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Court Overturns Summary Judgment for Labor Law Defendants on Indemnification Claims

A New York appellate court ruled that some defendants in a Labor Law action were not entitled to summary judgment on their indemnification claims against an injured plaintiff’s employer. Case: Lamarr v.




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Carrier's Failure to Issue Disclaimer of Liability to Additional Insureds Can't Avoid Coverage

A federal appellate court ruled that an insurance carrier’s failure to issue notice of its disclaimer of liability to two additional insureds prevented it from relying on an exclusion to defeat demands…




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Defendants Entitled to Trial, but Not on Damages

A New York appellate court ruled that the defendants in a Labor Law action were entitled to a trial, but they could not have a jury’s determination on damages set…




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WCB to Require Electronic Submission of CMS-1500 Form

The New York State Workers’ Compensation Board said part of its ongoing modernization initiatives will require health care providers to contract with an electronic submission partner to submit the CMS-1500…




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Worker Should Have Been Granted Summary Judgment on Labor Law Claim

A New York appellate court ruled that a worker should have been granted summary judgment on his Labor Law claim for falling from a scaffold. Case: Amaro v. New York City…




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Worker Gets Partial Summary Judgment on Labor Law Claim for Bridge Accident

A New York appellate court ruled that an injured worker should have been granted partial summary judgment on his Labor Law claims for a bridge construction accident. Case: Chiarella v. New…




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WCB Opens Registration for 2024 Conference

The New York State Workers’ Compensation Board opened registration for its 2024  conference, set for Oct. 18 in Albany. Clarissa Rodriguez The full-day program will feature a state-of-the-system report from WCB Chair…




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Court: Property Owner Should Have Been Granted Summary Judgment on Labor Law Claim

A New York appellate court ruled that a property owner should have been granted summary judgment dismissing an injured worker’s claims against it. Case: Miranda v. 1320 Entertainment Inc., No. 2022-09472,…




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Worker Who Fell From Scaffold Gets Summary Judgment on Labor Law Claim

A New York appellate court upheld a grant of summary judgment for a worker who fell from a scaffold. Case: Ramirez v. Pace University, No. 2022-04811, 08/28/2024, published. Facts: Jonathan Ramirez allegedly fell from…




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Worker Not Entitled to Summary Judgment on Labor Law Claims

A New York appellate court ruled that a worker was not entitled to summary judgment on his Labor Law claims for an alleged fall from a ladder. Case: Injai v. Circle F…




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Court: Board Employee's Termination Justified

A New York appellate court upheld an arbitrator’s determination that a Workers' Compensation Board employee was properly terminated for misconduct. Case: Matter of Henry v. New York State Workers' Compensation Board, No.




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Worker Gets Summary Judgment on Labor Law Claim for Slip and Fall

A New York appellate court ruled that a worker was properly granted summary judgment on his Labor Law claim for a workplace slip-and-fall injury. Case: Oliveira v. Top Shelf Electric Corp., No.




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Worker Gets Summary Judgment for Labor Law Claim Based on Painting Accident

A New York appellate court ruled that a worker was entitled to summary judgment for his injuries from a falling while painting a bathroom. Case: Mosquera v. TF Cornerstone Inc., No. 23663/16,…




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Worker Struck by Falling Object Gets Summary Judgment on Labor Law Claim

A New York appellate court upheld a grant of summary judgment on a worker’s Labor Law claim for his injuries from being struck by a falling object. Case: Tejada-Rodriguez v. 76…




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Worker's Labor Law Claim Dismissed; Defendant's Indemnification Claim Revived

A New York appellate court upheld the summary dismissal of a worker’s Labor Law claim and revived a defendant’s third-party indemnification claim. Case: Pitang v. Beacon Broadway Co. LLC, No. 27350/17, 10/01/2024,…




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Worker Fails to Link Amputation of Leg to Prior Work Accident

A New York appellate court ruled that a worker failed to prove the amputation of his leg was related to his injuries from a fall in 2006. Case: Matter of DiPippo…




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Worker Hit by Falling Tree Gets Summary Judgment on Labor Law Claim

A New York appellate court upheld a grant of summary judgment in a Labor Law claim by a worker injured by a falling tree. Case: Ells v. City of Niagara Falls, No. 644…




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Worker, Defendant Get Summary Judgment on Claims

A New York appellate court ruled that a worker was entitled to summary judgment on his Labor Law claim and that the defendant was entitled to summary judgment on its…




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Worker Gets Benefits for Ladder Fall Injuries Despite Intoxication

A New York appellate court upheld an award of benefits for a worker even though he was heavily intoxicated when he fell from a ladder. Case: Matter of Lujan-Espinzo v. Electrical Illuminations by…




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Worker Fails to Prove Exacerbation of PTSD From Job Stress

A New York appellate court upheld the denial of a worker’s claim for the exacerbation of her preexisting psychological condition by alleged workplace stress. Case: Matter of Gorbea v. Verizon New…




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WCS Opens Registration for Training Session

The Nevada Workers’ Compensation Section is holding a basic orientation training session online on Aug. 1. The free educational program covers the basic work comp regulatory processes and a review of…




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Annual Comp Conference Set for Sept. 12-13

The 12th Annual Nevada Workers' Compensation Educational Conference is scheduled for Sept. 12-13 at the Tuscany Suites & Casino in Las Vegas. This year's featured presenters include Victoria Carreón, administrator of the state Division…




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Supreme Court Clarifies Carrier's Rights, Obligations to Collect on Subrogation Lien

The Nevada Supreme Court overturned its own precedent and ruled that an insurance carrier does not need to intervene or otherwise participate in a worker’s third-party claim to recover on…




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WCS Posts Guidance on New Claims Administrator Law

The Nevada Workers' Compensation Section posted a sheet of answers to frequently asked questions about new requirements for claims administrators. Lawmakers last year passed Senate Bill 274, which enacted a host…




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WCA Accepting Applications for Judge

The New Mexico Workers’ Compensation Administration is accepting applications from attorneys who want to serve as judges. Judge Leonard Padilla Judge Leonard Padilla is retiring on Aug. 30 after more than…




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Governor Reappoints Sonya Carrasco-Trujillo as Work Comp Judge

New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham reappointed Sonya Carrasco-Trujillo to a five-year term as a judge for the Workers’ Compensation Administration. Carrasco-Trujillo was initially appointed to a one-year term in June…




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WCA Extends Deadline for Judicial Applications

The New Mexico Workers’ Compensation Administration extended the deadline to apply for a soon-to-be vacant judicial seat until Aug. 5. The WCA in May announced that it would accept applications through…




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Worker's Choice of Pleading Removes Court's Jurisdiction Over Retaliation Claim

The New Mexico Court of Appeals ruled that an injured worker pleaded his retaliation claims in such a way as to remove his case from the jurisdiction of the state…




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Selection Committee Seeks Comments on IME Applicants

The New Mexico Workers’ Compensation Administration announced that an advisory committee seeks comments on two independent medical examiner applicants. The IME Provider Selection Committee is considering authorizing Drs. Alan Altman and…




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Federal Court Upholds Damage Award for Carrier's Breach of Contract

The U.S. 10th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that an employer was entitled to more than $541,000 in damages for its insurance carrier’s breach of contract. Case: MVT Services LLC v. Great…




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WCA Announces Judicial Appointment of Doug Christopherson

The New Mexico Workers' Compensation Administration announced that Doug Christopherson was appointed as the agency's newest judge. Doug Christopherson Christopherson will fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Leonard Padilla in…




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Worker on Snow-Removal Duty Gets Benefits for Injuries From Fall

The New Jersey Superior Court’s Appellate Division ruled that a worker was entitled to benefits for his injuries from falling while taking a dip in a hotel pool. Case: Terhune v.




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Bill Would Increase Cap on Contingency Fee

New Jersey lawmakers are considering raising fees for attorneys who represent injured workers. The Senate last week voted 27-9 to pass bill S2822/A3986, which would increase the cap on attorney fees…




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DOL Announces $13,500 Settlement With Contractor for Preventable Death

The U.S. Department of Labor announced a $13,500 settlement with a New Jersey contractor it says could have prevented a fatal fall. The department said a 39-year-old worker fell five stories…




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Contractor Faces $819,417 in Penalties for Fall Hazards

The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration proposed $819,417 in penalties for a New Jersey contractor that it says has a history of exposing workers to potentially deadly fall hazards. OSHA…




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Summary Judgment Not Warranted on Worker's Claim for Parking Garage Fall

The New Jersey Superior Court’s Appellate Division overturned a grant of summary judgment dismissing a hospital worker’s suit for damages from a fall in a parking garage. Case: Barrett v. Hackensack…




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Carrier Has No Duty to Defend Employer From Intentional Tort Claims

The New Jersey Superior Court’s Appellate Division ruled that a carrier had no duty to defend an employer against an injured worker’s intentional tort claims. Case: De Tapia v. 74 Industries…




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Court Says Violation of Safety Rules Alone Doesn't Constitute Intentional Harm

The Appellate Division of New Jersey’s Superior Court affirmed a trial court’s decision granting summary judgment that dismisses an intentional harm case, saying the injured worker failed to clear the high…




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Worker Fails to Allege Viable Claims for Discrimination, Retaliation

A federal appellate court ruled that an injured worker failed to allege a viable claim of disability discrimination or workers’ compensation retaliation. Case: Wraith v. Wayfair Inc., No. 23-2400, 09/11/2024, unpublished. Facts:…




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Employers Denied Reimbursement From Second Injury Fund Must Get Hearing

The Supreme Court of New Hampshire ruled that an employer or insurance carrier that has been denied reimbursement from the Special Fund for Second Injuries is entitled to a hearing before…




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Supreme Court Upholds Denial of Benefits to Poultry Plant Worker for COVID-19 Infection

The Delaware Supreme Court upheld a denial of benefits to a poultry plant worker for his occupational disease claim based on a COVID-19 infection. Case: Fowler v. Perdue Inc., No. 412, 2023,…




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Governor Signs Bill Allowing Commissioner to Adopt Criteria for Safety Program Discount

Delaware Gov. John Carney signed a bill allowing the insurance commissioner to adopt criteria for employers to qualify for a workplace safety program that aims to provide lower workers’ compensation…




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Report: Former Postal Worker Sentenced to Probation for Fraud

A former U.S. Postal Service worker in Delaware was sentenced to three years of probation and ordered to pay nearly $94,000 in restitution for defrauding the federal workers’ compensation program,…




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Court Upholds Denial of Coverage for Amazon Employee's Back Surgery

The Delaware Superior Court upheld the denial of coverage for an Amazon employee’s back surgery, finding that his workplace injury did not necessitate the operation. Case: Hoskins v. Amazon.com, No. N23A-06-004…




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Court Reverses Finding That Worker Failed to Exhaust Reasonable Conservative Treatment

The Delaware Superior Court overturned a determination that an injured worker failed to exhaust reasonable conservative measures to treat his knee injury before opting for surgery. Case: Baxter v. Verizon Communications,…




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Labor Department Posts Practice Guidelines Online

The Delaware Department of Labor adopted rules allowing it to post the Workers’ Compensation Oversight Panel’s health care practice guidelines on its website. In May, the department proposed repealing regulations that…




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Commissioner Announces 8.4% Loss Cost Decrease

Delaware Insurance Commissioner Trinidad Navarro on Wednesday announced that voluntary market loss costs will decrease by an average of 8.4% on Dec. 1. At the same time, the commissioner announced an…




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Court Upholds Finding on Compensability for Knee Injury, Overturns PTD Award

The Nebraska Court of Appeals upheld a finding of compensability for a worker’s knee injury, but overturned the award of permanent total disability benefits as unsupported by adequate factual findings. Case:…




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Lack of Evidence Connecting Worker's Alleged Injury to Job Results in Denial of Claim

The Nebraska Court of Appeals upheld the denial of a worker’s claim because she failed to demonstrate a causal connection between her alleged injuries and her workplace accident. Case: Chavez v. Tyson…




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Court Says Board Applied Wrong Standard of Proof to Deny Worker's PPD Claim

Hawaii’s Intermediate Court of Appeals overturned the denial of a worker’s claim for permanent partial disability benefits, finding that the Labor and Industrial Relations Appeals Board imposed the wrong standard…