Welcome to the Law Office of William R. Orr

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The purpose of this website is to provide information of a general nature, not legal or other advice. The website is not a substitute for consultation with an attorney licensed to practice law in the State of California or any other jurisdiction or for consultation with reputable and licensed legal professionals. Communication through the Internet shall not constitute a "presence," "doing business" or the practice of law in any place other than California. The materials on this website are intended solely for information. The information contained in the website is believed to be accurate, but no warranty is made as to accuracy or appropriateness. Please note that although we strive to keep information current, it may become outdated or incomplete. Use of this site does not establish an attorney-client relationship. Contact by email or telephone does not establish an attorney-client relationship. Unless and until a fee agreement/fee disclosure as required by the State of California is signed by both the client and The Law Offices of William R. Orr, there is no formal attorney-client relationship and the firm cannot reasonably be expected to undertake legal work on behalf of the client. The firm reserves the right to change the disclaimer or other terms and policies. Any use of materials contained within is prohibited without written consent of the authors.

This site complies with Business and Professions Code §6157-6159 (Advertising of Legal Services via Electronic Media).

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The information you obtain at this site is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. You should consult an attorney for advice regarding your individual situation. We invite you to contact us and welcome your calls, letters and electronic mail. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship. Please do not send any confidential information to us until such time as an attorney-client relationship has been established.

It is against the law of the State of California to discriminate against an injured worker in any manner. Any discrimination based upon the filing of a workers compensation claim should result in a Petition for Benefits pursuant to Labor Code Section 132(a). Specifically, if your employment was terminated due to a workers’ compensation claim you filed your former employer may be liable for additional benefits owed based upon their termination of your employment.

Filing a false or fraudulent workers’ compensation claim is a felony subject to up to 5 years in prison or fine of up to $50,000 or double the value of the fraud, whichever is greater, or by both imprisonment & fine. Insurance Code section 1871.4 provides that it is a felony to make or cause to be made any knowingly false or fraudulent material statement or material representation for the purpose of obtaining or denying any compensation, as defined in section 3207 of the Labor Code, or present or cause to be presented any knowingly false or fraudulent written or oral material statement in support of, or in opposition to, any claim for compensation for the purpose if obtaining for denying any compensation, as defined in section 3207 of the Labor Code. It is also a crime to knowingly assist, abet, conspire with or solicit any person in an unlawful act of workers compensation insurance fraud.

It is also a crime to make or cause to be made a knowingly false or fraudulent statement with regard to entitlement to benefits with the intent to discourage an injured worker from claiming benefits or pursuing a claim.

Workers’ Compensation fraud can increase the costs of doing business and can result in decreases (or no increases) in employee salaries, laying off employees or even going out of business. Workers compensation fraud can also increase health care and the costs of insurance for all Californians.

If you would like to obtain more information about the issue of workers’ compensation fraud, or would like to report an occurrence of workers compensation fraud, please access the Fraud Division’s Website at http://www.insurance.ca.gov/0300-fraud/ to obtain more information and locate the telephone number for the Fraud Division office nearest to you.