FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Contact: Steve Hopcraft 916/457-5546,
Steve@hopcraft.com

The California Applicants’ Attorneys Association (CAAA), whose members represent Californians injured on the job, today welcomed legislation introduced by US Rep. Joe Baca (D – Rialto) to create a national commission to study states’ workers compensation laws.

“CAAA applauds the introduction of this bill, and looks forward to being helpful in any way we can,” said CAAA President Todd McFarren. “We welcome a national commission to study California’s workers compensation system, and those of other states, and whether California and other states are adequately serving injured workers. We stand ready to provide Congress and the commission, should it be created, with evidence of the drastic reductions in permanent disability compensation since 2004; discrimination in permanent disability awards; and inadequate access to medical treatment for injured workers.”

“We know that insurance payments for permanent disability from work injuries in California are near the bottom nationally, so we can certainly learn from other states who are doing a better job,” McFarren said.