Attorneys Have Mixed Views on whether Bodam Brings Clarity or Confusion

Applicant and defense attorneys across the state have mixed views on the direction that the Workers' Compensation Appeals Board has indicated it is heading with its recent significant panel decision, Bodam v. San Bernardino County. Without question, the issue of when and how the board can decide medical necessity for a worker's treatment has been hotly contested. The board has addressed the issue twice this year, en banc, before it issued Bodam earlier this month. Both applicants' and defense attorneys said they think the board was correct in holding that a utilization-review...