Produced in partnership with the California Department of Industrial Relations, Division of Workers' Compensation, this course will provide a clear and comprehensive outline of essential components for a Workers' Compensation Medical Legal Report. Review key concepts and terminology, identify statutes and regulations governing medical legal report writing in California, and leverage the QME Guided Report Quality Assurance Checklist to author medical legal reports that withstand scrutiny, effectively communicate findings, and serve as compelling evidence in legal proceedings.
Learning Objectives:
At the completion of this activity, the learner will be able to:
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Identify the components of a complete California Workers' Compensation Medical Legal Report
- Define key concepts and terminology
- Review key statutes and regulations governing medical legal report writing in California
- Prepare a report that meets substantial medical evidence standards
Accreditation:
This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the California Medical Association (CMA) through the joint providership of The Center for Occupational and Environmental Health (COEH) and State of California Department of Industrial Relations Division of Workers' Compensation. The Center for Occupational and Environmental Health is accredited by the CMA to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
The Center for Occupational and Environmental Health designates this enduring material for a maximum of 2.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
The UC Berkeley Center for Occupational and Environmental Health is a DIR DWC approved QME Continuing Education Course Provider (Provider No. 420). Qualified Medical Evaluators may report up to 2.0 hours of credit for QME reappointment.
This program has been approved for 2.0 hours of Legal Specialist Minimum Continuing Legal Education (LSMCLE) and Minimum Continuing Legal Education (MCLE). Specialty Area: Workers’ Compensation Law; Provider Number 20559; Approval Period 3/1/2024 through 2/28/2026.
Provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider Number 12983, for 2.0 contact hours.
Dr. Steven Feinberg:
Author Biography:
Dr. Steven Feinberg is Board Certified by the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, the American Board of Pain Medicine and the American Board of Electrodiagnostic Medicine. He is a California Qualified Medical Evaluator (QME). Dr. Feinberg is a past president (1996) of the American Academy of Pain Medicine. He served as a longtime member of the Board of Directors of the California Society of Industrial Medicine and Surgery (CSIMS) and served as Year 2001 President. In 2006, he received the Silver Scalpel Award from CSIMS. He serves on the Board of Directors of the American Chronic Pain Association.
Nicole Richardson, Esq.
Author Biography:
Nicole L. Richardson, JD, began her career as Staff Counsel at State Compensation Insurance Fund. She continued in the workers’ compensation space during her time as Staff Counsel at Pacific Compensation Insurance Company, and as Attorney at SiliconBay Training, where she researched and drafted independent contractor and employment contracts, and implemented employment regulations to maintain insurance compliance. In 2017, Nichole joined the Division of Workers’ Compensation, where she hosts stakeholder meetings, drafts and implements regulations, and advises the Medical Unit regarding the Qualified Medical Evaluator program. She received her BA from the University of California, Berkeley, and her JD from Santa Clara University in 2003.