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Calif. court upholds dismissal of worker’s fraud suit under comp exclusivity rule - Business Insurance Skip to content Register for free Search Search Log In Risk Management Cyber Risks Pricing Trends Mergers & Acquisitions Technology Sponsored Content WSIA RISKWORLD Workers Comp & Safety Workers Comp Cost Control Pain Management Workplace Safety International EMEA Asia-Pacific Latin America People Events BI Intelligence Top 100 Agents & Brokers Best Places to Work 2025 Lists Directories Insurance Pricing BI Stock Index Magazine Current Issue Past Issues Subscribe Women to Watch ALL INsurance Resources Risk Perspectives Sponsored Content Webinars White Papers Risk Management Cyber Risks Pricing Trends Mergers & Acquisitions Technology Sponsored Content WSIA RISKWORLD Workers Comp & Safety Workers Comp Cost Control Pain Management Workplace Safety International EMEA Asia-Pacific Latin America People Events BI Intelligence Top 100 Agents & Brokers Best Places to Work 2025 Lists Directories Insurance Pricing BI Stock Index Magazine Current Issue Past Issues Subscribe Women to Watch ALL INsurance Resources Risk Perspectives Sponsored Content Webinars White Papers Risk Management Cyber Risks Pricing Trends Mergers & Acquisitions Technology Sponsored Content WSIA RISKWORLD Workers Comp & Safety Workers Comp Cost Control Pain Management Workplace Safety International EMEA Asia-Pacific Latin America People Events BI Intelligence Top 100 Agents & Brokers Best Places to Work 2025 Lists Directories Insurance Pricing BI Stock Index Magazine Current Issue Past Issues Subscribe Women to Watch ALL INsurance Resources Risk Perspectives Sponsored Content Webinars White Papers Risk Management Cyber Risks Pricing Trends Mergers & Acquisitions Technology Sponsored Content WSIA RISKWORLD Workers Comp & Safety Workers Comp Cost Control Pain Management Workplace Safety International EMEA Asia-Pacific Latin America People Events BI Intelligence Top 100 Agents & Brokers Best Places to Work 2025 Lists Directories Insurance Pricing BI Stock Index Magazine Current Issue Past Issues Subscribe Women to Watch ALL INsurance Resources Risk Perspectives Sponsored Content Webinars White Papers Calif. court upholds dismissal of worker’s fraud suit under comp exclusivity rule by Louise Esola Workers Comp Coverage , Workplace Safety Apr 22, 2026 A California appellate court on Monday affirmed the dismissal of a lawsuit brought by an emergency medical technician who alleged a claims administrator, adjuster and physician conspired to deny her workers compensation benefits, holding that the claims are barred by the state’s workers compensation exclusivity doctrine. In Davis v. CorVel Corp . , the California Court of Appeal, Fourth Appellate District, Division One ruled that the plaintiff’s fraud and unfair competition claims arose from conduct within the normal workers compensation claims process and therefore fall within the exclusive remedy provisions of the California Workers’ Compensation Act. The plaintiff, Brianna Davis, alleged she suffered workplace injuries while employed as an EMT and later experienced additional harm after being returned to full duty. She claimed CorVel, a claims administrator, and an adjuster pressured a physician to issue false medical reports stating she was not disabled, enabling denial of benefits. She further alleged that multiple physicians were influenced to minimize her condition or withhold information, resulting in denial of treatment and disability payments, and asserted causes of action including fraud, unfair competition and alleged racketeering activity. A trial court sustained defendants’ demurrers without leave to amend, finding the claims preempted by the workers compensation system. Affirming, the appellate court said the alleged conduct — including preparation of medical reports and decisions regarding treatment and disability status — is a “normal part of the workers’ compensation claims process.” The court rejected arguments that alleged fraud or conspiracy removed the case from the exclusivity bar, emphasizing that disputes over benefit denial, even if characterized as tortious, must be addressed within the workers compensation system. It also found that the physician’s role did not create an exception under a dual-capacity theory because the alleged wrongdoing related solely to evaluation of the compensation claim, not independent medical malpractice. Because the claims were derivative of the workplace injury and arose from the claims-handling process, the court concluded they were subject to the compensation bargain and could not proceed in civil court. Related News Ascot hires former CRC exec as chief underwriting officer April 22, 2026 Beazley shareholders approve Zurich’s $10.9 billion takeover April 22, 2026 Alliant announces leadership appointments April 22, 2026 Chubb profit jumps; company curbs property business April 22, 2026 Australia’s insured losses surge 727% April 22, 2026 Lloyd’s posts $7B underwriting profit April 22, 2026 Abu Dhabi National Insurance secures GIFT City reinsurance license April 22, 2026 Singapore Re’s net income drops 14% April 22, 2026 Route-by-route underwriting emerges for conflict-zone flights April 22, 2026 Facebook-f X-twitter Linkedin-in Business Insurance is a singular, authoritative news and information source for executives focused upon risk management, risk transfer and risk financing. 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