Law: Worker’s Compensation

A Professional Gift to the Interpreting Community from Samuel Arcelay

25 Foundational Drills: Worker's Comp Scenarios

1. On-the-job Injury: "The applicant claims the lumbar strain was an on-the-job injury caused by lifting heavy crates." / "El solicitante alega que la distensión lumbar fue una lesión en el trabajo causada por levantar cajas pesadas."

2. Course of Employment: "The defense argues that the accident did not occur within the course of employment." / "La defensa argumenta que el accidente no ocurrió dentro del curso del empleo."

3. Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI): "Your treating physician has determined that you have reached maximum medical improvement." / "Su médico tratante ha determinado que usted ha alcanzado la mejoría médica máxima."

4. Permanent Disability Rating: "We are waiting for the QME report to establish your permanent disability rating." / "Estamos esperando el informe del QME para establecer su calificación de discapacidad permanente."

5. Temporary Total Disability (TTD): "You will receive TTD payments while you are completely unable to work during your recovery." / "Recibirá pagos de TTD mientras esté completamente incapacitado para trabajar durante su recuperación."

6. Qualified Medical Evaluator (QME): "The state will assign a Qualified Medical Evaluator to provide a neutral second opinion." / "El estado asignará un Evaluador Médico Calificado para proporcionar una segunda opinión neutral."

7. Light Duty: "Is your employer able to accommodate the light duty restrictions set by your doctor?" / "¿Su empleador puede cumplir con las restricciones de tareas livianas establecidas por su médico?"

8. Vocational Rehabilitation: "You may be eligible for a voucher for vocational rehabilitation if you cannot return to your old job." / "Usted podría ser elegible para un vale de rehabilitación vocacional si no puede regresar a su antiguo trabajo."

9. Future Medical Care: "The settlement includes a provision for future medical care related to the industrial injury." / "La liquidación incluye una disposición para atención médica futura relacionada con la lesión industrial."

10. Utilization Review (UR): "The insurance company's utilization review denied the request for the MRI." / "La revisión de utilización de la compañía de seguros denegó la solicitud para la resonancia magnética."

11. Stipulations with Request for Award: "We are filing stipulations with request for award to finalize the undisputed facts." / "Estamos presentando estipulaciones con solicitud de adjudicación para finalizar los hechos no cuestionados."

12. Cumulative Trauma: "The claim is based on cumulative trauma from years of repetitive overhead reaching." / "La reclamación se basa en un trauma acumulativo por años de alcanzar objetos por encima de la cabeza repetitivamente."

13. Compromise and Release (C&R): "By signing a Compromise and Release, you close your right to reopen the claim in the future." / "Al firmar un Compromiso y Liquidación, usted cierra su derecho a reabrir la reclamación en el futuro."

14. Apportionment: "The doctor suggests 50% apportionment to a pre-existing degenerative condition." / "El médico sugiere un prorrateo del 50% a una condición degenerativa preexistente."

15. Deposition: "The defense attorney will take your deposition to ask about your physical activities since the injury." / "El abogado defensor tomará su declaración jurada para preguntar sobre sus actividades físicas desde la lesión."

16. Independent Medical Examination (IME): "You are scheduled for an IME to resolve the dispute regarding your surgical necessity." / "Usted tiene programado un IME para resolver la disputa con respecto a su necesidad quirúrgica."

17. Fraud Investigation: "The insurance carrier has initiated a fraud investigation based on surveillance footage." / "La compañía de seguros ha iniciado una investigación de fraude basada en imágenes de vigilancia."

18. Application for Adjudication: "If your claim remains denied, we will file an Application for Adjudication of Claim." / "Si su reclamo sigue denegado, presentaremos una Solicitud de Adjudicación de Reclamo."

19. Return to Work: "The doctor has released you to return to work with no restrictions." / "El médico le ha dado el alta para regresar al trabajo sin restricciones."

20. Subjective Complaints: "The medical report lists headaches and dizziness as your primary subjective complaints." / "El informe médico enumera los dolores de cabeza y los mareos como sus principales quejas subjetivas."

21. Agreed Medical Evaluator (AME): "Both attorneys have agreed on using a specific AME for this orthopedic evaluation." / "Ambos abogados se han puesto de acuerdo en utilizar a un AME específico para esta evaluación ortopédica."

22. Panel QME: "You must select one doctor from the three names provided in this Panel QME list." / "Debe seleccionar un médico de los tres nombres proporcionados en esta lista de Panel de QME."

23. Claims Administrator: "Please direct all medical bills to the claims administrator for processing." / "Por favor, dirija todas las facturas médicas al administrador de reclamos para su procesamiento."

24. Non-Industrial: "The findings suggest that your current ailment is non-industrial in nature." / "Los hallazgos sugieren que su dolencia actual es de naturaleza no industrial."

25. Mandatory Settlement Conference (MSC): "The case is set for an MSC to see if we can resolve the issues before trial." / "El caso está programado para una MSC para ver si podemos resolver los asuntos antes del juicio."

Worker's Comp Master Glossary (Expanded)

Apportionment (Prorrateo): A determination of how much of a permanent disability is due to the industrial injury versus other factors or prior injuries.

Cumulative Trauma (Trauma Acumulativo): An injury caused by repetitive mental or physical traumatic activities over a period of time.

Compromise and Release (Compromiso y Liquidación): A type of settlement where the worker receives a lump sum and in exchange, the case is closed forever.

Deposition (Declaración Jurada): A formal session where an attorney asks an injured worker questions under oath, recorded by a court reporter.

Industrial Injury (Lesión Industrial): An injury or illness that arises out of and in the course of employment.

Maximum Medical Improvement (Mejoría Médica Máxima): The point at which an injured worker's condition has stabilized and is not expected to improve further.

Permanent Disability (Discapacidad Permanente): Any lasting disability from a work injury that causes a permanent loss of physical or mental function.

Qualified Medical Evaluator (Evaluador Médico Calificado): A physician certified by the state to conduct exams and write reports used as evidence in disputes.

Utilization Review (Revisión de Utilización): The process used by insurers to decide if a treatment requested by a doctor is medically necessary.

Vocational Voucher (Vale de Capacitación): A benefit for workers who have a permanent partial disability and cannot return to work for their employer.