In this bonus pod, host Nasir F. Adil, Equity Partner and Managing Attorney at Bradford & Barthel, recaps the 2025 Comp Corner mailbag. Whether a seasoned attorney or new to CA comp, you are sure to find questions – and answers – that are instructive and topical. Nasir covers EDD state disability reimbursement, med-legal evaluations involving pro per applicants, due diligence when performing discovery, challenging apportionment before and at trial, panel disputes, the roles of I&A officers, panel requests pursuant to Labor Code 4060, the recent Rodriguez decision and the Patterson Doctrine…

Host: Nasir F. Adil | Email: [email protected] | CE Certificate: https://forms.gle/jEDr1rNXH6y8EFsVA

Host Nasir F. Adil is joined by Sherri Dozier, Director of Client Development and Relations at Bradford & Barthel, to discuss all things DWC audits. They begin by covering mock audits/PAR audits, what they entail, and the five categories that auditors go through (5:30). Sherri then delves deeper into wage statement calculations and earning capacity (16:15). As always, we take a break for the Comp Corner Mailbag; we tackle the recent Rodriguez decision and the Patterson Doctrine (29:05). Coming back to the interview, Sherri discusses the second phase, FCA, and past experiences that resulted in big savings (31:15). We wrap up with a discussion of Labor Code Section 4650(c)(4) (46:40). We then get to know Sherri and Nasir even better in ‘5 in 5,’ America’s favorite workers’ compensation game, as we break down regrettable fashion trends and embarrassing Zoom stories (51:40)… Host: Nasir F. Adil | Guest: Sherri Dozier | Email: [email protected] | CE Certificate: https://forms.gle/jEDr1rNXH6y8EFsVA

In this emergency pod covering the recent California appellate court decision in Rodriguez, host Nasir F. Adil is joined by Louis Larres, Director of Bradford & Barthel’s Appellate Division, who argued the case for the defense at the 2nd District Court of Appeal, and John Kamin, Director of B&B’s Editorial Board, who argued the case at the trial level. They discuss the main takeaways from this published decision, the shifting of the burden of proof regarding “change in condition,” the likelihood of appeal, and if this is citable authority (2:27). There is also a discussion of the Patterson Doctrine in general and its influence on defendants’ decision to authorize care (15:30). Louis and John expand on what the decision says about “writ denieds” (32:42). The conversation concludes with an examination of broader implications and consequences of this decision (42:15) … Host: Nasir F. Adil | Guests: Louis Larres & John Kamin | Email: [email protected] | CE Certificate: https://forms.gle/jEDr1rNXH6y8EFsVA

Host Nasir F. Adil is joined by Michael Peabody, Partner, and Director of Bradford & Barthel’s Alternative Dispute Resolution Services. We begin by exploring Michael’s background in non-profit lobbying in Sacramento and his involvement with recent US Supreme Court case, Groff v. DeJoy (2:17). We then delve into a deep discussion of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), including advantages of the program and misconceptions (12:22). Michael proceeds to provide a checklist of what to do when you have an ADR case and discusses timelines, QMEs, dismissals, etc. - and don’t miss Nasir’s pro tips (20:05). We then break as always for the Comp Corner mailbag and tackle apportionment & Escobedo (36:34). Going back to the interview, Nasir & Michael discuss emerging trends in workers comp and remote exams and depositions, along with our usual look into the future of comp (40:32). We conclude, as always, with America’s favorite workers’ compensation game, ‘5 in 5’ as we break down stresses of moving, karaoke, hot dogs and Back to the Future (47:03)! … Host: Nasir F. Adil | Guest: Michael Peabody | Email: [email protected]

Host Nasir F. Adil is joined by Fariba Jafary, Equity Partner, Chief Diversity Officer, and Managing Partner of Recruitment, Hiring & Development. We start with a great story about how Fariba unexpectedly joined B&B (2:21). She then talks about her role in the firm’s growth in recent years and what one skill is critical for managers (7:05). Nasir and Fariba engage in a deeper conversation about recruitment and development, challenges in the legal industry, and training the next generation of attorneys (17:02). REMINDER, B&B is hiring (31:08)!! We break as always for the Comp Corner mailbag; this episode’s question comes from claims examiner Layla about panel requests pursuant to labor code 4060 (32:40). We then get to know Fariba better, her love of cooking, Italy, photography, and her mentors in law (35:27). We conclude, as always, with America’s favorite workers’ compensation game - ‘5 in 5’ - and we get controversial talking about carbs (43:45)….. Host: Nasir F. Adil | Guest: Fariba Jafary | Email: [email protected]

Host Nasir F. Adil is joined by John Kamin, Partner, and Director of Bradford & Barthel’s Editorial Board. They begin by examining John’s early career in journalism, including in politics and at WorkCompCentral, and how those skills translate into his role today as a workers’ compensation defense attorney (2:28). We then delve into the B&B Editorial Board as John provides an extensive recap of recent work comp case law including Zenith and the Going and Coming Rule, Vigil and the Kite doctrine, Christopher Johnson, Latrice Reed, and ‘grant for study’ cases (19:29). We break as always for the Comp Corner mailbag, a question from claims examiner Marco about the role of Information and Assistance (I&A) Officers in cases involving pro per applicants (40:17). We then get to know John better in discussing his love for music and sports and how poker and golf are just like workers’ comp (42:28). John adds some great advice about liens and shares his vision of the future of comp (55:54). Nas wraps the interview with another great round of ‘5 in 5’ (1:01:27)….. Host: Nasir F. Adil | Guest: John Kamin | Email: [email protected] | B&B Blog: https://bradfordbarthel.com/blog/

Host Nasir F. Adil is joined by Bradford & Barthel Partners, Manjit Batth & Kimberly Wagner. They begin by discussing distinctions in workers’ compensation from a defense perspective in Northern California, the Central Valley, and Southern California: nuisance value settlements, cases settling at deposition, Stipulations with Request for Award, and asbestos cases (1:53). Next, they dive into the biggest challenges in workers’ comp right now, including fraud, med-legal costs, fee schedules, and panels (15:48). There is a great story about how our guests got into workers’ comp (26:35). Nasir takes a break for the Comp Corner mailbag, a question from attorney Sean about QMEs (28:24). Back to our guests, Kimberly & Manjit talk about their achievements, their best advice, misconceptions about workers’ comp, and what the future holds (30:35). We conclude, as always, with America’s favorite workers’ comp game, ‘5 in 5’; among many interesting tidbit we discover Manjit’s connection to Hollywood (41:11) )…..Host: Nasir F. Adil | Guests: Manjit Batth & Kimberly Wagner | Email: [email protected]

Host Nasir F. Adil is joined by Bradford & Barthel alum Scott Rountree, Litigation Manager at ICW Group Insurance Companies. They delve into Scott’s triple threat background along with QME fee schedules & panels (2:31). Next is a discussion about emerging trends in Workers’ Compensation, distinctions in legal practice between Northern and Southern California, and work comp misconceptions (17:55). In Comp Corner mailbag Nasir discusses listener Jack’s question about PDAs, Permanent Disability Advances (26:14). We come back to the pod and get to know Scott even better, namely his achievements, influences, and some memorable advice (28:03). We then get into our time machine to predict the future of work comp (32:52); Nasir & Scott then relive their age-old argument, CA water rights (35:05)! We conclude with another round of ‘5 in 5’ questions, work comp’s greatest segment (36:28)…..Host: Nasir F. Adil | Guest: Scott Rountree | Email: [email protected]

Host Nasir F. Adil is joined by Managing Attorney of Bradford & Barthel’s San Jose Office, and Partner, JP Torres. They discuss how JP’s background as an applicant attorney lends perspective when working cases (1:23). They then delve into strategies to limit permanent disability at the outset of a claim; and how to stay aggressive post deposition and medical reports (13:02). Nasir takes a break for the Comp Corner mailbag, a listener question about panel QME supplemental reports and discovery (32:53). Nasir & JP resume their conversation and discuss how to mitigate exposure and settle/value cases (35:30). We conclude as always with another informative round of ‘5 in 5’ questions (48:56)….. Host: Nasir F. Adil | Guest: JP Torres | Email: [email protected]

Host Nasir F. Adil is joined by guests Tom Bradford and Don Barthel, founding partners of Bradford & Barthel, LLP, the leading workers’ compensation defense firm in California. They begin by discussing how Tom & Don met, reminiscing about the origins of the firm, and what they would do differently (3:01). Nasir then tackles the Comp Corner mailbag, a listener question about CCR 35(c) and the exchange of information (17:35). We come back to Tom & Don with a conversation about how to develop strong relationships with clients (19:23). Next we dissect the current health of the work comp industry and speculate where we are headed (24:45). Nasir then wraps up the pod with another entertaining installment of ‘5 in 5’ questions (31:41).....

Host: Nasir F. Adil ; Guests: Tom Bradford & Don Barthel ; Email: [email protected]