Comp Corner

Host Nasir F. Adil is joined by John Kamin, Partner, Director of Bradford & Barthel’s Editorial Board, and three-time Comp Corner returning champion to discuss modified work offers. They begin by discussing the five most important parts of modified work offers and best practices for good faith offers (4:10). They delve into questions that adjusters and employers deal with every day: what happens when an employee refuses modified work (11:00); what if the job is at another location (15:03); what does ‘no driving’ really mean (16:20); what if the employee claims their supervisor is not following work restrictions (23:10); what if a good faith offer is not compatible with the employee’s trade (24:55); and what if the employee claims the modified work offer caused an aggravation or entire new injury (29:45). We conclude by getting to know John’s work comp tendencies and preferences in another round of ‘5 in 5’ (33:35)…

Host: Nasir F. Adil | Guests: John Kamin | Email: [email protected] | B&B Blog: https://bradfordbarthel.com/blog/ | CE Certificate: https://forms.gle/jEDr1rNXH6y8EFsVA

Host Nasir F. Adil is joined by Tahmeena Ahmed, Equity Partner, Chief Marketing Officer and Executive Managing Partner of Client Relations at Bradford & Barthel. They begin with an overview of Tahmeena’s notable career journey, culminating in nearly 29 years at B&B (2:15). They discuss the critical part of her current responsibilities managing client relations (7:25). Next, they cover a series of topics including career advice, challenges in the workers’ compensation industry, and Tahmeena’s proudest achievements and influences (21:03). We conclude with another round of America’s favorite workers comp segment: 5 in 5; Nasir and Tahmeena talk pho, coffee, random skills, and TV legal dramas (30:16)….

Host: Nasir F. Adil | Guest: Tahmeena Ahmed | Email: [email protected] | This episode does not qualify for CE credit

Host Nasir F. Adil is joined by Ratings Specialists David Roman and Alexandra Sadek of Bradford & Barthel’s AMA Guides Analysis & Rating Department. The conversation naturally starts by exploring where Alex and David start when working on a rating (2:41). They discuss the most common errors in reports and which injuries are given incorrect impairment by doctors (7:25). To be fair, they then discuss how often doctors correctly state the whole person impairment and what are the most complicated types of injuries to rate (19:05). Coming back from the break, we learn about Alex and David’s respective career paths (29:58). We delve back into reports by discussing how often doctors apply legal theories like Kite, Vigil, and Almaraz/Guzman to impairment opinions and what are the latest trends (37:23). Nasir concludes by exploring our guests' favorite types of injury to rate and what they would change about the 2005 Ratings Schedule (47:34)…

Host: Nasir F. Adil | Guests: David Roman and Alexandra Sadek | Email: [email protected] | Rating Request: [email protected] | CE Certificate: https://forms.gle/jEDr1rNXH6y8EFsVA

Host Nasir F. Adil is joined by Partner and Managing Attorney of Bradford & Barthel’s San Jose Office, JP Torres, to discuss settlements. They start with the easiest option, settling without medical reports or minimal medicals (2:00). Next, they tackle settlements based on a primary treating physician (PTP) report, including PR-2 and PR-4 (8:30). They follow with settlements based on medical legal reports where the applicant is Permanent and Stationary (P&S) (16:00). Nasir and JP conclude with a deep dive on how to draft a Compromise and Release (C&R), including the importance of listing body parts, the numbers on page 5, and properly addressing liens (30:30)…

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

Host Nasir F. Adil is joined by Amir F. Adil, Equity Partner, big brother, and Managing Partner of Business Research, Development and Sustainability at Bradford & Barthel. The conversation begins around the underlying issues of the ADR medical legal QME process, what the hurdles are and where they originate (1:34). They examine the role of the ombudsperson (20:00); document production responsibilities (24:26); and the benefits of ADR files (29:44). Nasir and Amir conclude with additional practice tips for the workers compensation community (31:44) …

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

Host Nasir F. Adil, Equity Partner and Managing Attorney at Bradford & Barthel, is joined by Patrick Gorman, a distinguished Applicant’s Attorney based in Northern California. Patrick starts by discussing the hardest and easiest parts of being an AA, what he enjoys the most about his job, and how his experience as a defense attorney shapes his current perspective as an AA (2:02). They shift focus to the injured worker and discuss misconceptions and why they seek representation (19:10). Nasir gets to know Patrick better by delving into his one-of-a-kind career arc (26:17). As always, we take a break for the Comp Corner Mailbag and tackle modified work offers (36:30). Going back to the interview, Patrick talks about the lack of treatment in Northern California, challenges facing workers’ compensation and emerging trends (39:29). We conclude with another round of America’s favorite work comp game: 5 in 5; Nasir and Patrick trade movie quotes, favorite excuses, and life changing advice (1:00:49)…

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

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]