Many chronic pain clinics are sort of shady. The docs charge a high price for treatment and the WC insurance companies audit the bills to keep the pain clinics from abusing the system.
As long as the patient has had adequate treatment, therapy and medication, the pain should be bearable. Many chronic pain patients need to be told to suck it up and bear it.
Try employing people in Calif. My rates for workers comp ins is staggering. No wonder the cost of building houses here is so darned high!!!! $60 per hundred payroll goes to State fund.