On July 15, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill (AB) 1870, which mandates that employers include information in their notices about an injured employee’s right to consult with a licensed attorney for advice about workers’ compensation law and that attorney fees may be paid as part of the injured worker’s award.
In California, employers have specific obligations to ensure their employees are well-informed about their rights and benefits under the workers’ compensation system. Employers must post a workers’ compensation informational poster in a conspicuous location frequented by employees.
Employers are required to provide new employees with a workers’ compensation pamphlet that outlines their rights and benefits. This must be done either at the time of hiring or by the end of the employee’s first pay period.
If an employee is injured, the employer must provide a Workers’ Compensation Claim Form (DWC 1) and a Notice of Potential Eligibility within one working day of learning about the injury.
AB 1870 expands these requirements to include notice of the employee’s right to consult a licensed attorney and that attorney fees may be paid from the injured worker’s award.
This requirement takes effect Jan. 1, 2025.
Laurie DeYoung is an attorney with Jackson Lewis in Los Angeles. © 2024 Jackson Lewis. All rights reserved. Reposted with permission.
An organization run by AI is not a futuristic concept. Such technology is already a part of many workplaces and will continue to shape the labor market and HR. Here's how employers and employees can successfully manage generative AI and other AI-powered systems.
Related Content
HR must always include human intelligence and oversight of AI in decision-making in hiring and firing, a legal expert said at SHRM24. She added that HR can ensure compliance by meeting the strictest AI standards, which will be in Colorado’s upcoming AI law.
The proliferation of artificial intelligence in the workplace, and the ensuing expected increase in productivity and efficiency, could help usher in the four-day workweek, some experts predict.
Learn how Marsh McLennan successfully boosts staff well-being with digital tools, improving productivity and work satisfaction for more than 20,000 employees.