(a) Every physician as defined in Section 3209.3 who attends any injured employee shall file a complete report of that occupational injury or occupational illness in a manner prescribed by the administrative director of the Division of Workers’ Compensation. The report shall include a diagnosis, the injured employee’s description of how the injury or illness occurred, any treatment rendered at the time of the examination, any work restrictions resulting from the injury or illness, a treatment plan, and other content as prescribed by the administrative director. The form shall be filed electronically with the Division of Workers’ Compensation and the employer, or if insured, with the employer’s insurer, within five days of the initial examination. If the treatment is for pesticide poisoning or a condition suspected to be pesticide poisoning, the physician shall also, within 24 hours of the initial examination, file a complete report with the local health officer by facsimile transmission or other means. If the treatment is for pesticide poisoning or a condition suspected to be pesticide poisoning, the physician shall not be compensated for the initial diagnosis and treatment unless the report is filed with the Division of Workers’ Compensation, the employer, or if insured, with the employer’s insurer, and includes or is accompanied by a signed affidavit which certifies that a copy of the report was filed with the local health officer pursuant to this section.
(b) As used in this section, “occupational illness” means any abnormal condition or disorder caused by exposure to environmental factors associated with employment, including acute and chronic illnesses or diseases which may be caused by inhalation, absorption, ingestion, or direct contact.
(Amended by Stats. 2016, Ch. 868, Sec. 13. (SB 1160) Effective January 1, 2017.)
Last modified: October 25, 2018