Valdez Decision Reopened Debate over Non-Network Doctor Reports

In the past year, the California Supreme Court has handed down only one decision dealing directly with workers' compensation, and naturally the panelists at the California Applicant Attorneys Association winter convention last weekend discussed that ruling as part of a session on the most important cases of 2013.However, the panelists disagreed about what Valdez v. WCAB (Warehouse Demo) means for injured workers and their attorneys.The case arose from Elayne Valdez's 2009 workplace fall. She initially received treatment from within her employer's medical provider network,...