Pacific Workers Comp Law Center - December 2019

Pacific Post Prep for the Winter and Beyond How New Laws and the Holiday Season Will Impact You December 2019

As we welcome the new year, it’s a time to focus on loved ones and all we have endured through the year, but it’s also a time to prep for the future beyond. As the holiday season progresses, it will be harder to schedule doctors’ appointments, and employment laws will be enacted that will impact our local judicial system.

SB 542: First Responders Workers’ Comp

First responders, including police officers, firefighters, and EMTs, will now be able to gain workers’ compensation for the treatment of their post- traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) due to on-the-job experiences. The first responders’ diagnosis of PTSD has to be under the most recent edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, published by the American Psychiatric Association. The bill will fully be enacted Jan. 1, 2020, and will be in effect through Jan. 1, 2025. However, a first responder will only receive these benefits after six months of service or after experiencing an extraordinary employment condition. After the employee’s term of service, they are still eligible for workers’ comp for treatment of PTSD for a period of three calendar months per full year of service. The period of eligibility will not exceed 60 calendar months under any circumstances. AB 749 voids all “no hire” agreements within settlements, effective Jan. 1, 2020. Any settlements signed on Jan. 1 and from that point forward will restrict an employee from returning to their place of work. The new bill does have some notable exceptions, however. One poignant exception is if the employer has made a good-faith determination that the employee in question has been involved with sexual harassment or assault. The law also doesn’t necessarily require the employer to rehire the employee. If the employer has a legitimate nondiscriminatory or unrelated reason not to rehire an individual, they may exercise that right. AB 749: Settlement Agreements

doctor’s offices will fill fast during December due to benefits expiring by the end of the year. Doctors will also use this time for vacations since it’s the holiday season. Try to schedule your December doctors’ appointments in the first week of November or sooner to avoid any unnecessary scheduling headaches. If you feel like these laws affect you in some way or you need assistance in finding a doctor for your injuries, call us at (833) 722-9675 or visit our website at PacificWorkers.com so we can discuss them. “AB 749 voids all ‘no hire’ agreements within settlements, effective Jan. 1, 2020. Any settlements signed on Jan. 1 and from that point forward will restrict an employee from returning to their place of work.”

Holiday Doctors’ Appointments

Whether your doctor’s appointment is time-sensitive or if it’s a regular checkup, it’s imperative to schedule it as soon as you can. In general,

– The Lawyers For Injured Workers

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How You and Y Give Back This

While Christmas is a fantastic time of year, it can be easy to become swept up by the spending season and the sheer amount of consumerism. Trying to teach your children the true

meaning of the holidays is another daunting task when they’re surrounded by the hottest items on sale. However, by focusing on the joy of family and coming together to give back to the community during this holiday season, you can show your children that Christmas is about far more than material objects. HandsOn Bay Area The HandsOn Bay Area organization is dedicated to connecting you with the right volunteering opportunities for you and your family! They have a wide range of volunteer

Royal Rinks

Curling Athletes Every Fan Should Know

Every four years, as some of the world’s best Olympic athletes battle for gold medals, the world falls in love with curling. Curling originated in 16th-century Scotland and is most popular in Canada, where many Scots immigrated. Now, 480 years after the first recorded instance of curling occurred on a frozen pond in Scotland, many devotees have left their mark on the sport’s history. These are just a few of the greats. Roy Thiessen Choosing only one devoted coach to highlight is difficult, but it must be Roy Thiessen. Roy coached championship teams — or rinks, as they are called in curling — at both provincial and national levels. His expertise led him to chair the first Saskatchewan Summer Games in 1972, the World Junior Men’s Curling Championships in 1979, and the World Ladies’ Curling Championships in 1983. Budding athletes can learn all of Roy’s secrets and the fundamentals of curling in the numerous books he wrote. Harvey Mazinke Curling Team In 1973, Canada held its collective breath as the Harvey Mazinke Curling Team took their final shot in a world championship match against Sweden. The rock ultimately failed to reach the rings, crowning Sweden as world champions and snapping the 10-0 record Harvey Mazinke had built during a week of competition. But regardless of that final score, Harvey Mazinke’s impact on the sport was not diminished. The team was crowned the Canadian Men’s Curling Champions in 1973, and the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame recognizes them as “ambassadors to the game.” Joyce McKee Curling Team Without Joyce McKee, Sylvia Fedoruk, Donna Belding, and Muriel Coben, the Canadian Ladies Curling Association Championship, now called the Scotties Tournament of Hearts, would have never become the nationally recognized organization it is today. The aforementioned women were part of the Joyce McKee rink and were the first winners of the championship in 1960. Their style, play, and knowledge propelled women’s curling into the leagues of men’s competitions, proving that women could compete at just as high of a level as their male peers. To this day, the Joyce McKee rink’s accuracy is unparalleled. If you can’t wait another two years before curling hits center stage at the Winter Olympics, check out the podcast “Curling Legends” to get your fix of curling greatness.

programs, including community outreach events, homeless assistance services, and senior care. Through their site, you can choose the program that best suits your family and learn more about the cause you’re helping! To learn more, check out HandsOnBayArea.org . Food Bank of Contra Costa & Solano As a member of Feeding America, this organization distributes food directly to low-income residents at community locations. Over Bacon-Wrap “Chestnuts roasting on an open fire” is an iconic image of Christmas, but we’re willing to bet most people reading this have never eaten a chestnut. Change that this year with this awesome paleo-friendly appetizer.

Ingredients •

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1/4 cup coconut sugar

2 8-oz cans water chestnuts

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1 lb sliced bacon, quartered

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Tamari (wheat-free soy sauce), but can substitute with coconut aminos

Directions 1. Heat an oven to 400 F. 2. Place a wire rack on a baking sheet lined with parchment and set aside. 3. Drain liquid from canned water chestnuts, add tamari to cover, and let soak for 15 minutes in the cans. 4. Drain tamari, roll each chestnut in coconut sugar, wrap with bacon, and spear on toothpick. 5. Place chestnuts on prepared rack. Bake for 30–35 minutes. 6. Plate and serve.

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ur Family Can oliday Season

Spend Time, Not Money, With Your Family During the Holidays

the course of a year, they serve over 20 million pounds of food to those who need it most. They may have plenty of food,

but they’re in great need of people to serve those meals. They have volunteer opportunities for the whole family as well. For more information, visit Volunteer.FoodBankCCS.org .

University of California San Francisco Benioff Children’s Hospital

The holidays are a time for joy, laughter, and telling your loved ones how much you cherish them. However, between picking up gifts, decorating, cooking, and making sure everything is perfect, it can be hard to make time to spend with your family, especially if you’re trying to budget for the holidays. However, there are plenty of local events to attend and charity drives to participate in with your family that won’t break your bank this holiday season. Snow Day in the Gourmet Ghetto Take a walk on the snowy side in the Gourmet Ghetto on Dec. 3! Be sure to bring your snow boots and mittens, as the snow is predicted to fall lightly on Shattuck Avenue in Berkeley. The Snow Queen will be in attendance to listen to all your children’s holiday wishes. Kids will also be able to ride ponies and make Christmas crafts! This event is totally free and runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Don’t miss this incredible outing that’s perfect for the whole family! Angel Tree Holiday Programs Using resources from businesses and individuals in our community, this organization provides a Christmas gift and a meal to every child during the holiday season. You can find our local Angel Tree at the Salvation Army on 12th Street. This organization provides gifts for children of all ages and ensures no child is left out during the holiday season. If you need to find more information, you can call them anytime at (510) 645-9710. OaklandToys for Tots Toys for Tots is a well-known charity, and Oakland is going even further with this year’s participation. With as many as 15 charities and nonprofits participating, there will be something for kids of any age. They will be passing out toys, wrapped presents, and more for children, teenagers, and even newborns. There

At the children’s hospital, donated toys, books, stuffed animals, and other items are used to help comfort and entertain children through their hospital experience. Therapists can even use them as part of a patient’s treatment plan. To make a difference for children in our area, you can shop off their Amazon wish list or donate toys. To give or get

involved, email their Oakland Child Life department.

These are just some of the ways we can give back to our community. If you’re starting to lose track of time toward the end of December, remember you have options. There will always be a Toys for Tots drop off at any Walmart so you can make a difference while getting through your day.

ed Chestnuts

are several locations to visit to ensure your loved ones have a wonderful Christmas. Dial 211 to find the location closest to you.

As difficult as the holiday season can be, there is always an opportunity to make it magical for your loved ones. For more fun holiday resources, visit www.510families.com.

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Inside This Issue

How New Laws and The Holiday Season Will Impact You

Get to Know Some of Curling’s Best Athletes

Teaching Your Kids the Meaning of the Holidays

Bacon-Wrapped Chestnuts

Holidays on a Budget

Yurts: Glamping at Its Finest

Yurt Sweet Yurt Glamping in Beautiful Locations Spruce Hole Yurt, Colorado Nestled in the San Juan Mountains about 10 miles north of New Mexico, this yurt is a snow-lover’s paradise. Skiing, snowshoeing,

The allure of the great outdoors calls to many, but pitching a tent and cooking over a fire isn’t for everyone. If that describes you, consider the yurt: a small, permanent structure often outfitted with electricity, plumbing, and other modern amenities. Expertly nestled in remote locations, they provide comforts of home in the midst of nature. Here are just a few around the United States available for rent.

and hiking trails are plentiful in this backcountry location. At the end of a chilly day, come home to comfy beds, cooking supplies, and decor made to feel like you’re camping — but with sturdy walls to keep out the cold.

Falls Brook Yurts, New York

For the glampers who truly want to get away, hike just under 1 mile into the woods of the Adirondack Mountains to discover rustic yurts beckoning you to cook over a fire or bundle up with a book. At night, the yurt’s domed skylight offers excellent stargazing. For those keen on winter activities, skiing and snowshoeing trails start right outside the front door. In the summer, enjoy hiking, fishing, and swimming.

Treebones Resort, California For those new to the glamping scene, this is a great choice for an easy transition. With picturesque

views of the Pacific Ocean, the Treebones Resort in Big Sur has an array of spaciously comfortable yurts to choose from. The resort has heated pools, a cozy lodge, and even a sushi bar. About an hour up the coastline, you can find a few shops, restaurants, and art galleries if you decide you’ve gotten your dose of nature for the day.

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