Lawyers' Money, Expertise behind Injured Workers' Group, Says Workers' Comp Executive Newsletter.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- VotersInjuredatWork.org portrays itself as an independent, grassroots advocacy group for employees who are hurt on the job. In reality, it was created with money supplied by the California Applicants' Attorneys Association, uses the VIAW web site to solicit CAAA business and is run day-to-day by a top, CAAA-linked consultant, according to a report in the Feb. 2 issue of the Workers' Comp Executive newsletter.

One insurance industry expert described the VIAW to the Workers' Comp Executive as a "con job on the media and Legislature pure and simple." Another said it represented a public relations attack on Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and earlier, industry-backed legislation to improve California's workers compensation insurance system.

It was the consultant, Peggy Sugarman, who actually came up with the idea, VIAW's president told the newsletter. Sugarman has longstanding ties to the CAAA and has received money as a consultant from CAAA for at least 5 years, according to industry lobbyists. VIAW's official paperwork filed with the Secretary of State's office came from the San Leandro law firm of Remcho, Johansen & Purcell, which handles major cases involving the state Democratic Party, Democratic politicians and allied interest groups.

The VIAW was formed on Jan. 19, amid workers' protests outside 18 regional offices of the Workers Compensation Appeals Board - demonstrations that VIAW suggested were largely spontaneous but which were actually organized well in advance.

The full story is available at http://www.wcexec.com, the Web site of the Workers' Comp Executive, the newsletter that provides comprehensive coverage of California's workers compensation insurance industry.

For comment or additional details, call J. Dale Debber, Publisher, at 916-501-0643.

Providence Publications LLC publishes the Workers' Comp Executive, the Cal-OSHA Reporter and the Appeals Board Reporter newsletters.