In the Spotlight: Workers’ Compensation Helps Secure Your Benefits
By Vanessa Lopez
Contact is pleased to feature the talented Workers’ Compensation (WC) Office team from the Corporate Health and Safety Division as the next group featured in the “In the Spotlight” series.
About the Workers' Compensation Office
The WC Office is responsible for the administration of workers’ compensation benefits for Department employees who sustain a work-related injury or illness. The WC team supports the restoration and speedy recovery of employees injured in the course and scope of their job. The group fulfills an important role, as it is imperative that injured employees receive prompt and appropriate medical care, as well as benefits to which they are entitled pursuant to the State of California Labor Code.
These benefits can consist of medical treatment, temporary disability benefits, permanent disability benefits, supplemental job displacement benefits (SJDB) for retraining in the event an employee is unable to return to their pre-injury occupation, and death benefits to an employee’s dependents should that employee perish as a result of their job. The WC Office team works hard to ensure employees are supported throughout the workers’ compensation process and are able to return to regular employment safely.
“The most gratifying part of my job is when I get to help our injured employees navigate the daunting workers’ compensation system. I like that I am able to take the worry of ‘what happens next’ off of the employees’ plates and allow them the ability to focus on their recovery.”
Amy Temourian, Workers’ Compensation Analyst
Achievements
Recently, LADWP’s Workers’ Compensation program underwent an audit by the State of California Department of Industrial Relations, Workers’ Compensation Division, Audit and Enforcement Unit. LADWP undergoes this audit every three to five years. During the audit, the Audit and Enforcement Unit randomly selects 55 indemnity cases, or cases with paid temporary disability benefits for lost wages, from the previous three years and reviews them using five compliance factors.
LADWP received notice of the most recent audit on December 29, 2022. The audit was conducted with a record time of just 42 days, and LADWP’s Workers’ Compensation program passed with flying colors! For audits conducted in 2023, a performance rating of 1.76323 or less is needed to meet or exceed the Profile Audit Review (PAR), and LADWP received a rating of 0.41211. This rating represents a 51 percent improvement from LADWP’s 2018 passing audit score of 0.84652.
Concurrent to the PAR, the State of California Audit and Enforcement Unit also investigates the self-insured, self-administered Workers’ Compensation Utilization Review (UR) program. By law, the administrator must provide a response to the request for treatment within five days. LADWP’s Workers’ Compensation program had previously committed to a 48-hour turnaround, and it paid off. The Audit and Enforcement Unit’s investigation resulted in a perfect score of 100 percent for the UR program.
“There is never a dull moment in Workers’ Compensation. Our office works well together and I love that we can bounce ideas off one another to figure out the best way to proceed. I am also proud of all the work we put in to ensure we passed our state audit.”
Mary Anne Balleza, Senior Workers’ Compensation Analyst
Congratulations to the WC Office team! The team’s work is a strong example of hard work and commitment to those we serve, which in this case, are fellow employees. The WC team plans to continue advocating the workers’ compensation process for LADWP employees, and will strive to remain a reliable partner for those who seek assistance while navigating the workers’ compensation process.
Careers
Fulfilling career opportunities await in the WC Office, with the ability to grow and promote. Employees looking to begin a career in benefits administration should keep an eye out for Administrative Clerk or Senior Administrative Clerk positions within the WC Office.
“I began my career in a clerical position and soon realized that I enjoyed being able to help employees during difficult times, such as sustaining a work-related injury. For this reason, I continued to pursue educational and promotional opportunities to become a Workers’ Compensation Analyst. Workers’ Compensation is a technical field. It is a career where you are able to contribute to a larger purpose and every day is a challenge and an opportunity for continuous growth.”
Brenda Hernandez, Workers’ Compensation Analyst
For current, upcoming and all job opportunities at LADWP, visit www.joinladwp.com.
Team Members
The WC Office team consists of 30 members under the leadership of Corporate Health and Safety Director Dan Aeschleman.
Jeannette Maya Romo Principal Workers’ Compensation Analyst
Rebecca Calderon Management Analyst
Arlene Acosta Senior Workers’ Compensation Analyst
Isabel Gallegos Workers’ Compensation Analyst
Manuel Gomez Workers’ Compensation Analyst
Cecilia Anderson Workers’ Compensation Analyst
Kylie Landeros Workers’ Compensation Assistant
John Hayashida Senior Workers’ Compensation Analyst
Kimberly Williams Workers’ Compensation Analyst
Grace Tovar Workers’ Compensation Analyst
Amy Temourian Workers’ Compensation Analyst
Sandra Cuadras Workers’ Compensation Assistant
Carmella Boylen Senior Workers’ Compensation Analyst
Tanisha White Workers’ Compensation Analyst
Michelle Hoong Workers’ Compensation Analyst
Maggie Lopez Workers’ Compensation Analyst
Brenda Hernandez Workers’ Compensation Analyst
Sadra Williams Workers’ Compensation Assistant
Mary Anne Balleza Senior Workers’ Compensation Analyst
Ron Jaramillo Workers’ Compensation Analyst
Amy Clemons Workers’ Compensation Analyst
Karlene Tillett Workers’ Compensation Analyst
Karina Vazquez Workers’ Compensation Assistant
Maria Morales Principal Clerk Utility
Anna Castillo Senior Administrative Clerk
Vyry Herrington Senior Administrative Clerk
Ana Scott Senior Administrative Clerk
Nyla Holt Senior Administrative Clerk
Alex Zaval Senior Administrative Clerk
Shannon Gomes Administrative Clerk
Photos by Chris Corsmeier
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