Workers’ Comp

As an attorney who represents injured workers in workers’ compensation cases, I am outraged by the vicious and irresponsible attack by state Sen. Bill Leonard on Lloyd Rowe, president of the California Applicants’ Attorneys Assn. (letter, Feb. 10).

Leonard falsely accuses Rowe of objecting to lawsuits against “medical mills,” which generate fraudulent workers’ compensation claims. Rowe made no such objection. Rowe did object to civil suits against employees, because, as he noted, “Insurance companies or employees can afford to pour untold dollars into these cases, but few individuals can come up with that kind of money.” However, Rowe emphasized, if employees commit fraud, they should be prosecuted for their crimes.

Leonard also states that Rowe’s clients are these “medical mills.” This is absolutely false. Rowe has represented no one but injured workers for the past 15 years. His honesty and integrity are beyond dispute. For Leonard to imply that Rowe endorses fraud or that he represents “medical mills” is an unwarranted and unprovoked personal attack.

There are serious differences of opinion about the role of workers’ compensation in the economy of California. Any honest discussion of these issues would show how the proposal of Leonard and his supporters simply drives down the standard of living of employees throughout California. I assume that if Leonard felt more secure in his position, he would not feel compelled to defend it by personal smears against his critics.

MERLE RABINE

Santa Ana