DENNIS K. THOMAS, ESQ.

Relevant Experience From Both Sides Of The Issue

Dennis Thomas worked for several years as a Representative for insurance companies at Workers' Compensation Hearings at various state offices. After becoming an attorney, Dennis decided to use this experience to fight for the rights of injured workers. Because our attorneys know both sides of the issues, they are uniquely prepared to handle California Workers' Compensation cases.

With over a quarter century of experience in the Workers' Compensation arena, Dennis Thomas knows what it takes to prepare a successful claim. Many cases are resolved via settlements, but our attorneys are prepared to go to trial to fight for our clients' benefits and rights.

I have been involved with Workers' Compensation cases since 1991. The first 5 years I worked for insurance companies. In 1996 I started working for injured workers. In 1997 I started the Law Offices of Dennis K. Thomas. Over the years I also worked for 2 other firms only representing injured workers and plaintiffs. In 2012, I left larger firms to start a boutique law office dedicated solely to assisting injured workers.

I am also a member of the California Applicants' Attorneys Association (CAAA) and am presently on the Board of Directors for CAAA. I am also the past Co-Chair of the Orange County Bar Association, Workers' Compensation Section for the years 2005 through 2007.

To arrange a free initial consultation with an experienced Workers' Compensation attorney, call us at 714-843-1110 or Contact us online.

Education

Western State University College of Law, Fullerton, California

J.D.
Honors: American Jurisprudence 3 Classes

Ambassador College, Pasadena, California

B.S.
Major: Business Administration

Published Cases

OHIO NATIONAL LIFE INS. v. W.C.A.B. (COOK) (WD) (2006)
ICW Group/Explorer Insurance Company v. W.C.A.B (Ulloa) (WD), 70 Cal.Comp.Cases 1176 2005 Cal.Wrk. Comp. LEXIS 2 (2005)
Brad Gifford v. WCAB, 64 Cal.Comp.Cases 962 1999 Cal.Wrk.Comp. LEXIS5542 (1999)

Classes/Seminars

Independent Medical Review, CAAA
Utilization Review & MTUs In California, CAAA

2017 — CAAA 2017 HAWAII SEMINAR

Panelist - Finding & Proving your SIBTF case / SIBTF - Credit and Offset issues: What's the case worth / Successful Settlement Strategies for the Larger Case LC 4662(b) - Proving Permanent and Total disability

2016 — WorkCompCentral Comp Laude 2016

Pitching The Deal. Panelist discussion on resolving high-loss cases.

2016 — PHPA PLAYER REPRESENTATIVES MEETING

Senior Advisor to the National Football League Players Association (NFLPA), Richard Berthelsen moderated a panel of PHPA Workers’ Compensation Attorneys including Jim Aven, Ben Boscolo, Gerry Herz, Dennis Thomas, and Bert Villarini, as well as NFLPA General CounselTom DePaso and NFLPA Associate Counsel Ned Ehrlich. Panel members helped educate all players about the Workers' Compensation process for professional athletes and the importance of reporting and documenting injuries when they occur.

2015 — CAAA JANUARY CONVENTION

Obtaining a Medical Evaluation for an Injured Worker...Post SB 863

Speaker at the semi-annual CAAA Convention regarding how the recent legislative changes in SB863 effect a Workers’ Compensation attorney’s practice with qualified medical examinations (AME, PQME, or QME) and other medical-legal issues.

2014 — CAAA Annual Convention

UR / IMR UPDATE - Moderated a panel of speakers at the summer CAAA Convention regarding how the recent legal changes and requirements effect injured workers in our efforts to obtain medical treatment for injured workers. The topics included how to limit the treatment denials issued by utilization review (UR) and independent medical review (IMR)

2014 — ASSOCIATION OF WORKERS’ COMPENSATION PROFESSIONALS

Panelist for the Southern California Section. The AWCP is a large group of Workers’ Compensation professionals including Claims Managers, Claims Examiners, Attorneys, Nurses, Risk Managers, and Human Resources Managers.

2014 — LAWWORM SEMINARS, LONG BEACH, CALIFORNIA

Panelist for a midyear Case Law Review—Dealing with Dubon. The Dubon case was an important decision from the trial level to the District Court of Appeal ruling on injured workers’ rights within the Utilization Review and Expedited Hearings processes.

2013 — CALIFORNIA WORKERS’ COMPENSATION & RISK CONFERENCE

Panelist for the legal workshop for Attorneys and Claims Examiners.

2011 — CALIFORNIA STATE BAR MCLE CONVENTION

Panelist discussing how to obtain medical treatment for injured workers within the Medical Treatment Utilization Schedule. Panelist with William McCormick, partner at Wall, McCormick, Baroldi & Dugan, a law firm providing Workers’ Compensation defense for employers, third-party administrators and insurance companies.

MEMBERSHIPS

CALIFORNIA APPLICANT’S ATTORNEYS ASSOCATION (CAAA)

BOARD OF DIRECTORS
(2003 TO 2009 and 2010 to present)

CHAPTER PRESIDENT FOR ORANGE COUNTY CHAPTER
FORMERLY, VICE PRESIDENT, SECRETARY & TREASURER
2003-2012

Member since 2000

CALIFORNIA STATE BAR ASSOCIATION

Member since 1998

ORANGE COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION

CO-CHAIRMAN, WORKERS’ COMPENSATION SECTION (2005, 2006, & 2007)

Member since 2003

WORK INJURY LAW & ADVOCACY GROUP (WILG)

WILG is the national non-profit membership organization dedicated to representing the interests of millions of workers and their families who, each year, suffer the consequences of work-related injuries or occupational illnesses and who need expert legal assistance to obtain medical care and other relief under workers’ compensation programs. WILG is a network of like-minded advocates for workers’ rights, sharing information and knowledge, a sense of commitment and kinship, and networking to help each other and our clients.

Member since 2012

Relevant Experience From Both Sides Of The Issue

Areas of Practice

Litigation Percentage

Bar Admissions

Education

Presentations

MEMBERSHIPS