Why Your Workers' Comp Treatment Keeps Getting Delayed (2026 California Rule Changes)
Release Date: 07/07/2026
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Episode #160 - Shoulder pain after work? That “small pull” you ignored could become a serious workers’ compensation issue. If you suffered a shoulder injury at work in California, learn your rights and get a free consultation: Welcome back to WorkComp Talk. This episode is part of our series: Understanding Your Workers’ Compensation Case: Injury by Injury. In our last episode, we covered back injuries, one of the most common workplace injuries in California. Today, we continue the series with another common work-related injury: shoulder...
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Your doctor says you need treatment… but the insurance company keeps delaying it. Every week you wait, your injury could get worse. So why does this happen, and what changed in California's workers' compensation system in 2026? You don't have to navigate the California workers' compensation system alone. Click the link below to schedule your FREE consultation and get answers specific to your case In episode #158 of Work Comp Talk, host Carmen Ramirez sits down with Bilal Kassem, President of Pacific Workers and a California workers'...
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Work Comp Talk Podcast
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Ep. 152 - How Workers’ Comp Settlements Are Really Calculated
Work Comp Talk Podcast
Do you think your workers’ comp settlement is just a random number the insurance company picks? You could be leaving thousands of dollars on the table, without even knowing it. Welcome to Episode #152 of Work Comp Talk, hosted by Carmen Ramirez, with a special guest Mark Scott Thuesen, an attorney with over 17 years of experience in California Workers’ Compensation. Today we break down how settlements are really calculated, which factors matter (and which ones they’re not telling you), and why many injured workers accept less than they truly...
info_outlineYour doctor says you need treatment… but the insurance company keeps delaying it. Every week you wait, your injury could get worse. So why does this happen, and what changed in California's workers' compensation system in 2026?
You don't have to navigate the California workers' compensation system alone.
Click the link below to schedule your FREE consultation and get answers specific to your case
https://workcomptalk.net/free-case-evaluation/
In episode #158 of Work Comp Talk, host Carmen Ramirez sits down with Bilal Kassem, President of Pacific Workers and a California workers' compensation attorney, to explain the major 2026 changes affecting Utilization Review (UR), treatment approvals, Independent Medical Review (IMR), and why so many injured workers experience delays in getting the medical care they need.
You'll learn:
✔️ What changed in California Workers' Compensation in 2026
✔️ How Utilization Review (UR) actually works
✔️ Why medical treatment gets delayed or denied
✔️ How delayed treatment can permanently affect your recovery
✔️ What IMR is and when you can appeal a denied treatment request
✔️ Common mistakes injured workers make after receiving a denial
✔️ Why your doctor's reports play a critical role in treatment approval
✔️ When it may be time to speak with a workers' compensation attorney
Has your treatment ever been delayed after a work injury?
Tell us what happened below.
Our team reads every comment, and your question could be answered in a future episode of Work Comp Talk.
If you'd rather speak privately, schedule your FREE consultation using the link in the description https://workcomptalk.net/free-case-evaluation/ or call directly: 800 606 6999
Chapters:
00:00 Understanding the Workers' Comp System
11:29 Navigating Utilization Review Challenges
21:13 The Impact of Delayed Treatment on Lives
If you’ve been injured at work and you’re unsure what your case is worth… or what happens if you sign too soon, stop and get clarity first.
At Pacific Workers, we’ve helped injured workers recover over $350 million across 10,000+ cases.
Don’t guess with your settlement.
Get real answers from a legal team that understands the system.
📚 More resources:
Visit our FAQ and blog:
https://www.pacificworkers.com/blog/
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