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WORKERS’ COMPENSATION DEFENSE/132 (A)/SERIOUS & WILLFUL/ASBESTOS
Samuelsen, Gonzalez, Valenzuela & Brown has been representing employers, third party claims administrators, and their insurance companies for more than forty five years, specializing in the defense of claims brought pursuant to the California Labor Code for on the job injuries and industrial diseases of all types, including asbestos claims. The firm also handles the defense of claims brought against employers under Labor Code 132(a), as well as for Serious & Willful Misconduct under Labor Code 4553.
SUBROGATION
In addition, the firm handles civil subrogation claims pursuant to Labor Code 3852, in Superior Courts of many counties throughout Southern California. Handling of subrogation claims includes coordination of the employer’s credit and reimbursement rights with defense of the underlying compensation cases, in a global approach to claims in which third party liability caused the industrial injury.
LONGSHORE AND HARBOR WORKERS’ COMPENSATION
Samuelsen, Gonzalez, Valenzuela & Brown also has a long history of involvement with maritime related claims under the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act, before the United States Department of Labor, Office of Administrative Law Judges. That practice encompasses defense of employers in compensation cases under federal Longshore & Harbor law, as well as its several extensions including the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, the Defense Base Act, and the Non Appropriated Funds Act. The firm is uniquely qualified in handling matters involving concurrent jurisdiction between federal Longshore & Harbor law and the California Labor Code, which requires intimate knowledge of the substantive and procedural intricacies of both forums and how they inter-relate. The firm’s practice also includes handling of subrogation claims under Longshore & Harbor jurisdiction, including maritime claims aboard vessels under 905(b) of the Longshore Act.
DEFENSE OF EMPLOYMENT CLAIMS AGAINST HOMEOWNERS
The firm also handles claims against homeowners and their insurance companies with respect to injury claims brought by persons performing work on the homeowner’s premises. In addition, the firm handles various civil matters for employers and insurance carriers.
AGGRESSIVE LIEN UNIT
Samuelsen, Gonzalez, Valenzuela, & Brown’s Lien Unit consists of highly skilled individuals who focus only on lien negotiation and settlement on a daily basis. Our Lien Unit prides themselves on quick resolution of all liens generally leading to closure of files within 30 to 60 days upon receipt of settlement of the case-in-chief. They are extremely well versed on the Official Medical Fee Schedule, Current Procedural Terminology codes, and how to aggressively and effectively resolve liens, resulting in extensive cost savings to our clients. Our Lien Team has also been successful in creating and maintaining strong and positive relationships with many providers, lien claimants within the Workers Compensation field which is critical in reaching early resolution.
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