The Internet bas been deluged with all types of workers' compensation-related websites, established by governmental entities, various publications, partisan organizations, private law firms, and even injured workers. Following is a list of free-access websites a practitioner may find helpful in addressing legal and medical issues.

Department of Industrial Relations Sites

Department of Industrial Relations: This is the home page; it is subdivided into Workers' Compensation, OSHA, Labor Law, Apprenticeship, Mediation & Conciliation, and Statistics & Research sections.

Division of Workers' Compensation: Overview of workers' compensation system; guides for injured workers; and information on "DWC Programs and Units."

Workers' Compensation Appeals Board: Decisions, Title 8 regulations, California Labor Code, and individual WCAB office information.

Committee on Health and Safety and Workers' Compensation: Videotape on workers' compen­sation basics, fact sheets for workers, study/project reports, and meeting notices.

Industrial Medical Council: Is now part of the Division of Workers' Compensation and called the DWC Medical Unit. Treatment guides, QME database, disciplined QMEs, and physician guidelines.

Division of Labor Statistics & Research: Wage information and injury/illness statistics.

Self-Insurance Plans: Identifies self ­insured employers and third-party administrators.

California State Bar Sites

California State Bar: Seminars, ethics hotline, and individual attorney statistics.

California State Bar Workers' Compensation Section: Seminar and MCLE audiotape infor­mation, CHSWC and Rand study bulletins, and updates on pro­posed legislation.

California Board of Legal Specialization: Information on August 2005 specialization exam list of Certified Specialists, and approved MCLE/ Specialization providers list.

Medical Sites

AllHealth: Layperson's guide to health issues, including forms of diagnosis and treatment, and anticipated cost of medical procedures.

American Chiropractic Association: Treatment information, health tips, health products, seminars, and legislative updates.

American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (ACOEM): Publications, education opportunities, treatment information.

eMedicine: Articles and images on various medical conditions.

Healing People: Information on alternative medicine.

Industrial Medical Council is now DWC Medical Unit (See DIR sites above.)

Mayo Clinic: Layperson's guide to health issues.

Medical Board of California: List of licensed doctors, laws and regulations, and complaint forms.

Orthoguide: Abstracts of articles on orthopedic issues.

Osteopathic Medical Board of California: List of osteopaths with license status.

RxList: Listing of drugs and their purpose, side effects, and costs (brand and generic).

Legal Research

California Law: San Diego State library site with access to California legislative codes, Constitution, and link to USC Law School state government source guide.

CalLaw: California codes and regulations, local rules of court, State Bar ethics opinions, MCLE requirements, and Judicial Council forms.

FindLaw: Cases, codes, law reviews, MCLE courses, and extensive list of miscellaneous legal links.

Internet Legal Resource Guide: List of over 4,000 law-related websites.

Federal Sites

Federal Department of Labor: Employment standards administration, extensive links section, links, and work­place posters.

Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics: National and regional statistics on occupational illnesses and injuries.

Occupational Safety & Health Administration: Safety guidelines and regulations.

Social Security Online: Official web­site for Social Security information.

Miscellaneous Workers' Compensation Organizational Sites Applicants' Attorneys Association: Applicant attorney organization; online bookstore, extensive links section; and events calendar.

California Workers’ Compensation Defense Attorneys’ Association: Defense attorney organization; seminar and legislative updates.

California Workers' Compensation Institute: Employer/self-insured organization; list of seminars and reference materials; employer and doctor forms; and publications.

California Society of Industrial Medicine and Surgery: Workers’ compensation physician organization; list of seminars, doctor forms, and referral search by specialty and location.

Primarily Educational/MCLE Related Sites Insurance Educational Association: Workers’ Compensation courses designed for adjusters, attorneys, paralegals, and doctors; also, online courses.

Versatape: Library of audiocassettes of educational programs sponsored by the State Bar and its sections.

Continuing Education of the Bar: Lists books, programs, and other products for the legal profession.

SEAK: Listing of medical/legal seminars, videos, and publications.

Publication-Related Sites

Appeals Board Reporter: Seminars, and calendar of various organizations' meetings.

Cal-OSHA Reporter: Publications; article abstracts on work safety and injury issues.

California Workers' Compensation Enquirer: List of medical articles previously published in the California Workers' Compensation Enquirer.

Insurance Journal: Magazine about the property and casualty insurance industry.

Workers' Comp Advisor: Sign-up for "flash reports" on California workers' compensation news and article abstracts.

Miscellaneous California State Sites

Contractor State License Board: Shows whether a contractor has a valid license and workers' compensation insurance.

EDD: Claim-filing information, labor market studies, employment opportunities, employer/small busi­ness section, veteran services, and forms and publications.

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