| Robert Newman For Governor |
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The Workers' Compensation system was originally conceived as an effort to provide benefits to injured
workers. The intention was both noble and appropriate.
Historically, California drafted the first Workers' Compensation Act in 1911 (the Roseberry act).
Participation was voluntary. In 1913, participation became compulsory (the Boynton Act). In 1917, the
basic compensation law in force today in California was written into the Labor Code, part of the
California Constitution.
As a practicing psychologist, I had intimate knowledge of the system. I earned a certificate as a
specialist in workers' compensation from the University of California, Riverside. I have evaluated and
treated numerous injured workers and have served as an expert witness in court. I know something
about why the system is dehumanizing and frustrating for injured workers and why the system is
uncontrollably expensive for employers. THE PROBLEM CAN BE FIXED! Premiums can be lowered.
Truly injured workers can receive their guaranteed benefits much more quickly. Rest assured, I do
have knowledgeable and experienced advisers who are eager to correct the problems. This will greatly
benefit both the employer and the injured worker.
A few years ago the outgoing Governor claimed in his State of the State Address to the legislature that
he had solved the Workers’ Compensation problem. I do not fully agree with him. Many injured
workers, both with settled or pending cases are not in agreement. In discussion with various
employers, they also were of the opinion that the workers’ compensation problem is not solved in
California.
The injured worker and the employer are trapped in the swinging political pendulum. It is an error to be
oriented too much to the defense side or too much to the applicant side. In the interest of fairness, both
sides need to be weighed so a balance can be reached.
Fraud in the system must be addressed. Workers who file claims who were not actually injured or who
were not injured on the job must be discovered and appropriately handled. Fraud also exists on the
employer side where, for example, the employer underpays premiums.
As the pendulum swings, the insurance industry in California has had four years of record-setting profits
amounting to billions of dollars. Yet injured workers have been denied up to 50% of their previous
permanent disability benefits. Remove fraud and instill equitability in claims.
workers. The intention was both noble and appropriate.
Historically, California drafted the first Workers' Compensation Act in 1911 (the Roseberry act).
Participation was voluntary. In 1913, participation became compulsory (the Boynton Act). In 1917, the
basic compensation law in force today in California was written into the Labor Code, part of the
California Constitution.
As a practicing psychologist, I had intimate knowledge of the system. I earned a certificate as a
specialist in workers' compensation from the University of California, Riverside. I have evaluated and
treated numerous injured workers and have served as an expert witness in court. I know something
about why the system is dehumanizing and frustrating for injured workers and why the system is
uncontrollably expensive for employers. THE PROBLEM CAN BE FIXED! Premiums can be lowered.
Truly injured workers can receive their guaranteed benefits much more quickly. Rest assured, I do
have knowledgeable and experienced advisers who are eager to correct the problems. This will greatly
benefit both the employer and the injured worker.
A few years ago the outgoing Governor claimed in his State of the State Address to the legislature that
he had solved the Workers’ Compensation problem. I do not fully agree with him. Many injured
workers, both with settled or pending cases are not in agreement. In discussion with various
employers, they also were of the opinion that the workers’ compensation problem is not solved in
California.
The injured worker and the employer are trapped in the swinging political pendulum. It is an error to be
oriented too much to the defense side or too much to the applicant side. In the interest of fairness, both
sides need to be weighed so a balance can be reached.
Fraud in the system must be addressed. Workers who file claims who were not actually injured or who
were not injured on the job must be discovered and appropriately handled. Fraud also exists on the
employer side where, for example, the employer underpays premiums.
As the pendulum swings, the insurance industry in California has had four years of record-setting profits
amounting to billions of dollars. Yet injured workers have been denied up to 50% of their previous
permanent disability benefits. Remove fraud and instill equitability in claims.
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Workers' Compensation
"The voice of the people"
| Legitimate work injuries need to appropriately and quickly be compensated. Robert Newman |
