Speakers Say Success of Reform Depends on Implementation

By Greg Jones, Western Bureau ChiefDANA POINT, Calif. -- A defense attorney and an Appeals Board commissioner said the reform bill that takes effect on Jan. 1 presents real opportunities to reduce litigation and system costs in California, but at the same time warned that some provisions could lead to increased litigation, depending on how they're implemented. Kathy Zalewski, chief counsel of the Department of Industrial Relations, kicked off the California Workers' Compensation and Risk Conference on Wednesday morning discussing the benefits of Senate Bill 863 and the administration&#...