WORKERS\u27 COMPENSATION. STATUTORY AMENDMENT.

Entitles workers injured “because of” their employment to receive medical treatment ordered from an unlimited number of licensed medical practitioners as chosen by the worker and without regard to the nature or location of practitioner. Eliminates need for preapproval of treatment provided that worker gives employer written notice of injury and employer does not file documents contesting liability. Eliminates employers’ right to challenge treatment, pharmaceuticals, or diagnostic evaluations. Provides for payment of services within 60 days and in accordance with established schedule of charges. Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local governments: Increased annual state and local government costs—potentially in the mid-hundreds of millions of dollars—for workers’ compensation benefits for their employees. (07-0002.