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Attorney Suspended for Misconduct

The Kentucky Supreme Court last week suspended an attorney for misconduct related to his representation of a client in a probate matter and a workers’ compensation claim. Barry Nathaniel Sullivan was…




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Court Upholds Award for Worker With Cumulative Trauma Back Injury

The Kentucky Court of Appeals upheld an award of benefits for a worker with a cumulative trauma back injury. Case: Martin Marietta Materials Inc. v. Stamper, No. 2024-CA-0727-WC, 08/23/2024, unpublished. Facts: James Stamper…




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Employer Must Pay for Worker's Self-Developed Treatments of Decades-Old Back Injury

The Kentucky Court of Appeals upheld the compensability of a former news reporter’s self-developed treatments for a decades-old back injury. Case: Paxton Media Group v. Hammond, No. 2023-CA-0807-WC, 08/30/2024, unpublished. Facts and…




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Carrier Not Obligated to Pay Worker's Belatedly Submitted Bills

The Kentucky Court of Appeals ruled that an insurance carrier had no obligation to pay a worker's medical bills that were submitted more than 45 days after the treatments were rendered. Case: Shepherd…




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Court Upholds Calculation of Worker's AWW, Denial of Statutory Multiplier

The Kentucky Court of Appeals upheld the calculation of an injured worker’s average weekly wage and a determination that her award was not subject to a multiplier. Case: Burks v. United…




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AWW Calculation Includes Lump-Sum Vacation Pay

The Kentucky Court of Appeals upheld the calculation of a worker’s average weekly wage that includes a lump sum of vacation pay with her wages, and it denied review of the…




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Court Upholds Denial of Coverage for Worker's Opioid Medication

The Kentucky Court of Appeals upheld the denial of coverage for a worker’s opioid medication. Case: Howell v. Floyd County Board of Education, No. 2024-CA-0122-WC, 10/18/2024, unpublished. Facts and procedural history: Judy…




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Court Orders DLI to Decide Reasonableness of Worker's Refusal to Attend Appointment

The Montana Workers’ Compensation Court ruled that the Department of Labor & Industry needed to make a finding as to the reasonableness of a worker’s refusal to attend a therapy…




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DLI Rules Would Authorize Max Penalty for Misclassification

The Montana Department of Labor and Industry proposed rules that would add intentional misclassification to the list of violations that justify assessing the maximum penalty. The department will hold a hearing…




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Governor Approves Pay Raise for Doctors Treating First Responders

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill allowing police and firefighters with injuries that are presumed to be compensable to select a doctor and increasing the provider’s reimbursement to twice…




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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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DWC Posts Rulemaking Notice for Fee Schedule, Related Documents

The Florida Division of Workers’ Compensation posted a notice of development of rulemaking to implement the most recent edition of its health care provider fee schedule and related documents. The DWC…




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Comp Judge Nominating Commission Meeting Aug. 19

Florida’s Statewide Nominating Commission for Judges of Compensation Claims will meet Aug. 19 in Orlando to interview judges for reappointment. The following judges are being considered for reappointment: William Anderson; Robert…




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NCCI Recommends 1% Rate Cut

The National Council on Compensation Insurance recommended that the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation reduce workers’ compensation rates by an average of 1%, effective Jan. 1. NCCI said in a summary…




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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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Performer Injured During Jousting Match Not Subject to Comp Coverage

A Louisiana appellate court ruled that a worker injured while participating in a jousting demonstration was exempt from coverage under the state Workers’ Compensation Act as a “performer.” Case: McKeane v.




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Court Holds Guaranty Association Liable for Worker's Mesothelioma Benefits

A Louisiana appellate court ruled that the state insurance guaranty association was liable for covering the obligations of two insolvent insurance carriers for a worker’s mesothelioma. Case: Ehlers v. Ports America…




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Lawmakers Pass Bill Limiting Recovery for Misclassification

Louisiana lawmakers passed a bill that would establish notice requirements for carriers to seek additional premium payments from employers that misclassified their workers and limit how much insurers can recover. Rep.




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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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Supreme Court Reinstates PTD Award for Worker With Back Injury

The South Carolina Supreme Court reinstated an award of permanent total disability benefits for a worker who lost the use of his back, despite the low impairment ratings he had received. Case: Paulino…




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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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Supreme Court Clarifies Statutory Review Process for Comp Cases

The South Carolina Supreme Court seized an opportunity to clarify the statutory review process for workers' compensation cases in addressing an injured correctional officer’s long-pending claim. Gena Cain Davis worked as…




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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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Commission Sets Claims Administration Workshop

The South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Commission is holding a claims administration workshop on Oct. 4. The Claims Administration Made Easy workshop will examine third-party claims, the various filings that must be…




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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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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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State Fund Must Pay for Continuing Treatment of Worker's Injury

The Kansas Supreme Court upheld a determination that the state Workers Compensation Fund was liable for paying the continuing treatment expenses for a worker who had accepted a job out…




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WCRI: TD Duration Remains Shorter Despite Recent Growth

An increase in average temporary disability duration drove a nearly 10% increase in average indemnity benefits per claim in Wisconsin in 2022, according to a recent study from the Workers…




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10.5% Rate Cut Approved for October

The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development and the Office of the Insurance Commissioner said businesses will pay an average of 10.5% less for workers’ compensation coverage, starting Oct. 1. The state’s…




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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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Treating gum disease after heart rhythm ablation reduced risk of AFib recurrence

Research Highlights: Treating gum disease within three months after a heart procedure to correct an irregular heart rhythm, known as atrial fibrillation (AFib), may lower the chances of it reoccurring. Inflamed gums may predict AFib recurrence after...




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Cardiovascular care centered on the patient is key and helps improve equity and outcomes

Statement Highlights: Patient-centered care establishes a respectful partnership among the health care team, the patient and caregivers to make shared decisions about management tailored to the patients’ beliefs, preferences and...




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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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30-year risk of cardiovascular disease may help inform blood pressure treatment decisions

Research Highlights: A comparison of two tools for calculating cardiovascular disease risk found that if only the current 10-year risk thresholds are applied, fewer adults may be recommended for blood pressure-lowering medication. The tools, The...




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La atención coordinada en niños con síndrome de Down y cardiopatías congénitas reviste gran importancia

Prohibida su divulgación hasta las4:00 a. m., hora del centro / 5:00 a. m., hora del este, del jueves, 12 de septiembre de 2024   DALLAS, 12 de septiembre de 2024 - Según una nueva declaración científica de la American Heart Association (la Asociación...




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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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Happy with your life? Research links contentment with fewer heart attacks and strokes

Research Highlights: People who are satisfied with their lives or feel contentment or well-being may be less likely to develop heart disease and stroke than their unsatisfied counterparts. The analysis of health records for more than 120,000 adults...




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COVID-19 infection appeared to increase risk of heart attack & stroke up to 3 years later

Research Highlights: An analysis of UK Biobank health data that included adults who had mild to severe COVID-19 before vaccines were available found an increased risk of heart attack, stroke and death among those adults during the nearly three-year...




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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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Nominate a stroke hero today: 2025 Stroke Hero Awards open for submissions

DALLAS, Oct. 1, 2024 - Strokes can strike at any age, challenging survivors to overcome physical, emotional and cognitive changes. Nominations are open now for the 2025 Stroke Hero Awards from the American Stroke Association, a division of the ...




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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 ...