California Lien Claims in Workers’ Compensation Cases

Product Description

This publication cites 400 cases, with each one personally read, analyzed, and explained by Judge Foust.

Lien claim law and procedure have grown so complex that procedural error and faulty reasoning can affect outcomes more than the merits. Pitfalls abound and missteps can be costly. Now you can readily learn the law and arguments that support your position with California Lien Claims in Workers’ Compensation Cases.

This plain English guide walks you step-by-step through the law and procedure of lien claims, complete with hypothetical fact patterns, effective arguments, and practical suggestions for resolving disputes short of trial.

Judge Foust provides step-by-step lien procedure instructions for applicants, claimants, and defendants. Detailed, start-to-finish coverage is provided:

Procedure

• Due process
• Filing the lien claim
• Appointment letters
• Service by lien claimants
• Service by parties on claimants
• Notices of hearing
• Due process vs. expeditious hearings
• Dismissal of liens
• Disallowance or denial of lien claims
• Petitions for benefits
• Hearings before the WCAB
• Arbitration of lien disputes
• Priority of payment of lien claims
• Settlement of lien claims
• Provisions of the Policy & Procedural Manual

Discovery

• Permissible discovery
• Lien claimants as parties
• Subpoenas
• Depositions
• Notices to appear or produce
• Enforcement of discovery orders

Trial

• Notice of issues to be decided
• Lien trials
• Lien claimant participation
• Disputes over service
• Advocacy vs. collection techniques

Thirty-four forms and over 800 case citations support the text. You will find coverage of:

Medical treatment liens

• Injury AOE/COE and other threshold issues
• Medical control
• Qualifications of the provider
• Reasonable medical necessity
• Reasonable value

Medical-legal liens

• Threshold issues
• No contested claim
• No evidentiary value
• Violation of AME/QME procedure
• Qualifications of the provider
• Reasonable value

Attorney’s fees

• Standards for determining the amount of the fee
• Cases of 100% disability
• Calculation of fee to be paid by defendant
• Division between attorneys

Liens for living expenses

• Debts owed to landlords and attorneys
• Liens of EDD and private disability carriers
• Child and spousal support

And more

• Interpreters and other costs of litigation
• Credit and restitution

REVISION 17 HIGHLIGHTS

In this edition of California Lien Claims the focus is again on:

Anti-Fraud Provisions Affecting Lien Recovery and Medical Service Providers

• Automatic Stay for Providers Charged with Fraud, §10:50
• Suspension Procedure Regulations and Consequences of Suspension, §10:61
• Medical Provider Declaration Requirements, §10:80

Other updated topics include:

Medical Treatment Liens

• Disputes Over Medical Necessity and Reasonable Value, §2:04
• Litigation Over Network Control, §2:187
• Independent Bill Review (IBR), §2:392
• Long Term Acute Care Hospitals, §2:453.1

Medical-Legal Liens

• Photocopying and Medical-Legal Requirements, §3:195

Liens for Living Expenses

• Effect of Insufficient Funds, §4:13
• Concurrence of Payments with Award, §4:71
• Workers’ Compensation Exclusion, §4:73
• Voluntary Agreement Not Required, §4:92

Attorneys’ Fees

• Fees for Related Matters, §5:01
• Apportionment of Fee, §5:190

Costs

• Defendant Pays, §6:11
• The Superior Court Rate, §6:40
• Frivolous Lien Disputes, §6:109

Lien Procedure

• Sworn Declarations Filed with Liens, §8:12
• The Lien Filing and Activation Fees, §8:20
• Three-Year and 18-Month Limitations Periods, §8:46
• WCAB Hearings, §8:171
• Determination of Medical-Legal Disputes, §8:302
• Arbitration of Lien Disputes, §8:306

AND MORE!