WorkCompAcademy | Weekly News
Education & Explainer
About
The WorkCompAcademy is a full featured online learning experience. Our faculty includes the leading practitioners in the California Workers' Compensation Community. Our online curriculum covers all aspects of Workers' Compensation Claims, from basic concepts to advanced topics of value to experienced practitioners such as senior claims exectives, attorneys, and Qualified Medical Evaluators. Students can access classes any time, from any internet connected computer. Courses can be completed at an individualized pace.
Episodes
- WorkCompAcademy News - May 25, 2026
Rene Thomas Folse, JD, Ph.D. is the host for this edition which reports on the following news stories: Stepchild Entitled to Conclusive Presumption of Total Dependency. Employer's $257K Attorney Fee Award Against Employee Affirmed. Major D…
- WorkCompAcademy News - May 18, 2026
Rene Thomas Folse, JD, Ph.D. is the host for this edition which reports on the following news stories: WCAB Arbitrator Held to Same Procedural Standards as WCJ. SCIF Prevails in 20 Year Long Employer Premium Audit Litigation. Employers Fil…
- WorkCompAcademy News - May 11, 2026
Rene Thomas Folse, JD, Ph.D. is the host for this edition which reports on the following news stories: Railcar Repairman Not Under FAA Transportation Worker Exemption. Staffing Company Arbitration Agmt. Not Applicable to Employer. O.C. PET…
- WorkCompAcademy News - May 4, 2026
Rene Thomas Folse, JD, Ph.D. is the host for this edition which reports on the following news stories: Court of Appeal May Rely on WCAB Unread Certified Record. Court of Appeal Rejects Opinions of Leading Law Treatises. Going and Coming Ru…
- WorkCompAcademy News - April 27, 2026
Rene Thomas Folse, JD, Ph.D. is the host for this edition which reports on the following news stories: WCAB Panel Says Applicant Credibility Issue Justifies Take Nothing. Exclusive Remedy Bars Fraud Case Against TPA and Claim Adjuster. Zur…
- WorkCompAcademy News - April 20, 2026
Rene Thomas Folse, JD, Ph.D. is the host for this edition which reports on the following news stories: WCRI Examines Air Ambulance Use and Costs Across 32 States. 132a Reversed Because WCAB Systematically Ignored Evidence. Reconsideration…
- WorkCompAcademy News - April 13, 2026
Rene Thomas Folse, JD, Ph.D. is the host for this edition which reports on the following news stories: 9th Circuit Strikes Down Most of California's Dialysis Law - AB 290. Ventura Contractor Charged with Workers’ Compensation Fraud. Orange…
- WorkCompAcademy News - April 6, 2026
Rene Thomas Folse, JD, Ph.D. is the host for this edition which reports on the following news stories: Lien Dismissal for Failure to File Declaration Under § 4903.05(c). Court of Appeal to Decide Limits on Corporate Practice of Medicine. C…
- WorkCompAcademy News - March 30, 2026
Rene Thomas Folse, JD, Ph.D. is the host for this edition which reports on the following news stories: 9th Circuit Rejects Application of California Arbitration Law. Anti-SLAPP Motion Denial Affirmed in University Retaliation Case. Express…
- WorkCompAcademy News - March 23, 2026
Rene Thomas Folse, JD, Ph.D. is the host for this edition which reports on the following news stories: LA City College Owes Damages for Blind Students Inadequate Accommodations. Companies Allegedly Sell EHR Data to Mass Tort Plaintiff Lawy…
- WorkCompAcademy News - March 16, 2026
Rene Thomas Folse, JD, Ph.D. is the host for this edition which reports on the following news stories: Court Strikes $1M Worker's Punitive Damages for Lack of Evidence. DOI, Consumer Watchdog and State Farm Reach Settlement. Man To Serve 7…
- WorkCompAcademy News - March 9, 2026
Rene Thomas Folse, JD, Ph.D. is the host for this edition which reports on the following news stories: WCAB Affirms Take Nothing Based on Worker Credibility Issues. Court Declines to Overturn Arbitration Award in Favor of Employer. Good Fo…
- WorkCompAcademy News - March 2, 2026
Rene Thomas Folse, JD, Ph.D. is the host for this edition which reports on the following news stories:AI Is Not A Lawyer - and No Attorney-Client Privilege Applies. Supreme Court Hohenshelt Ruling Gains Traction in Pending Cases. City of L…
- WorkCompAcademy News - February 23, 2026
Rene Thomas Folse, JD, Ph.D. is the host for this edition which reports on the following news stories: City of Santa Ana Prevails in Injured Workers FEHA Case. Exclusive Remedy Ends City Office Workers Asbestos Lawsuit. Court of Appeal Aff…
- WorkCompAcademy News - February 16, 2026
Rene Thomas Folse, JD, Ph.D. is the host for this edition which reports on the following news stories: Exclusive Remedy Applies to Cal/OSHA Rule Violations. LCO Resolves Farm Workers' Wage-and-Hour Case for $6M. Former NFL Player Convicted…
- WorkCompAcademy News - February 9, 2026
Rene Thomas Folse, JD, Ph.D. is the host for this edition which reports on the following news stories: Entities Related to Convicted Felon Dr. Grusd in 8th Year of Lien Litigation. Employees Can Sue for Even Technical ICRAA Disclosure Viol…
- WorkCompAcademy News - February 2, 2026
Rene Thomas Folse, JD, Ph.D. is the host for this edition which reports on the following news stories: Lien Consolidation Orders Require Reasons & Summary of Evidence. Fed Court Uses Rule 23(d) to Limit Arbitration Opt Out Abuse. Current S…
- WorkCompAcademy News - January 26, 2026
Rene Thomas Folse, JD, Ph.D. is the host for this edition which reports on the following news stories: Ventura Staffing Company to Pay $650K for Fake Comp Policies. WorkWhile to Pay $4.1M to Resolve Misclassification Case. Drug Prices Up 4…
- WorkCompAcademy News - January 19, 2026
Rene Thomas Folse, JD, Ph.D. is the host for this edition which reports on the following news stories: Court Reverses WCAB in Another "Grant-For-Study" Case. Commutation of Attorney Fees in Lifetime Award Ends After Full Payment. Interstat…
- WorkCompAcademy News - January 12, 2026
Rene Thomas Folse, JD, Ph.D. is the host for this edition which reports on the following news stories: Pension Denied for Injured Deputy's Unreasonable Refusal of Surgery. Court Denies Carriers Suit Against Attorneys for Worker's Fraudulen…
- WorkCompAcademy News - December 15, 2025
Rene Thomas Folse, JD, Ph.D. is the host for this edition which reports on the following news stories: Court Removes Comp & Liability Provisions From Fair Plan Policies. Another SoCal Attorney Sanctioned for an AI Appellate Brief. Grounds…
- WorkCompAcademy News - November 24, 2025
Rene Thomas Folse, JD, Ph.D. is the host for this edition which reports on the following news stories: Honda Dealership Prevails in PAGA Wage Hour Dispute. Court Clarifies When a PAGA Settlement Resolves Multiple Lawsuits. Wells Fargo Pays…
- WorkCompAcademy News - November 17, 2025
Rene Thomas Folse, JD, Ph.D. is the host for this edition which reports on the following news stories: IMR Required Despite No Substantive Change in Medical Condition. City & County of San Francisco Prevails in Disabled Retiree FEHA Claim.…
- WorkCompAcademy News - November 10, 2025
Rene Thomas Folse, JD, Ph.D. is the host for this edition which reports on the following news stories: Cal Supreme Court Says Criminal Misgendering Law is Constitutional. Aetna Resolves SoCal Denial of Disc Surgery Class Action. Uber/Lyft…
- WorkCompAcademy News - November 3, 2025
Rene Thomas Folse, JD, Ph.D. is the host for this edition which reports on the following news stories: Trader Joe's Successfully Defends Worker's Retaliatory Termination Case. Visiting Store Just to Build a Lawsuit No Defense to Unruh Dama…
- WorkCompAcademy News - October 27, 2025
Rene Thomas Folse, JD, Ph.D. is the host for this edition which reports on the following news stories: DIR, Uber and Lyft Battle About Cal/OSHA Jurisdiction Over Drivers. Marin County Woman Sentenced for Insurance Fraud. Recruiters & Fraud…
- WorkCompAcademy News - October 20, 2025
Rene Thomas Folse, JD, Ph.D. is the host for this edition which reports on the following news stories: WCAB En Banc Coldiron Decisions Not Superseded by New Regs. Hospital Association Files Lawsuit Against California Spending Caps. New Law…
- WorkCompAcademy News - October 13, 2025
Rene Thomas Folse, JD, Ph.D. is the host for this edition which reports on the following news stories: Appellate Court Rejects WCAB View on Pro-Athlete Jurisdiction Law. Employer Has No Right to Arbitrate Headless PAGA Action. Clear and Un…
- WorkCompAcademy News - October 6, 2025
Rene Thomas Folse, JD, Ph.D. is the host for this edition which reports on the following news stories: WCAB Intends to Sanction Applicants Attorneys for "Fabricated" Citations. Chiropractic Care Limited to 24 Visits Despite Multiple Injuri…
- WorkCompAcademy News - September 29, 2025
Rene Thomas Folse, JD, Ph.D. is the host for this edition which reports on the following news stories: Starbucks Face Class Actions Over Costs of New Dress Code. Westlaw Copyright Suit Win vs First AI Competitor on Appeal. Partial Summary…
- WorkCompAcademy News - September 22, 2025
Rene Thomas Folse, JD, Ph.D. is the host for this edition which reports on the following news stories: California to Pay $3.3M in FEHA Damages + $4.9M Attorney Fees. Uber Sued For $125M by DOJ for Riders' Disability Discrimination. Publish…
- WorkCompAcademy News - September 15, 2025
Rene Thomas Folse, JD, Ph.D. is the host for this edition which reports on the following news stories: Physician's Suspension by DIR Unaffected by PC 1385 Dismissal. Carriers Not Obligated to Refund Approved but Excessive Rates. DOJ Tough…
- WorkCompAcademy News - September 8, 2025
Rene Thomas Folse, JD, Ph.D. is the host for this edition which reports on the following news stories: Corrections Officer Wrongly Accused of WC Fraud Sues Employer. Supreme Court Clears Worker Injured at Yacht Club to Sue Employer. Burban…
- WorkCompAcademy News - September 1, 2025
Rene Thomas Folse, JD, Ph.D. is the host for this edition which reports on the following news stories: Supreme Ct. Limits Employer Wage/Hour Good Faith Defense Rule. Musk's X Reaches Tentative Settlement $500M Class Action. Tesla HR Execs'…
- WorkCompAcademy News - August 25, 2025
Rene Thomas Folse, JD, Ph.D. is the host for this edition which reports on the following news stories: 6th DCA Extends WCAB Equitable Jurisdiction Beyond 60 Days. Cal. Supreme Ct. Adds More Arbitration Agreement Exception Rules. 5th Circui…
- WorkCompAcademy News - August 18, 2025
Rene Thomas Folse, JD, Ph.D. is the host for this edition which reports on the following news stories:WCAB En Banc Concludes Electronic Testimony Must be Readily Permitted. Cal Supreme Court Improves Arbitration Rules for Employers. Federa…
- WorkCompAcademy News - August 11, 2025
Rene Thomas Folse, JD, Ph.D. is the host for this edition which reports on the following news stories: Insurance Commissioner Files Legal Action Against FAIR Plan. Dismissal of Chamber of Commerce Medicare Challenge Affirmed. Court Approve…
- WorkCompAcademy News - August 4, 2025
Rene Thomas Folse, JD, Ph.D. is the host for this edition which reports on the following news stories: Fraud in Federal Employment Law Case Supports Terminating Sanction. Consumer Watchdog's DOI FAIR Plan Challenge Case May Proceed. AG Res…
- WorkCompAcademy News - July 28, 2025
Rene Thomas Folse, JD, Ph.D. is the host for this edition which reports on the following news stories: Appeal of California Comp Carrier Rehabilitation Plan Denied. Uber Alleges L.A. Doctors & Lawyers Filed Fraudulent Claims. Aetna Whistle…
- WorkCompAcademy News - July 21, 2025
Rene Thomas Folse, JD, Ph.D. is the host for this edition which reports on the following news stories: California Receives $4.1M From Gilead Sciences for Illegal Kickbacks. Westminster Seeks $600K in Civil Fraud Case Against Former Cop. SI…
- WorkCompAcademy News - July 14, 2025
Rene Thomas Folse, JD, Ph.D. is the host for this edition which reports on the following news stories: WCAB Denies Reconsideration of Psyche Claim Take Nothing. Convicted SoCal Comp Fraudster Charged in New $270M Fraud Sweep. DME Supplier…
- WorkCompAcademy News - June 30, 2025
Rene Thomas Folse, JD, Ph.D. is the host for this edition which reports on the following news stories: Plaintiff Must Hold or Desire Job at Time of ADA Discrimination. Class Action Against Employer Can be Decertified at Any Time. Case Dism…
- WorkCompAcademy News - June 23, 2025
Rene Thomas Folse, JD, Ph.D. is the host for this edition which reports on the following news stories: WCAB Decides When and How Subrosa Can Be Sent to QME. Employer Sues Injured Worker's Firm for Malicious Prosecution. Two Employment Cont…
- WorkCompAcademy News - June 16, 2025
Rene Thomas Folse, JD, Ph.D. is the host for this edition which reports on the following news stories: No Obligation to Give Notice of 5 Year Statute to Reopen Award. SCOTUS Rejects "Reverse" Employment Discrimination Standard. Employer's…
- WorkCompAcademy News - June 9, 2025
Rene Thomas Folse, JD, Ph.D. is the host for this edition which reports on the following news stories: W.C. Exclusivity Ends Janitor's Intentional Injury at School Case. Home Depot Settles Overnight Overtime Wages Case for $3.35M. Court of…
- WorkCompAcademy News - June 2, 2025
Rene Thomas Folse, JD, Ph.D. is the host for this edition which reports on the following news stories: $147M Verdict Against Johnson & Johnson in SoCal Antitrust Case. No Retroactive Application for PAGA One Year Statute of Limitations. Sa…
- WorkCompAcademy News - May 26, 2025
Rene Thomas Folse, JD, Ph.D. is the host for this edition which reports on the following news stories: WCAB (En Banc) Limits Replacement QME Process. Admitting Evidence Not Listed at MSC Is Not "Harmless Error". Court Finds United Indian H…
- WorkCompAcademy News - May 19, 2025
Rene Thomas Folse, JD, Ph.D. is the host for this edition which reports on the following news stories: DOI For Coverage Mandatory Arbitration is Defined by LC 5412. Jury Trial Rights Attach to Claim for Unruh Civil Rights Act Damages. Six…
- WorkCompAcademy News - May 12, 2025
Rene Thomas Folse, JD, Ph.D. is the host for this edition which reports on the following news stories: WCAB Upholds Managing Partner's Waiver of Comp Benefits. Court of Appeal Limits Exceptions to Going and Coming Rule. California FAA Pree…
- WorkCompAcademy News - May 5, 2025
Rene Thomas Folse, JD, Ph.D. is the host for this edition which reports on the following news stories: Injured LAPD Officer Pursues FEHA Claim for Subrosa Investigation. "Death Knell Doctrine" Does Not Support Class Action Appeal. Attorney…