stories by Mary Fricker

Litigation is up, even though lawyers can't do much to boost benefits - they just help workers get through the system.Story More than 5,000 claims at SR appeals board Wisconsin keeps tabs on system Seriously injured can turn to highly specialized attorneys Man bitten by dog, stung by insurer Bruce Lamell, 51, was working as an appliance repairman when he walked into a laundry room in a San Rafael apartment complex to repair the washers and dryers and a dog bit him. Lifetime disability pension: $44.52 a week James D. Reuss was a 52-year-old mechanic at the Simonson Lumber Mill in Smith River when on Oct. 29, 1969, there was a terrible accident. Rand, Berkeley studies find dubious benefits When California workers are permanently disabled from a job injury, they will lose 60 percent of their income for at least five years and they will have great difficulty with workers comp. ©1997 The Press Democrat