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Monday, July 18, 2016

DePaolo, WorkCompCentral's Founder, Dead at 56

  • State: California
  • Topic: Top
  • - Popular with: Legal
  • -  2 shares

David DePaolo, founder, president and chief executive officer of WorkCompCentral, died on Sunday. He was 56.

Dave DePaolo

Dave DePaolo

DePaolo was riding his motorcycle — a Honda 250 that he had nicknamed "The Sewing Machine" — in the Santa Monica Mountains near Malibu Hills, California, on Sunday afternoon. He veered right into shoulder of Yerba Buena Road, hitting a dirt embankment shortly after 4 p.m., according to a report in the Ventura County Star.

The cause of the accident and DePaolo's death was still under investigation Monday.

DePaolo obtained a Juris Doctor from Pepperdine University School of Law in 1984, a Masters in Business Administration from California Lutheran University in 1997 and a Bachelor of Arts in English from San Diego State University in 1981. He practiced as a workers' compensation defense attorney for Miller & Folse, Adelson Testan Brundo & Popalardo, and as a sole practitioner, before founding WorkCompCentral in 1999.

DePaolo is survived by his wife, Anne; daughter, Nichole; and son, Anthony.

Funeral services had not been arranged as of Monday afternoon, a company official said.

45 Comments (One Reply)

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Myrle Petty Jul 18, 2016 a 7:07 pm PDT

I'm shocked and saddened to hear of his passing. My thoughts, prayers and condolences go out to his wife, children, and all the "family" at WorkCompCentral. Such a tragic loss to the entire workers' compensation community.

Tom Lynch Jul 18, 2016 a 9:07 pm PDT

What a tremendous loss. So vibrant a human being. So young. Smart, creative, open, humble, so many superlatives to describe one of the really good ones.

We send heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and colleagues.

Mark Walls Jul 18, 2016 a 9:07 pm PDT

Dave was a good friend and an incredible advocate for improving the workers' compensation system. His CompLaude awards sought to highlight the positive aspects of our business and it is an incredible legacy. Dave will be greatly missed by everyone privileged enough to know him. God bless you Dave.

Brian Allen Jul 18, 2016 a 9:07 pm PDT

Our hearts go out to Dave's family and to our friends at Work Comp Central. You will be in our thoughts and prayers. Dave truly championed for what he believed was right and was a great voice for the workers' compensation systems around the country. He will be sorely missed.

Hon. Janet Coulter Nov 3, 2016 a 2:58 pm PDT

What a tragic loss. I am so sorry to hear this and my heart goes out to his family both at home and at WorkComp Central. What an incredible loss to the entire Workers' Comp community. Dave provided much needed information and knowledge to the entire community and was loved and respected by all who knew him.

My thoughts and prayers go out to his entire family!

Christine Baker Nov 3, 2016 a 2:58 pm PDT

My most profound sympathies to David’s family at this time. The workers’ compensation world has lost a visionary and it is indeed a sad day.
Christine Baker

Cheryl Chicaul-Sanchez Nov 3, 2016 a 2:58 pm PDT

Not just a loss but a shocking loss. His insight will be sorely missed. My condolences to his family, colleagues and to all of us, really.

Rodolfo Garcia Jul 18, 2016 a 10:07 pm PDT

a great loss indeed.

condolences to his family.

Helen Patterson Jul 18, 2016 a 10:07 pm PDT

I'm so sorry - this is a tremendous loss for the whole industry. What a nice and good man.

Marjory Harris Jul 18, 2016 a 10:07 pm PDT

Such sad and terrible news. For many years I looked forward to Dave's morning posts (where he mentioned his love of riding in the hills). I met him (by phone) when he was driving around to the SoCal boards and selling his Work Comp Flow Chart. I always admired the brand he built through vision and effort. Far too young and with so much more he wanted to do to unify the disparate voices in our WC system. He saw the big picture and spoke his mind. RIP and condolences to his loved ones.

Carolyn Richard Jul 18, 2016 a 10:07 pm PDT

This is such a profound loss. David was a vibrant outspoken and leader in our Workers' Compensation industry. He will truly be missed. My heart goes out to not only his family, but also his numerous close friends in the community. I am shocked and saddened.

Carolyn Richard

Christopher Brigham Jul 18, 2016 a 10:07 pm PDT

I am so deeply saddened and shocked. Dave was one of my most cherished friends. This is a tragic loss for all of us - not only the workers' compensation community, but society. Dave was the most outstanding person I have had the privilege of knowing - vibrant, positive, visionary, and reflected integrity. Only days ago he shared with me pix of "The Sewing Machine" and how much joy that brought - now his passing. Our prayers go out to Anne and his family, both at home and WorkCompCentral. Life is so transient. There is much we can learn form how he lived each day. Dave, we will miss you so very much. Your death leaves an enormous void in our field and our hearts.

Carol Kempner Jul 18, 2016 a 10:07 pm PDT

Very sad. RIP Dave.

Dr. Jennifer Christian Nov 3, 2016 a 2:58 pm PDT

Just heard this news. What a sad shock and so hard to believe that he has disappeared from our lives so suddenly. The world needs more people like David DePaolo. Those of us who knew him personally will miss him as a person, especially his enthusiasm, energy, commitments to making things better, and his authenticity. The "system" will miss his prodigious efforts to move things in a positive direction. And of course, his family will miss him the most. Oh, my heart is sad.

Alan Gurvey, Esq. Nov 3, 2016 a 2:58 pm PDT

In these troubled times, David Depaolo was someone who could bring people together. His intellect, knowledge, sense of fairness and magnetic personality were unparalleled. I recall the day when he told me he was planning on starting a news organization for the workers compensation community. I said, "it will never work!". Boy was I wrong! He was a respected guest on my radio show, and a valued panelist at CAAA conventions. Words cannot express the profound sadness of his untimely passing. Sincere condolences to his family and friends.
Alan Gurvey

Steve Nichols Jul 18, 2016 a 11:07 pm PDT

I am truly saddened to hear the news that my good friend David DePaolo has passed away.

David was one of the most brilliant, creative informed, honest and witty individuals I have ever met.

He was passionate about workers' compensation, flying, motorcycle, life and more importantly, his family.

His passing leaves a big hole in the Workers' Compensation World.

My prayers and thoughts go out to his wife, Anne, daughter, Nichole, son, Anthony, and his extended family at WorkCompCentral.

I shall miss his insight into workers' compensation, flying and life. I shall also miss his great wit.

May we all always honor and remember what he accomplished in his personal and professional life.

Good Bye Dear Friend.

Karin Konstan Jul 18, 2016 a 11:07 pm PDT

What a tragic loss! David will be missed in our industry. I will miss his blogs! My deepest sympathies to David's family. May his memory be eternal!

Don Chambers Jul 18, 2016 a 11:07 pm PDT

Stunned by this terrible news. Such a driver, filled with life and energy, lived life with such gusto, always smiling, always telling me to buy a Bonanza! I'll miss him much. My heart goes out to Anne, his kids and family and his second family at Work Comp Central.

Praying for you all.

Julie Armstrong, Psy.D. Q Nov 3, 2016 a 2:58 pm PDT

My thoughts go out to Ann, and the Work Comp Central team. Dave was always so positive, and a unifier. He always found the third way... and his commitment to educate and inform the Workers' Compensation community was an important voice in the community. You and your ukulele will be sorely missed Dave!

Clifford Sweet Jul 18, 2016 a 11:07 pm PDT

David provided our community with energy, vision and innovation. Over the past 17 years, his creation WorkCompCentral has become an invaluable daily resource for us all. He will be missed.

Rod Coppedge Jul 19, 2016 a 12:07 am PDT

This is shocking and way too soon. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family, and to his co-workers at WorkCompCentral, and to the Workers' Compensation community which he did so much to bring together, empower, and enlighten through education and communication.

steve appell Jul 19, 2016 a 12:07 am PDT

My sincerest condolences to the family and friends of the man who individually did more to bring our community together than all the rest of us combined. RIP DAVID

Marc Win Jul 19, 2016 a 12:07 am PDT

What a tragic loss to the family and our workers' comp community. Our Prayers and Condolences to Dave's family. We will all miss him very much.

Marc Win

Anonymous Nov 21, 2016 a 6:49 pm PST

I am so very sad to read this news. My heart goes out to his family and WorkCompcentral. He was a special person and will be missed by many.

David cared about doing what was right and his CompLaud awards showed how much of a positive force he was for the entire work comp community.

He also cared about the plight of California injured workers. God bless him for all of the positive things he has done to help others.

Gary Nelson Jul 19, 2016 a 12:07 am PDT

Very sad to hear of this. We will miss you greatly in the world of workers' compensation that you worked so hard to improve. Rest in peace!

Steve Hoffman Jul 19, 2016 a 1:07 am PDT

What a tragic loss. My condolences to the DePaolo family.

Gabor Vari Jul 19, 2016 a 1:07 am PDT

I met David at the 2014 Winter CAAA Convention in Palm Springs. He was incredibly friendly and welcoming. After following his blog posts and his work through WCC, it was clear to me that he was someone who accomplished more in one day than most of us could in a week, month, or year.

What a tremendous loss to the entire WC community. My sincere condolences to Dave's family.

Sandy Blunt Jul 19, 2016 a 1:07 am PDT

I am so saddened to read this news. David was a man of passion and full of life. You could not talk with him without coming away feeling better and wanting to do better due to his convictions and personal challenges. Not just the industry but the world is better for David's presence. My prayers are with his family and friends.

Gina Magee Nov 3, 2016 a 2:58 pm PDT

The Insurance Educational Association offers our condolences to the DePaolo family and WorkCompCentral community on the loss of their loved one and leader.

David was a champion for our industry and will be missed.

Gina Magee
President and CEO
Insurance Educational Association

Artemis Emslie Jul 19, 2016 a 2:07 am PDT

Very sad. David's mission was to make workers compensation a positive experience for all the stakeholders -starting with the Injured Worker. His passion and energy will be missed. Dave- we will do our best to keep your legacy going. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.

Artemis Emslie Jul 19, 2016 a 2:07 am PDT

Very sad. David's mission was to make workers compensation a positive experience for all the stakeholders -starting with the Injured Worker. His passion and energy will be missed. Dave- we will do our best to keep your legacy going. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.

Bill Minick Jul 19, 2016 a 2:07 am PDT

David was a great man who helped us think more clearly and made us all want to do better tomorrow. He was an activist (personally, professionally and socially), an agent of change for good, an Internet and e-commerce pioneer, a committed husband and father, and an inspiration to all.

Alonzo Johnson Jul 19, 2016 a 3:07 am PDT

Very sad news. My condolences. He was a real visionary in the industry to we will truly miss. God be a strength.

John Kamin Jul 19, 2016 a 3:07 am PDT

My heart goes out to Dave's family, his wife Anne and his children, and the entire WorkCompCentral family. Dave introduced me to the world of work comp, shared his insight about work comp and life in general, and had a gift for communicating with people. That's why there are countless comments in remembrance of him.

We're all better for having Dave in our lives. He took the gigantic risk of starting up a website before legal news websites were a thing, ran with it, and made it the great success that we all enjoy today.

After learning of his passing, I found a few articles about him that I did not know about. This quote from a June 23 interview with him is particularly telling about what kind of person Dave was:

"I frankly never thought of myself as a leader, and still have difficulty with that concept. I’m just a guy that can write well (see answer to #1 above!). But if that’s my position in life, then my hope is that when I’m laid to rest, folks tell stories about challenging the limits, taking on risk, and most importantly, having faith in the human soul. Life is a perishable skill. If I can inspire people to LIVE then I’ve done my job here on earth."

Thanks Dave. You inspired us all to be better people. We will most certainly miss you.

Teri Fellman Jul 19, 2016 a 5:07 am PDT

My condolences to Dave's wife and children as well as his Work Comp Central family. Dave's energy, enthusiasm and ready smile for all he met will be sorely missed. His passing has left a huge void in the workers' compensation community.

Greg Gilbert Jul 19, 2016 a 1:07 pm PDT

His family has lost a man in his prime, who lived life to it's fullest. The industry has lost a great leader and visionary. Very sad day indeed.

James Moore Aug 1, 2016 a 9:08 am PDT

Dave was one of the best advocates for the expansion of WC knowledge that California had to offer. I first met him when WC Central was a smaller operation in the early 2000's. He grew the business into a great source of WC info nationwide.

I miss my old friend already. Condolences to his coworkers, family, and friends. Conferences will just not be same.

James J Moore

Scott Thompson Jul 18, 2016 a 7:07 pm PDT

Such a terrible tragedy.

David was a voice of reason when it came to Workers Comp issues.

He will be sorely missed.

Alex Swedlow Jul 18, 2016 a 8:07 pm PDT

A very dark, sad day.
David was an intelligent, empathic and totally original voice and presence. I will miss him as a friend and colleague. Wishing all his family and friends peace and healing memories.

Saul Allweiss Jul 18, 2016 a 8:07 pm PDT

What a horrible and tragic loss. David was a visionary in his creation of WorkCompCentral, a leader in the Workers Compensation Community and a dear dear friend.

Zachary Sacks Jul 18, 2016 a 8:07 pm PDT

What a tragedy. David was an innovator as well as a visionary. His contribution to the world of workers' compensation cannot be overstated and his early demise is a genuine loss.

Carlos A Luna Jul 18, 2016 a 8:07 pm PDT

Literally UNBELIEVABLE. David was a genuine and passionate person. It is a sad and dark day indeed.

Philip Millhollon Jul 18, 2016 a 8:07 pm PDT

I cannot believe that David has left us. I was just speaking with him the other evening at a Kid's Chance event. This is truly shocking and sad. My most sincere condolences to his family and work family.

Joe Paduda Jul 18, 2016 a 8:07 pm PDT

A shocking tragedy. So sorry for David's family and colleagues at WorkCompCentral.

Passionate, incisive, bold, open and engaging, David carved out a niche both personally and professionally that no one else could.

A person that lived life to the fullest, he leaves us all much to aspire to.

Kenneth Garcia Jul 18, 2016 a 9:07 pm PDT

Peace be with his family and the WorkCompCentral Community. I too am a biker. RIP Mr. DePaolo.

Robert Rassp, Esq. Jul 18, 2016 a 10:07 pm PDT

On Saturday, the day before he passed away, Dave D and I sat next to each other on the stage at the CCWC Conference at the Disney California Grand Hotel during a Blogger's Panel. David was an articulate, intelligent, and sensitive human being who brought reason to a controversial system. He was the go-to person on a grand scale on workers' compensation in California and nationwide. His main reminder to all of us is the fact that all of us in the workers' compensation community have to work on trust - trust between all of the participants in the system. Let's hope we can strive to meet that legacy. Robert G. Rassp, Esq.

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