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Court Overturns Denial of Employer's Motion for Costs as Partially Prevailing Party

A Florida appellate court overturned a judge’s decision denying an employer’s motion for costs as a prevailing party on a worker’s claim. Frances Smith worked for the Palm Beach County School…




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Judge Whiffs in Calculating Pro Baseball Player's Average Weekly Wage

A Florida appellate court ruled that a judge of compensation claims erroneously calculated a minor league baseball player’s average weekly wage. Austin Sodders entered into a seven-year minor league contract with…




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Report: Clearwater Cop Arrested for Alleged Comp, Pension Fraud

A police officer in Clearwater, Florida, was arrested after investigators allegedly observed him engaging in activities that contradicted the limitations he cited when seeking workers’ compensation benefits and a disability…




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Federal Court Upholds Conviction for Pharmacy Kickback Scheme, Overturns Restitution Order

A federal appellate court upheld a defendant’s conviction for a long-running and lucrative kickback scheme but overturned the restitution order that had been imposed. Case: U.S. v. Young, Nos. 20-13091 and…




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OSHA Cites Contractors for Fatal Fall

The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration cited two contractors that it said could have prevented a fatal accident if they followed workplace safety rules. Jorge De La Torre, 27, died…




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Court Upholds Worker's Entitlement to Further Medical Care

An Arizona appellate court upheld a determination that a worker was entitled to additional treatment as he had not reached a medically stationary state. Case: Tenet Health System Medical v. Industrial…




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Court Upholds Denial of Worker's Request to Reopen Car Accident Claim

The Arizona Court of Appeals upheld the denial of a worker’s request to reopen his claim arising out of a car accident. Case: Parr v. Industrial Commission, No. 1 CA-IC 23-0018,…




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ICA Sets Annual Claims Seminar for August

The Industrial Commission of Arizona is holding its 2024 Claims Seminar Aug. 15-16 in Scottsdale. The seminar will cover topics including an overview of state work comp statutes, the role of…




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ALJ Abuses Discretion in Denying Worker's Request for Relief

The Arizona Court of Appeals ruled that an administrative law judge committed an abuse of discretion in denying a worker’s request for relief from the dismissal of her hearing due…




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ICA Names New Safety and Health Program Manager

The Industrial Commission of Arizona announced that Joanna Martelles was chosen to serve in the newly created position of Safety and Health Program manager. The new position will be tasked with…




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Industrial Commission Announces New Training Opportunities

The Arizona Industrial Commission announced that it's Medical Resource Office has added training opportunities for providers, payers and third-party administrators. The training course for providers is comprised of four, 30-minute webinars…




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Court Upholds Dismissal of Municipal Employee's Tort Suit Against Employer

A Louisiana appellate court upheld the summary dismissal of a municipal employee’s suit against her employer for her injuries from a fall allegedly caused by the city’s negligence in maintaining…




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LASIE Seminar to Cover Basic Principles of Medical Injuries

The Louisiana Association of Self Insured Employers is holding a one-day seminar covering the basic principles of medical injuries commonly seen in workers’ compensation. The seminar will cover how to review…




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Court Upholds Award for Carpal Tunnel, Denies Employer's Request to Take Offset

A Louisiana appellate court upheld an award of benefits for a worker with carpal tunnel syndrome and ruled that his employer was not entitled to an offset against its liability. Case: Caldwell…




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Federal Court Finds Worker Doesn't Qualify as Jones Act Seaman

The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a determination that a worker did not qualify as a Jones Act seaman. Case: Edwards v. InterMoor Inc., No. 23-30727, 08/29/2024, unpublished. Facts: Lawrence…




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Court Overturns Approval for Change in Doctors, Denies Forfeiture Claim

A Louisiana appellate court overturned a judge’s decision approving a worker’s change of physician but upheld the denial of the employer’s request for a forfeiture of benefits. Case: Southern v. Servpro…




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Appeals Court Partially Reverses Employer's Win

A Louisiana appellate court overturned a finding that a worker’s stiff person syndrome was not related to her work accident, and a finding that she was capable of engaging in gainful employment…




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Res Judicata Does Not Bar Worker's Intentional Tort Claim Against Colleague

A Louisiana appellate court ruled that res judicata did not bar a school district employee’s intentional tort claim against a colleague even though she received a workers’ compensation settlement for her…




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High Court: No Compensation for Jouster Injured at Renaissance Festival

The Louisiana Supreme Court declined to hear the appeal of a decision finding that a man injured while jousting was excluded from the state's workers' compensation system. On Tuesday, a 6-1…




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Injured Firefighter Successfully Challenges Reduction in Benefits

A Louisiana appellate court ruled that an injured firefighter’s benefits were wrongly reduced and that he was entitled to full reinstatement, plus an award of penalties and attorney fees. Case: Prevost…




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Supreme Court Says Injured Worker Using False Identity Can't Pursue 3rd Party Tort Claim

The Louisiana Supreme Court ruled that an injured worker lost his ability to pursue a civil suit he had filed under a false name and an illegally obtained identity. Rafael Antonio…




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WCC: Amended Rules Allow Electronic Payment

The South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Commission adopted new benefit payment rules after lawmakers permitted the agency to allow electronic payments. The commission on Friday published a statement announcing that the new…




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Court Upholds Denial of Worker's Claim for PTD

The South Carolina Court of Appeals upheld the denial of a worker’s claim for permanent total disability benefits. Case: Cox v. Palmetto State Transportation, No. 2019-001936, 05/29/2024, unpublished. Facts: Jennie Cox allegedly…




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Court Upholds Summary Dismissal of Worker's Defamation Claims Against Employer

The South Carolina Court of Appeals upheld the summary dismissal of a worker’s defamation claim against his employer for alleged statements made after he appeared to suffer an on-the-job injury. Case:…




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Court Upholds Award of Benefits to Nurse, Corrects AWW Calculation

The South Carolina Court of Appeals ruled that an injured nurse was entitled to benefits for a closed period and that the Workers’ Compensation Commission erred in calculating her average weekly wage. Rachel…




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No Benefits for Worker Injured in Fall From Ladder

The South Carolina Court of Appeals upheld the denial of benefits to a worker who was injured when she ignored her employer’s instruction to not use a ladder. Case: Bridges v.




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Court Revives Civil Suit Over Worker's Fatal Heart Attack

The South Carolina Court of Appeals overturned a grant of summary judgment dismissing a lawsuit against an employer and its in-house nurses, alleging that they failed to provide adequate treatment to a…




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Employer Penalized for Late Award Payment

The South Carolina Court of Appeals upheld a 10% penalty against an employer for its late payment of a worker’s award. Case: Jefferson v. South Carolina Department of Transportation, No. 2019-001643, 09/11/2024,…




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Court Upholds Denial of Worker's Request to Modify Award

The Kansas Court of Appeals upheld a decision of the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board denying a government employee’s request for a modification of her award. Case: Jackson v. Johnson County, No.




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Court Rejects Constitutional Challenges to Lack of Jury Trial, Cap on Benefits

The Kansas Court of Appeals rejected a widower’s constitutional challenges to the lack of a jury trial in workers’ compensation matters and the statutory cap on the benefits payable for…




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Federal Court Upholds Jury's Finding That UPS Didn't Discriminate Against Injured Worker

A federal appellate court upheld a jury verdict finding an employer had not discriminated against an injured employee. Case: Donahue v. United Parcel Service, Nos. 22-3132 and 22-3142, 08/12/2024, published. Facts: William…




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Attorney Has No Duty to Advise Comp Client on Potential Third-Party Claims

The Wisconsin Court of Appeals ruled that the attorney and law firm hired to represent a man on solely his workers’ compensation claim did not have a duty to advise…




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Social, environmental factors may raise risk of developing heart disease and stroke

Research Highlights: People living in neighborhoods with more environmental adversities, including pollution, toxic sites, high traffic and few parks, had higher rates of cardiovascular disease and cardiovascular disease risk factors. This association ...




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Adults with congenital heart disease faced higher risk of abnormal heart rhythms

Research Highlights: Almost 1 in 5 adults with congenital heart disease living in Israel had or developed an abnormal heart rhythm over five years. Adults with congenital heart disease who developed an irregular heart rhythm in the heart’s upper...




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Good heart health in middle age may preserve brain function among Black women as they age

Research Highlights: Middle-aged Black women with better heart health were less likely to show a decline in mental function compared with middle-aged Black women with worse heart health. In this study, heart health was unrelated to cognitive decline...




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Personalized screening early in pregnancy may improve preeclampsia detection




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Early diagnosis & treatment of peripheral artery disease essential to improve outcomes, reduce amputation risk

Guideline Highlights: The new joint guideline from the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology provides recommendations to guide clinicians in the treatment of patients with lower extremity peripheral artery disease (PAD) and ...




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El diagnóstico y tratamiento tempranos de la enfermedad arterial periférica son esenciales para mejorar los resultados y reducir el riesgo de amputación

Aspectos destacados de la guía: La nueva guía conjunta de la American Heart Association (la Asociación Americana del Corazón) y el American College of Cardiology ofrece recomendaciones para guiar a los médicos en el tratamiento de pacientes con...




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Palliative care beneficial to manage symptoms, improve quality of life for people with CVD

Statement Highlights: Palliative medication management focuses on providing relief from symptoms and enhancing quality of life for people with cardiovascular disease throughout the various stages of the disease. Decisions about initiating, adjusting...




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Los cuidados paliativos son beneficiosos para tratar los síntomas y mejorar la calidad de vida de las personas con ECV

Aspectos destacados de la declaración: El manejo de los medicamentos paliativos se enfoca en el alivio de los síntomas y en la mejora de la calidad de vida de las personas con enfermedades cardiovasculares en las distintas etapas de la enfermedad. La...




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La nueva guía explica en detalle cómo manejar el riesgo de enfermedades cardiovasculares (ECV) antes, durante y después de una cirugía no cardíaca

Aspectos destacados de la guía: La guía conjunta de la American Heart Association (la Asociación Americana del Corazón) y el American College of Cardiology, que aborda el tratamiento y la evaluación cardiovascular de los pacientes antes, durante y...




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Knowing you have a brain aneurysm may raise anxiety risk, other mental health conditions

Research Highlights: People diagnosed with unruptured cerebral aneurysms (weakened areas in brain blood vessels) who are being monitored without treatment have a higher risk of developing mental illness compared to those who have not been diagnosed...




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Analysis found weight-loss surgery may help people with obesity manage high blood pressure

Research Highlights: In an analysis of 18 randomized clinical trials, people with obesity and high blood pressure who underwent bariatric (weight-loss) surgery were almost three times more likely to achieve blood pressure remission, defined as...




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Better cardiovascular health in early pregnancy may offset high genetic risk

Research Highlights: Favorable cardiovascular health in early pregnancy, as measured by the American Heart Association's Life's Essential 8 (LE8) cardiovascular health score, was linked to lower risk of preeclampsia and gestational hypertension, ...




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New Spanish language stroke prevention website aims to remove barriers to equitable health

DALLAS, September 9, 2024 — While stroke is the fifth-leading overall cause of death in the United States, it disproportionately impacts Hispanic people. It is the third leading cause of death among Hispanic women and the fourth leading cause of death ...




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Nuevo sitio web en español para la prevención de ataques o derrames cerebrales busca eliminar barreras a la equidad en la salud

DALLAS, 9 de septiembre de 2024 — Si bien el derrame cerebral es la quinta causa principal de muerte en los Estados Unidos, afecta desproporcionadamente a los hispanos. Es la tercera principal causa de muerte entre las mujeres hispanas y la cuarta ...




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Heart failure, atrial fibrillation & coronary heart disease linked to cognitive impairment

Statement Highlights: Previous studies have found that 14-81% of patients with heart failure experience some degree of cognitive impairment affecting language, memory or executive function. Evidence also indicates that people with atrial fibrillation...




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Initial prescriptions of sedatives among older stroke survivors may include too many pills

Research Highlights: Within 90 days after having an ischemic (clot-caused) stroke, about 5% of stroke survivors ages 65 and older were prescribed benzodiazepines (depressants that relieve anxiety, muscle spasms, produce sedation and reduce seizures)...




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International research challenge to tackle knowledge gaps in women’s cardiovascular health

DALLAS, Sept. 25, 2024 — The American Heart Association, celebrating 100 years of lifesaving service as the world’s leading nonprofit organization focused on heart and brain health for all, is joining with other top cardiovascular research funders around...




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Nomine hoy a un héroe del derrame cerebral: Ya está abierto el plazo de presentación de candidaturas para los Stroke Hero Awards 2025

DALLAS, 1 de octubre de 2024 - Los derrames cerebrales pueden producirse a cualquier edad, lo que obliga a los supervivientes a superar cambios físicos, emocionales y cognitivos. Ya está abierto el plazo de presentación de candidaturas para los ...