Season 2 Episode 7 - Craig Shoemaker- Laughter Heals
Release Date: 02/26/2021
Ep. 147 - Can I choose my own doctor in California workers’ compensation?
Work Comp Talk Podcast
Episode 147: Workers’ Comp Doctor Rules in California, Your Rights Inside the MPN System If you were injured at work in California, your employer may send you to a specific doctor, but does that mean you have no choice? In this episode of Work Comp Talk, host Carmen Ramirez and attorney Bilal Kassam explain one of the most misunderstood parts of California workers’ compensation: your right to choose and change your treating doctor. Many injured workers don’t realize that the doctor managing their care can directly affect disability benefits, work restrictions,...
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Ep. 146 - Do I Have to Report My Workers' Comp Payments on My Taxes?
Work Comp Talk Podcast
Episode 146: Are workers’ compensation settlements taxable? Think the IRS will take a big chunk of your workers’ comp settlement? Most injured workers are wrong, and you need to know the truth. Workers’ compensation is designed as a benefits system, not a paycheck. That changes everything when it comes to taxes. But there are important exceptions and financial pitfalls many people don’t realize, like back wages, child support liens, Social Security offsets, and how settlements should be structured to protect your...
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Ep. 145 - How Much Is a Serious Work Injury Worth in California?
Work Comp Talk Podcast
Episode 145: What You Need to Know About Severe Work Injuries in California If you suffered a severe work injury in California, the severity of your injury may determine how much compensation and long-term benefits you receive. Serious injuries unlock benefits that minor injuries never will. Not all work injuries are treated the same. In California workers’ compensation, serious and catastrophic injuries unlock benefits that minor injuries never will, including higher payouts, extended disability benefits, and even lifetime pensions. ...
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Ep. 144 - Do I Have to Quit My Job if I Settle My Workers’ Comp Case?
Work Comp Talk Podcast
Most injured workers in California are told they must quit their job to settle a workers’ comp case, but that’s not always true. In episode #144 of Work Comp Talk, host Carmen Ramirez breaks it down with Pacific Workers attorney Bilal Kassem so you can understand that quitting is often a negotiation tactic, not a legal requirement, and most people never realize they actually have a choice. We walk you through: Whether you legally have to quit to settle workers’ comp in California Settlements can be a...
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Ep. 143 - Why Did My Workers’ Comp Checks Stop?
Work Comp Talk Podcast
In episode #143 of Work Comp Talk, Carmen Ramirez and Bilal Kassem break down exactly why your workers’ compensation checks in California may suddenly stop, sometimes without any notice. From administrative errors to changes in work restrictions, missing medical reports, or the tricky overlap with California State Disability Insurance (SDI), we cover the real reasons behind delayed or stopped payments and how you can protect yourself. Takeaways: The common mistakes that can derail your workers’ comp case. How to spot errors before...
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Ep. 142 - What to Expect in 2026 for CA Workers’ Comp
Work Comp Talk Podcast
In Episode #142 of Work Comp Talk, host Carmen Ramirez and co-host and attorney Bilal Kassem break down what to expect in the California workers’ compensation system for 2026, what changed, what’s still a bottleneck, and what steps help shift your case from the system to help you stay in control. They cover 6 key updates for injured workers, including benefit rate changes (Temporary Disability), mileage reimbursement, medical treatment...
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Ep. 141 - How Insurance Companies Evaluate Your Case from Day One
Work Comp Talk Podcast
In episode #141 of the Work Comp Talk podcast, host Carmen Ramirez welcomes special guest Almarie Rodriguez, Director of Intake at Pacific Workers. With years of hands-on experience, Almarie explains why the first 72 hours after a work injury in California can determine your medical care, your benefits, your settlement, and your future,...
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Ep. 140 - Top 5 things your Case Manager needs you to know
Work Comp Talk Podcast
In Episode #140 of Work Comp Talk, host Carmen Ramirez welcomes special guest Gabriela Matesanz Cruz, Case Manager at Pacific Workers. They dive into the essential role of a case manager. If you’ve been injured at work, feel confused by insurance letters, are waiting on benefits, or worry that your case isn’t moving fast enough. Gabriela pulls back the curtain on what really happens behind the scenes and explains how your case is actually managed day-to-day. She shares the real factors that determine how...
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Ep. 139 - Workers’ Comp Special Webinar - Full Episode
Work Comp Talk Podcast
Episode #139 is a special release of our final and most requested webinar of the year, where Carmen Ramirez and Workers’ Compensation Attorney Bilal Qasem reveal the real strategies injured workers must understand to maximize their benefits, protect their wages and increase the long-term value of their workers’ compensation case. This is not generic advice, it’s the exact knowledge injured workers need to stop leaving money on the table, avoid costly mistakes, and take control of their claim. Takeaways: Understanding the workers'...
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Ep. 138 - Top Workers’ Comp Questions of 2025 That Can Put More Money in Your Pocket
Work Comp Talk Podcast
In this special Episode #138, we bring you clear answers to the top questions our audience has been asking about Workers’ Compensation in California. These are the real concerns injured workers are putting on the table in 2025, including mental health and work-related stress, what happens if you quit or are terminated after an injury, and how pre-existing conditions or injuries that develop over time can impact your case. Carmen Ramirez and workers’ comp attorney Bilal break down the most important insights to guide you...
info_outlineConnecting Science with Laughter is not a new thing in fact it has been scientifically proven that Laughter enhances your intake of oxygen-rich air, stimulates your heart, lungs and muscles, and increases the endorphins that are released by your brain.
In this episode, stand-up comedian, actor, author, writer, and producer Craig Shoemaker joins us to talk about his non-profit Laughter Heals. He speaks about all of the tricks and reasons an injured worker can benefit from laughing. This is one episode you will not want to miss.