West News

Viewpoint: California COVID-19 Presumptions Set to Expire

California’s COVID-19 presumptions will expire on Jan. 1, 2024, which means employer-related outbreak reporting and shortened-decision timeframes are going the way of the dinosaur. The last sentence of Labor Code sections 3212.86, 3212.87, and 3212.88 says that they expire on …

Calif. Work Comp Doc, Arrested Before but Not Convicted, Charged with Insurance Fraud Again

A Northern California doctor is charged — once again — with insurance fraud for allegedly overcharging workers’ compensation insurers for services at his pain management practice. The San Francisco District Attorney’s Office charged Dr. Gary Martinovsky and his office assistant …

Wash. Supreme Ct. Overturns Law Setting 8-Year Deadline for Medical Malpractice Suits

The Washington Supreme Court ruled Thursday that a statute that bars medical malpractice lawsuits filed more than eight years after the date of injury violates the state constitution. In a 7-2 opinion, the Supreme Court answered “yes” to a certified …

Atmospheric River Soaks Pacific Northwest with Record-Breaking Rain

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — The U.S. Coast Guard rescued five people from flooded areas on Tuesday as an atmospheric river brought heavy rain, flooding and unseasonably warm temperatures to the Pacific Northwest. The conditions also closed rail links, schools and …

Calif. 2nd: Retaliation in Police Citation Quota Case May Not Be an Uninsurable ‘Willful Act’

California Labor Code section 1102.5 prohibits employers from retaliating against employees for refusing to participate in unlawful activities. That explains why, after the city of Whittier paid a $3 million settlement to six police officers who claimed they were disciplined …

Berkshire Utility Reaches $299 Million Oregon Fire Accord

Berkshire Hathaway Energy Co.’s PacifiCorp said it will pay $299 million to settle claims over wildfires that burned homes in southwest Oregon, averting another jury trial in litigation that has already exposed the utility to billions in damages. The accord, …

GM`s Cruise Robotaxi Service Faces Fine in Alleged Cover-Up of San Francisco Accident’s Severity

California regulators are alleging a San Francisco robotaxi service owned by General Motors covered up the severity of an accident involving one of its driverless cars, raising the specter they may add a fine to the recent suspension of its …

US Navy Plans to Raise Jet Plane off Hawaii Coral Reef Using Inflatable Cylinders

HONOLULU (AP) — The U.S. Navy plans to use inflatable cylinders to lift and roll a jet plane off a coral reef in Hawaii before removal from the ocean waters where the aircraft crashed on Nov. 20. Rear Adm. Kevin …

Ore. Supreme Holds Claims for Lost Money are No Exception to Statute of Repose

Oregon’s statute of repose bars any action for negligent injury filed more than 10 years after the act or omission that caused the damage, even if money is the only thing at stake, the Oregon Supreme Court ruled Tuesday. In …

Officials Begin Clearing Debris, 3 Remain Missing in Alaska Landslide that Left 3 Dead

WRANGELL, Alaska (AP) — Searchers looking for three people who remain missing after a massive landslide that killed three others and injured a fourth have changed their strategy from holding an active search to a reactive search that will involve …

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