The most draconian worker's compensation law passed in a century this week [View All]

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

Let me first state that I do have empathy for employers but they have let Republicans fool them again.

Prior to this week in the state of California, if a person was injured on the job, they were under the care of the insurance company doctor for the first 30 days. This allowed the carrier's doc to determine if serious injury occurred and if it didn't and the injury was minor, the carrier's doc could release them back to work within that 30 days with no disability and the burden would be on the patient to prove they had more injury than was stated.

This new law gives total control to the carrier (but here's the hitch) for employers with more than 50 employees..so the small business gets screwed once again and larger corporations get the goodies.

This law severely limits a person's right to be represented by an attorney, rations medical care no matter how serious the injury is and leaves almost all cause for recourse with the carrier's doctor, in the hands of the carrier.

The cycle is almost complete. The progressive state laws from the early part of the past century are slowly but surely making their way on the chopping block.

But here is the catch. The governator signed a bill that capped injured worker's rights..but DOES NOT cap carriers premiums....so once again...employers are being fooled by carriers.

The ONLY TIME insurance rates have ever GONE DOWN AND STAYED down was when INUSRANCE REFORM was passed. The state of California was once again fooled by Republicans.

Before anyone says, "but the Dems voted for it too. " The choice as simple...Ahhhhnold had them over a rack..either they voted for THIS draconian bill, or they ran up against the bill Arnold got sigs for on the ballot which was twice as draconian and the ballot initiative would have energized the Republican base.

Oh....and for progressives who claim the Dem party is a sell-out...the most progressive state senator in California (and probably in all 50 states) John Burton voted for this as well.

In closing...FUCK REPUBLICANS!