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Court of Existing Claims Announces Preliminary Review Docket

The Oklahoma Workers’ Compensation Court of Existing Claims is implementing a preliminary review docket for active cases pending as of July 1. The court’s preliminary review docket will be held at…




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Court Upholds Worker's Entitlement to Additional Treatment, AWW Calculation

The Arkansas Court of Appeals upheld a determination that a worker was entitled to additional treatment for a foot injury, as well as the Workers’ Compensation Commission’s calculation of her…




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Court Says Worker's Lies Don't Forfeit Entitlement to Benefits

The Arkansas Court of Appeals upheld an award of benefits for a man with a rapid-repetitive-motion injury and that he did not forfeit his entitlement to benefits by lying about his medical…




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No Permanent Total Disability Benefits for Worker Who Lost Eye

The Arkansas Court of Appeals upheld a determination that a worker was not permanently and totally disabled by the loss of her left eye. Case: Murphy v. Arkansas Department of Correction,…




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DOL Sets Benefit-Assistance Events for Black Lung Disease Cases

The U.S. Department of Labor's federal Black Lung Program has set outreach events for current and former coal miners with disabilities related to black lung disease in Indiana, Illinois and Kentucky. Miners' families and…




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Court Upholds Causal Connection Between Coal Worker's Employment, Pneumoconiosis

A federal appellate court upheld a finding that a worker’s coal mine employment caused his pneumoconiosis. Case: Lance Coal Corp. v. OWCP, No. 23-3779, 05/09/2024, unpublished. Facts: Virgil Combs worked for Lance…




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ATF Medical Names Katherine Nelson VP of National Sales

ATF Medical appointed Katherine Nelson to serve as vice president of sales. Katherine Nelson Nelson will be based in Las Vegas and oversee the company’s efforts to market mobility and accessibility…




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OccMD Names Cheryl Killion Director of Nurse Case Management

Medical management firm OccMD on Tuesday announced the appointment of Cheryl Killion as the new director of nurse case management effective June 1. Killion has served as a senior nurse case…




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Federal Court Says it Lacks Jurisdiction Over Petition Filed Day Too Late

A federal appellate court ruled that it had no jurisdiction over a petition for review of a denial of survivor’s benefits under the Black Lung Benefits Act filed one day…




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Regulatory Preamble Can Support Award of Black Lung Benefits

A federal appellate court ruled that an administrative law judge did not err in relying on a regulatory preamble to support an award of black lung benefits to a veteran…




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AppliedVR Names Michael Marsau Executive Director, Workers' Compensation

AppliedVR appointed Michael Marsau as its executive director of workers’ compensation. Michael Marsau Marsau is overseeing the launch of the company’s flagship RelieVRx prescription therapeutic into the workers’ compensation market, the…




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Federal Court Upholds Worker's Award of Black Lung Benefits Despite ALJ's Evidentiary Mistake

A federal appellate court upheld an award of black lung benefits to a coal industry employee despite the administrative law judge’s evidentiary error. Case: Coastal Coal Co. LLC v. Harrison, No.




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Court Upholds Worker's Convictions for Embezzlement, Workers' Compensation Fraud

A federal appellate court upheld a worker’s convictions and sentence to embezzlement and workers’ compensation fraud. Case: U.S. v. Holmes, No. 23-4700, 06/21/2024, unpublished. Facts and procedural history: Federal prosecutors in South…




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Court Overturns Black Lung Award, Clarifies Burden of Proof for Legal Pneumoconiosis Claims

A divided federal appellate court overturned an award of black lung benefits to a coal miner based on an administrative law judge’s misapplication of the burden of proof for a legal…




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DOL Session to Discuss Benefits for Nuclear Weapons Workers

The U.S. Department of Labor will host an informational session in Lisle, Illinois, to discuss benefits available under the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Act. The program provides lump-sum payments and…




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Truck Driver's Work Counts as Coal Mine Employment for Black Lung Benefits

A federal appellate court upheld an award of compensation under the Black Lung Benefits Act to a worker, finding that the time he spent as a truck driver was “substantially…




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Senate Committee Report Says Amazon Injury Rate Spikes for Prime Day, Holidays

Amazon warehouses are particularly unsafe during Prime Day and the holiday season because the company disregards safety protocols so workers can keep up with the high volume of orders, according…




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Crowdstrike Outage Hits Comp Agencies

EDITOR’S NOTE: The New York State Workers Compensation Board said Friday afternoon that the majority of online services should now be restored. “Users may still experience lingering issues with some applications,”…




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Railway Worker Loses Challenge to Dismissal of Retaliation Claim

The U.S. 8th Circuit Court of Appeals denied review of a railway worker’s challenge to the dismissal of his claim he had been terminated in retaliation for his successful pursuit…




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Berkshire Names Marj Hutchings CIO

The Workers’ Compensation Division of Berkshire Hathaway Homestate Cos. appointed Marj Hutchings as its chief information officer. Marj Hutchings Hutchings brings 35 years of technology experience, 27 of which are in…




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Attorney Can't Seek Fees After Client Settles LHWCA Claim

A federal appellate court ruled that the former attorney for a claimant seeking benefits under the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act could not seek an award of fees after…




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DOL Seeks Nominations for Advisory Committee on Occupational Safety

The U.S. Department of Labor is seeking nominations for four positions on the National Advisory Committee on Occupational Safety and Health. The department said it is seeking one public representative, one…




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DOL: Maersk Agrees to Stop Retaliating Against Workers Who Report Safety Concerns

Shipping giant Maersk Line Ltd. agreed to end a policy requiring workers to notify the company of any safety concerns before contacting the Coast Guard, the U.S. Department of Labor announced. Maersk…




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Court Finds Eye Doctor Illegally Fired Worker Who Reported COVID Violations

The U.S. Department of Labor announced that the federal court for the Northern District of New York found that an ophthalmologist and his practice illegally fired a worker who complained…




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Federal Court Creates Circuit Split on Liability for Black Lung Benefits

A federal appellate court created a split among the circuits on whether the parent company of a self-insuring coal mine operator can be held liable for black lung benefits owed…




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Court Upholds Denial of Miner's Third Claim for Black Lung Benefits

A federal appellate court upheld the denial of a coal miner’s third claim for black lung benefits. Case: Hitt v. OWCP, No. 23-1916, 08/15/2024, unpublished. Facts: Robert Hitt worked in the coal…




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Federal Court Rejects Employer's Petition for Review of Black Lung Award to Widow

A federal appellate court rejected an employer’s petition for review of black lung benefits to a miner’s widow. Case: Harman Mining Corp. v. Bartley, No. 22-2283, 08/20/2024, unpublished. Facts: Jerry W. Bartley…




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IAIABC Opens Registration for Work Comp Judicial Program

The International Association of Industrial Accident Boards and Commissions opened registration for its 2024 Judicial Program being held Oct. 29-30. The program, presented by IAIABC with the National Association on Workers’…




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Attune Launches EverPeak Insurance on Digital Platform

Attune Insurance launched a new workers’ compensation solution, EverPeak Insurance, and started providing coverage to businesses in Arizona and South Carolina. Attune said the work comp product caters to small businesses…




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DOL Orders Compensation for Workers Fired Over Safety Concerns, Misclassified as Contractors

The U.S. Labor Department said it received more than $350,000 in back wages for workers at a Michigan construction company who were misclassified as contractors and for a truck driver…




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DOL Awards $12.7M in Workplace Safety Grants

The U.S. Labor Department on Thursday announced that it awarded $12.7 million to 102 nonprofits throughout the country to pay for educational and training initiatives aimed at improving workplace safety. Funds…




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Court Rejects Employer's Challenge to Black Lung Award

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,…




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Senate Committee Passes Bill to Increase Provider Options for Federal Workers

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…




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Enlyte Launches Physical Medicine Network

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…




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Rail Company Owes $453,510 to Workers Fired Over Safety Concerns

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…




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NCCI: Temperature, Precipitation Linked to Frequency

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%…




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Worker Gets PTD Benefits After Symptoms Shift From Left Side of Body to Right

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…




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Employers Required to Use Revised Work Comp Notice Poster in September

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…




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Worker Can't Sue Over Accident Caused by Colleague in Parking Lot

The Massachusetts Appeals Court upheld the summary dismissal of a worker’s civil suit against his employer and a colleague who had accidentally struck him with a truck while he was…




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Contractor Fined for Safety Violations That Caused Worker's Death

Federal workplace safety investigators fined a Massachusetts waterproofing contractor $283,115 for safety violations they say led to a worker's death. Gerceir Osvaldo DeFaria, 51, was killed in February 2024 when part…




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Report: Lawmaker Failed to Report Outside Employment While Collecting Comp

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…




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No Benefits for Poultry Plant Worker's Injuries from Unexplained Fall

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:…




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Court Upholds Denial of Benefits for Worker Injured in Fall

The Virginia Court of Appeals upheld the denial of a worker’s claim for an injury from falling as she turned to speak to a colleague. Case: O’Brien v. Northern Virginia Community…




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Worker Gets Benefits for Shoulder Injury From Slip and Fall

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…




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Employer Can't Relitigate Reasonableness of Worker's Mileage for Treatment

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…




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Worker With Traumatic Brain Injury Entitled to Inpatient Residential Care

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.




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Worker Helping Crash Victim Gets Benefits for Injuries From Being Struck by Car

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…




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Collateral Estoppel Doesn't Bar Worker's Civil Suit for Alleged Exposure Injuries

A divided West Virginia Supreme Court ruled that the doctrine of collateral estoppel did not bar a worker who failed to prove his occupational disease claim from seeking a civil…




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Split Supreme Court Upholds Closure of Worker's Claim

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…




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Worker Fails to Establish Causal Connection Between Injury, Need for Nerve Block Treatments

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:…