Interpreter.Law

11/07/2020

If you Translate a Deposition, make a copy of the Deposition signature page. It will make it easier to substantiate that you did the work. If the Applicant does not sign the Deposition, what was the need to make sure he understands? If you can prove you did the work, we can bring your overdue money home.

11/05/2020

We want you to receive the money you deserve from WCAB services that you invoice. If you do not send a Proof of Service with your Invoice each time, you are killing your business. If you need help creating a POS template to use, please contact our office.

Once you have Proofs of Service on your existing Invoices, we can recover your 5811 services for you at no cost. Please call for details.

10/28/2020

Is a written proof of service necessary with your Invoice? Only if you want to collect on your 5811 Invoice later at the WCAB. You have to establish that the Defendant received the Invoice 60 days prior to filing a 5811 Petition. If you have 3 POS from prior mailings, that is simple. Review Rule 10545(e)(1) for guidance.

10/25/2020

Language Service Companies are entitled to the higher of their substantiated Market Rate or the Superior Court Rate (non-treatment) in the County the work occurred. Are you allowing Black-Box Bill Review decisions to ignore your Market Rate, or just cheating yourself by under-billing in the first place? Do not be a Carrier door mat. If you are not getting what you legally deserve under Rule 9795(b), we should have a Free Conversation to discuss implementing your solution. Interpreter Lives Matter.

10/18/2020

SCIF sent one of my Clients a letter in July 2009, stating that they would recognize $165 as the Market Rate for WCAB Interpreter Services. Mind you, this 11 year old letter was NOT an arms-length negotiated agreement. SCIF still references this letter as a “Market Rate Agreement” when responding to my 5811 Petitions, and I am actually very excited. The SCIF Explanation of Review pays $165 based upon “the OMFS,” but nothing more.

The LA County Superior Court Rate is $266, and my Client’s Market Rate is $275, so SCIF is apparently not reading the same regulations (Rule 9795.3) that we are. If you are running into the same Carrier payment nonsense, we can help you. We do not want your money, because SCIF has already agreed to pay OUR Market Rate to clean up their mistakes for you. I just need your permission to collect your outstanding 5811 services at no charge to you. Please reach out to us to see if you qualify.

10/09/2020

WCAB Board Rule 9795.3(b) provides that Interpreter Fees for Cost Services (Appearances/Depos/Settlement Translations) should be reimbursed at the County Superior Court rate or Market Rate, whichever is higher. If you are still seeing reimbursement checks for $165 or less for 5811 services, we can probably clean up your problems at no charge.

09/27/2020

A D/A Law Partner recently threatened me with Sanctions for collecting an Interpreter Invoice. His Carrier had a $165 Order for 5811 Costs, but preferred to pay $90 instead. He was angry that I was seeking the balance of the Order before his case-in-chief had resolved. This Partner in a large Firm did not know the difference between a 5811 Order and a Lien, and tried to intimidate me. That legal position cost his Client a 25% Penalty, and a decent sum in Attorney Fees. We can protect you from these bullies who want to starve you out.

08/29/2020

Join your colleagues in protecting your profession.

The Coalition of Practicing Translators & Interpreters of Cal… Lorena Ortiz Schneider needs your support for Support the Autonomy of Interpreters & Translators