m Court Rejects Employer's Challenge to Black Lung Award By ww3.workcompcentral.com Published On :: Fri, 20 Sep 2024 00:00:00 -0700 The U.S. 4th Circuit Court of Appeals denied an employer’s challenge to an award of black lung benefits to a longtime coal mine employee. Case: Consol of Kentucky Inc. v. Adams,… Full Article
m Senate Committee Passes Bill to Increase Provider Options for Federal Workers By ww3.workcompcentral.com Published On :: Mon, 30 Sep 2024 00:00:00 -0700 The U.S. Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee passed a bill that would authorize physician assistants and nurse practitioners to treat injured federal workers. The committee on Wednesday voted 12-3… Full Article
m Enlyte Launches Physical Medicine Network By ww3.workcompcentral.com Published On :: Fri, 11 Oct 2024 00:00:00 -0700 Enlyte on Thursday announced the launch of Apricus Physical Medicine, a network for rehabilitation services, including occupational therapy and physical therapy. Enlyte said its specialty network brand will provide injured workers… Full Article
m 9th Circuit Establishes LHWCA Compensation for Hearing Loss, Tinnitus By ww3.workcompcentral.com Published On :: Tue, 15 Oct 2024 00:00:00 -0700 A federal appellate court ruled that an injured longshoreman who has hearing loss in one ear and bilateral tinnitus is properly compensated at the statutory rate. Case: Total Terminals International LLC… Full Article
m Rail Company Owes $453,510 to Workers Fired Over Safety Concerns By ww3.workcompcentral.com Published On :: Tue, 15 Oct 2024 00:00:00 -0700 A federal judge ordered CSX Transportation Inc. to pay $453,510 to two railroad workers who were fired after raising workplace safety concerns in 2017. The judge also ordered the company to… Full Article
m Goldberg Segalla Adds Attorneys in Philadelphia, Baltimore By ww3.workcompcentral.com Published On :: Tue, 15 Oct 2024 00:00:00 -0700 Goldberg Segalla announced the addition of new attorneys to its workers' compensation defense offices in Philadelphia and Baltimore. Beteley T. Mulatu The firm added Angelina Nordeman to its work comp practice… Full Article
m NCCI: Temperature, Precipitation Linked to Frequency By ww3.workcompcentral.com Published On :: Fri, 18 Oct 2024 00:00:00 -0700 Frequency increases modestly but consistently as temperatures climb, according to a study by the National Council on Compensation Insurance. NCCI said that starting around 50 degrees, there is about a 1%… Full Article
m NCCI: Medical Inflation Softens in 3rd Quarter By ww3.workcompcentral.com Published On :: Wed, 23 Oct 2024 00:00:00 -0700 The National Council on Compensation Insurance said that after several years of ignoring broader economic patterns, medical inflation in the third quarter followed the softening trend in overall inflation. The softening… Full Article
m Supreme Court Overturns Finding of No Liability for Second Injury Fund By ww3.workcompcentral.com Published On :: Tue, 14 May 2024 00:00:00 -0700 The Iowa Supreme Court overturned a finding that the Second Injury Fund was not liable for a worker’s permanent total disability after she suffered two different leg injuries. Case: Delaney v. Full Article
m Worker Gets PTD Benefits After Symptoms Shift From Left Side of Body to Right By ww3.workcompcentral.com Published On :: Fri, 06 Sep 2024 00:00:00 -0700 The Iowa Court of Appeals upheld an award of permanent total disability benefits for a worker who experienced issues on his left side after a back injury before symptoms shifted to… Full Article
m Court Tosses Appeal of Stay Order as Moot By ww3.workcompcentral.com Published On :: Thu, 03 Oct 2024 00:00:00 -0700 The Iowa Court of Appeals dismissed an appeal from an order staying enforcement of a workers’ compensation award pending judicial review because the review process was completed. Case: H.D. Supply Management Inc. v. Full Article
m Supreme Court Suspends Attorney Who Mishandled Comp Cases By ww3.workcompcentral.com Published On :: Tue, 08 Oct 2024 00:00:00 -0700 The Iowa Supreme Court on Friday suspended the license of a Des Moines-area sole practitioner with a long history of discipline involving the mishandling of two workers’ compensation matters. The court… Full Article
m Carrier Not Contributing Assessments to Trust Fund Can Still Get Reimbursements By ww3.workcompcentral.com Published On :: Mon, 15 Jul 2024 00:00:00 -0700 The Massachusetts Appeals Court ruled that an insurance company that was not contributing any assessments to the Workers’ Compensation Trust Fund was still eligible for reimbursement for benefits paid to… Full Article
m Employers Required to Use Revised Work Comp Notice Poster in September By ww3.workcompcentral.com Published On :: Thu, 15 Aug 2024 00:00:00 -0700 The Massachusetts Department of Industrial Accidents announced that employers must use and display a revised employee notice form, starting Sept. 16. Employers are required to fill out the posters by providing… Full Article
m Report: Lawmaker Failed to Report Outside Employment While Collecting Comp By ww3.workcompcentral.com Published On :: Thu, 13 Jun 2024 00:00:00 -0700 The Connecticut Insider on Wednesday reported that a state lawmaker received more than $100,000 in workers’ compensation benefits despite having three outside sources of income that he never disclosed. Sen. Paul… Full Article
m Statute of Limitations Ends Inquiry Into Senator's Comp Claim By ww3.workcompcentral.com Published On :: Mon, 15 Jul 2024 00:00:00 -0700 The Connecticut Division of Criminal Justice said it ended an inquiry into a state senator who allegedly did not disclose that he was working while collecting workers’ compensation benefits, saying… Full Article
m Split Court Says MMI Finding Isn't Prerequisite to Receive Permanent Disability By ww3.workcompcentral.com Published On :: Wed, 07 Aug 2024 00:00:00 -0700 A finding that an injured worker is totally incapacitated does not create an entitlement to permanent disability benefits as a matter of law, a split Connecticut Supreme Court said in… Full Article
m Res Judicata Doesn't Bar Employer's Claims Against Former Comp Carrier By ww3.workcompcentral.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Aug 2024 00:00:00 -0700 The Connecticut Appellate Court ruled that the doctrine of res judicata did not bar an employer’s claims against its former comp carrier for allegedly misleading it into believing it still… Full Article
m Report: Comp Board Claims Candidate Ran Uninsured Business, Owes $52,102 By ww3.workcompcentral.com Published On :: Fri, 27 Sep 2024 00:00:00 -0700 The Hartford Courant on Thursday reported that the New York State Workers’ Compensation Board alleges a congressional candidate from Connecticut owes $52,102 in fines and penalties for allegedly operating a… Full Article
m Court Upholds Finding That City Can Offset Benefits for Former Fire Chief By ww3.workcompcentral.com Published On :: Wed, 09 Oct 2024 00:00:00 -0700 The Connecticut Appellate Court decided that a city was no longer liable for benefits to its former fire chief under a pension offset and that its appeal regarding benefits, interest and… Full Article
m No Benefits for Poultry Plant Worker's Injuries from Unexplained Fall By ww3.workcompcentral.com Published On :: Thu, 30 May 2024 00:00:00 -0700 The Virginia Court of Appeals upheld the denial of a poultry processing plant worker’s claim for injuries from an unexplained fall. Case: Gutierrez v. Perdue Farms Inc., No. 0176-23-2, 05/21/2024, unpublished. Facts:… Full Article
m WCC Commissioner Marshall Elected Chairman By ww3.workcompcentral.com Published On :: Fri, 05 Jul 2024 00:00:00 -0700 The Virginia Workers’ Compensation Commission announced that Wesley G. Marshall was elected to a three-year term as chairman, effective Monday. Wesley G. Marshall Marshall succeeds Commissioner Robert A. Rapaport, whose term… Full Article
m Firefighter's Aortic Aneurysm Constitutes Presumptively Compensable Heart Disease By ww3.workcompcentral.com Published On :: Tue, 16 Jul 2024 00:00:00 -0700 The Virginia Court of Appeals upheld a determination that a firefighter with an aortic aneurysm had presumptively occupational heart disease. Case: Hanover County v. Moore, No. 0715-23-2, 07/09/2024, unpublished. Facts: Scott Moore… Full Article
m Injured Flight Paramedic Fails to Prove Entitlement to Additional Awards By ww3.workcompcentral.com Published On :: Thu, 18 Jul 2024 00:00:00 -0700 The Virginia Court of Appeals upheld benefit awards of closed periods for an injured paramedic, finding that she failed to prove her entitlement to additional compensation. Case: Martinka v. PHI Group Inc.,… Full Article
m Worker Gets Benefits for Shoulder Injury From Slip and Fall By ww3.workcompcentral.com Published On :: Wed, 14 Aug 2024 00:00:00 -0700 The Virginia Court of Appeals upheld a finding that a worker suffered an injury to his shoulder when he slipped and fell on a patch of ice. Case: Uninsured Employer’s Fund… Full Article
m Employer Can't Relitigate Reasonableness of Worker's Mileage for Treatment By ww3.workcompcentral.com Published On :: Fri, 23 Aug 2024 00:00:00 -0700 The Virginia Court of Appeals ruled that an employer could not relitigate the reasonableness of a worker’s mileage expenses from traveling to see a chiropractor 78 miles from his home. John Edelblute… Full Article
m Court Upholds Award for Postinjury Mental Health Treatment By ww3.workcompcentral.com Published On :: Fri, 06 Sep 2024 00:00:00 -0700 The Virginia Court of Appeals upheld an award of benefits for a worker’s mental health treatment after her on-the-job injury. Case: Virginia Commonwealth University v. Miller, No. 1859-23-2, 08/20/2024, unpublished. Facts: Sabrina… Full Article
m Worker With Traumatic Brain Injury Entitled to Inpatient Residential Care By ww3.workcompcentral.com Published On :: Mon, 09 Sep 2024 00:00:00 -0700 The Virginia Court of Appeals upheld an award of inpatient residential care at an assisted living facility for a worker with a traumatic brain injury. Case: Rockingham County School Board v. Full Article
m Worker Helping Crash Victim Gets Benefits for Injuries From Being Struck by Car By ww3.workcompcentral.com Published On :: Mon, 03 Jun 2024 00:00:00 -0700 The West Virginia Intermediate Court of Appeals ruled that a worker was entitled to benefits for his injuries from being struck by a car while attempting to aid a motorist… Full Article
m No Death Benefits for Widow in Asbestos Exposure Claim By ww3.workcompcentral.com Published On :: Mon, 10 Jun 2024 00:00:00 -0700 The Intermediate Court of Appeals of West Virginia upheld the denial of benefits to a widow, finding she failed to prove that her husband's death was caused by his occupational exposure… Full Article
m Supreme Court Establishes Method for Apportioning Preexisting Impairment By ww3.workcompcentral.com Published On :: Wed, 12 Jun 2024 00:00:00 -0700 The West Virginia Supreme Court clarified the proper method for apportioning preexisting impairments that have been definitely ascertained and impact multiple body parts. Case: Logan-Mingo Area Mental Health Inc. v. Lester,… Full Article
m Supreme Court Upholds Award for Janitor Infected With Legionnaires' Disease By ww3.workcompcentral.com Published On :: Thu, 13 Jun 2024 00:00:00 -0700 The West Virginia Supreme Court upheld an award of benefits for a janitor who contracted Legionnaires’ disease. Case: Scottish Rite Bodies of Charleston v. Weese, No. 22-0427, 06/10/2024, published. Facts: Thomas W. Weese worked… Full Article
m Coal Miner Gets Increased Award Despite Improved Condition After Lung Transplant By ww3.workcompcentral.com Published On :: Fri, 14 Jun 2024 00:00:00 -0700 The West Virginia Supreme Court ruled that a former coal miner was entitled to an increased impairment award for the worsening of his occupational pneumoconiosis, even though he had undergone… Full Article
m Split Supreme Court Upholds Closure of Worker's Claim By ww3.workcompcentral.com Published On :: Wed, 17 Jul 2024 00:00:00 -0700 A divided West Virginia Supreme Court upheld the closure of a worker’s claim for temporary total disability benefits and the denial of his request to expand the scope of his… Full Article
m Worker Fails to Establish Causal Connection Between Injury, Need for Nerve Block Treatments By ww3.workcompcentral.com Published On :: Thu, 01 Aug 2024 00:00:00 -0700 The West Virginia Intermediate Court of Appeals upheld a denial of authorization for nerve block treatments for an injured worker. Case: Cooper v. Lowe’s Home Centers Inc., No. 24-ICA-55, 07/30/2024, unpublished. Facts:… Full Article
m Board Applies Wrong Compensability Standard to Asbestos Claim By ww3.workcompcentral.com Published On :: Fri, 02 Aug 2024 00:00:00 -0700 The West Virginia Intermediate Court of Appeals ruled that the Workers’ Compensation Board of Review erred in applying the standard of compensability for occupational pneumoconiosis to a widow’s claim for… Full Article
m No Additional Treatment, Benefits for Injured Mine Worker By ww3.workcompcentral.com Published On :: Mon, 05 Aug 2024 00:00:00 -0700 The West Virginia Intermediate Court of Appeals upheld the denial of additional treatment and temporary total disability benefits for an injured mine worker. Case: Polinski v. Consol Bailey Mine WV, No. Full Article
m Court Revives PTD Application for Mine Worker Struck by Ram Car By ww3.workcompcentral.com Published On :: Wed, 07 Aug 2024 00:00:00 -0700 The West Virginia Intermediate Court of Appeals affirmed the denial of a worker’s application for permanent total disability. Case: Murray American Energy Inc. v. Harshey, No. 24-ICA-73, 07/30/2024, unpublished. Facts: Dustin Harshey… Full Article
m Board Errs in Finding Worker Not Entitled to More Benefits for Second Amputation By ww3.workcompcentral.com Published On :: Fri, 09 Aug 2024 00:00:00 -0700 The West Virginia Intermediate Court of Appeals ruled that the Workers’ Compensation Board of Review erred in finding that a worker who lost part of his leg was not entitled… Full Article
m No Benefits for Worker With Alleged Injuries From Assisting Colleague in Emergency By ww3.workcompcentral.com Published On :: Mon, 12 Aug 2024 00:00:00 -0700 The West Virginia Intermediate Court of Appeals upheld the denial of a worker’s claim for injuries allegedly suffered while assisting a colleague having a medical emergency. Case: Hollandsworth v. Workforce West… Full Article
m Supreme Court Upholds Award for Worker's Radiation Exposure, Cancer By ww3.workcompcentral.com Published On :: Thu, 15 Aug 2024 00:00:00 -0700 The West Virginia Supreme Court upheld an award of benefits for a worker’s cancer and radiation exposure. Case: West Virginia Division of Highways v. Scott, No. 23-258, 08/01/2024, published. Facts: Larry Scott… Full Article
m Supreme Court Overturns PPD Award on Deficiencies in Apportionment Opinion By ww3.workcompcentral.com Published On :: Fri, 16 Aug 2024 00:00:00 -0700 The West Virginia Supreme Court overturned an award of permanent partial disability benefits to an injured worker, finding that it was improperly based on the opinion of a doctor who failed… Full Article
m Employer Loses Challenge to Deadlines for Contesting Black Lung Claims By ww3.workcompcentral.com Published On :: Mon, 19 Aug 2024 00:00:00 -0700 A federal appellate court rejected an employer’s challenge to the deadlines for submitting evidence to contest its liability for black lung benefits. Case: Hobet Mining Co. v. Workman, No. 23-1126, 08/02/2024,… Full Article
m Supreme Court Upholds Award to Worker for Electric Shock Injury By ww3.workcompcentral.com Published On :: Mon, 19 Aug 2024 00:00:00 -0700 The West Virginia Supreme Court upheld an award of benefits to a worker for his electric shock injury. Case: Quanta Services Inc. v. Bolling, No. 23-420, 08/01/2024, published. Facts: Zachary Bolling worked for… Full Article
m Supreme Court Upholds Authorization of Pain Management Consultation for Worker By ww3.workcompcentral.com Published On :: Tue, 20 Aug 2024 00:00:00 -0700 The West Virginia Supreme Court upheld the authorization of a pain management consultation for an injured worker. Case: Murray American Energy Inc. v. Stapel, No. 22-923, 08/01/2024, published. Facts: Sean Stapel worked… Full Article
m Supreme Court Allows Worker to Expand Claim By ww3.workcompcentral.com Published On :: Wed, 21 Aug 2024 00:00:00 -0700 West Virginia Supreme Court ruled that a worker was entitled to the expansion of his claim to add post-concussional syndrome and post-traumatic headaches. Case: Murray American Energy Inc. v. Yost, No. Full Article
m Split Supreme Court Upholds Increase in Worker's Award for Back Injury By ww3.workcompcentral.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Aug 2024 00:00:00 -0700 A divided West Virginia Supreme Court upheld an increase in a worker’s award for a back injury. Case: Murray American Energy Inc. v. Falcone, No. 22-0489, 08/01/2024, published. Facts: Brandon Falcone suffered… Full Article
m Supreme Court Upholds Denial of Worker's Request to Add Mental Injuries to Claim By ww3.workcompcentral.com Published On :: Fri, 23 Aug 2024 00:00:00 -0700 The West Virginia Supreme Court upheld the denial of a doctor’s request to expand a worker’s claim to add post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety as compensable conditions. Case: Travers v. Blackhawk… Full Article
m Supreme Court Upholds Expansion of Worker's Claim to Add Shoulder Injury By ww3.workcompcentral.com Published On :: Mon, 26 Aug 2024 00:00:00 -0700 The West Virginia Supreme Court upheld the expansion of a worker’s claim to add a shoulder injury. Case: Gibson v. Blackhawk Mining LLC, No. 23-178, 08/01/2024, published. Facts: Timothy Gibson worked for… Full Article
m Supreme Court Upholds Denial of Worker's Request for Additional Benefits, Expansion of Claim By ww3.workcompcentral.com Published On :: Tue, 27 Aug 2024 00:00:00 -0700 The West Virginia Supreme Court upheld the denial of a worker's request for additional benefits and the expansion of her claim. Case: Martin v. Wal-Mart Associates Inc., No. 23-115, 08/01/2024, published. Facts: Irene Martin… Full Article