THE CALIFORNIA FIRE SERVICE MAGAZINE • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024 • 11 Inland Empire (951) 276-1199 San Diego & Inland Empire which one was greater. This disparity in the law deprived families of CalFire employees of potentially hundreds of thousands of dollars in benefits. The new legislation now rectifies this disparity. 3. The COVID-19 presumption has now expired, effective January 1, 2024. Originally, the COVID-19 presumption was to expire January 1, 2023 but the sunset date was extended to January 1, 2024 by AB 1751. This doesn’t mean that COVID-19 cases are now impossible to win, but it certainly makes it more difficult. This makes it imperative that you document your work-related COVID-19 exposures from patients and co-workers, so that it can be traced back to work. 4. Although not a change to workers’ compensation law, but still important to recognize, AB 700 establishes the California Firefighter Cancer Prevention and Research Program and provides for the University of California to develop and administer a competitive grant program to conduct research related to understanding biomarkers of exposure to chemical carcinogens that are absorbed and metabolized by firefighters. While these are all positive changes, it is also important to note that more legislative changes need to be made. Permanent disability rates have not been adjusted for inflation since 2014. The utilization review system continues to deprive injured workers of medical care they desperately need. Governor Newsom vetoed AB 1213, which would have extended the ability to use temporary disability benefits if an injured worker prevailed in appealing a utilization review denial. We hope that you usher in 2024 by protecting yourself and pre-designating a physician that you trust for your workers’ compensation treatment. Linda Brown is recommended by CSFA for workers’ compensation matters. She may be reached at (415) 925-9212. MARCH/APRIL 2019 • THE CALIFORNIA FIRE SERVICE MAGAZIN Engage online with YOUR association Follow us on Twitter at @CSFAFIRE and on Instagram at csfafire. Like The California State Firefighters’ Association on Facebook Engage online with YOUR association 19 • THE CALIFORNIA FIRE SERVICE MAGAZINE • 13 Follow us on Twitter at @CSFAFIRE and on Instagram at csfafire. Like The California State Firefighters’ Association on Facebook.
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