How not to 'reform' workers' comp

A couple of years ago California reformed its workers' compensation law. The result: employer costs down, insurance company profits down, injured employees not receiving the care they need.

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Under the new law, services and disability payments for many injured workers were cut, opportunities for rehabilitation were trimmed, and insurance companies received more power to scrutinize and reject doctor recommendations.

That review process is at the heart of many complaints.

"Every little request is a battle, and the patient is worse for the wear," said Dr. Paul Slosar, a spine surgeon and associate director of a Daly City medical group specializing in back injuries. "The delays are 10 times worse than anything I was dealing with three or four years ago because everything is being challenged."

Mary Stone of Yorba Linda agrees. The former assistant principal at Anaheim's Western High School was assaulted and seriously injured while working late in her office in 2003.

Stone blames the new system for denying her the care her doctor recommended. As a result, she said, she was forced to give up her career.

She waited more than a year to get approval for surgery on her right shoulder. After the operation and the denial of a request for postoperative physical therapy, her shoulder locked in its socket. Unable to return to work, she lost her job.

"I'm more disabled than the day I left work," Stone said.