers, and judges, rely on QME (Qualified Medical Evaluator) reports to fulfill ...
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Celebrating May Day, International Workers’ Day
International Workers’ Day, commonly known as May Day, is a global observance that honors the achievements and sacrifices of the labor movement. Observed in over ...
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DWC Mandates 16-Hour Report-Writing Course for QME Certification, Additional Continuing MedicoLegal Education Hours
The Department of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) recently updated the regulations regarding their mandatory report-writing course for Qualified Medical Evaluators (QMEs). Effective February 26, 2024, the ...
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Causation in Workers’ Compensation Cases
In disputed Workers’ Compensation cases in California, a QME is asked to help settle the dispute. The first question addressed in a report is whether ...
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Addressing Bias in Workers’ Compensation Disputes
The California Workers’ Compensation system serves as a lifeline for employees who have sustained work-related injuries or illnesses, offering necessary financial aid and medical support. ...
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César Chávez: Advocate for Workers’ Rights
In the annals of American history, few figures loom as prominently in the struggle for workers’ rights as César Chávez. Born on March 31, 1927, ...
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