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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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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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Goldberg Segalla Adds Attorneys in Philadelphia, Baltimore

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…




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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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Supreme Court Overturns Finding of No Liability for Second Injury Fund

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.




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Supreme Court Suspends Attorney Who Mishandled Comp Cases

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…




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Carrier Not Contributing Assessments to Trust Fund Can Still Get Reimbursements

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…




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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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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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Split Court Says MMI Finding Isn't Prerequisite to Receive Permanent Disability

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…




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Res Judicata Doesn't Bar Employer's Claims Against Former Comp Carrier

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…




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Report: Comp Board Claims Candidate Ran Uninsured Business, Owes $52,102

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…




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Court Upholds Finding That City Can Offset Benefits for Former Fire Chief

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…




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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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WCC Opens Registration for 2024 Conference

The Virginia Workers’ Compensation Commission opened registration for its 2024 Education Conference and Exhibition in October. The conference provides instruction on rules, procedures, policies and forms used in the state’s comp system.




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Firefighter's Aortic Aneurysm Constitutes Presumptively Compensable Heart Disease

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…




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Injured Flight Paramedic Fails to Prove Entitlement to Additional Awards

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.,…




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NCCI Proposes 12% Loss Cost Decrease

The National Council on Compensation Insurance submitted a rate filing recommending that the Virginia State Corporation Commission reduce loss costs by 12%, effective April 1. The filing also recommends a 15.8%…




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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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Court Upholds Award for Postinjury Mental Health Treatment

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…




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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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No Death Benefits for Widow in Asbestos Exposure Claim

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…




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Supreme Court Establishes Method for Apportioning Preexisting Impairment

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,…




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Supreme Court Upholds Award for Janitor Infected With Legionnaires' Disease

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…




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Coal Miner Gets Increased Award Despite Improved Condition After Lung Transplant

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…




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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:…




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No Additional Treatment, Benefits for Injured Mine Worker

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.




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Court Revives PTD Application for Mine Worker Struck by Ram Car

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…




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Board Errs in Finding Worker Not Entitled to More Benefits for Second Amputation

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…




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NCCI Proposes 9.1% Loss Cost Reduction

The National Council on Compensation Insurance filed with the West Virginia Office of the Insurance Commissioner a proposed workers’ compensation loss cost decrease of 9.1%, effective Jan. 1. If approved, the…




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Court Says Injured Worker Can Get Additional Physical Therapy

The West Virginia Intermediate Court of Appeals upheld a determination that an injured worker was entitled to additional physical therapy for her leg injury. Case: ACNR Resources Inc. v. Goff, No.




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No Benefits for Worker With Inconsistent Accounts of Accident, Delay in Reporting Injury

The West Virginia Intermediate Court of Appeals upheld a denial of benefits to a worker for an alleged back injury. Case: Cecil v. Pepsi-Cola Metropolitan Bottling Co., No. 24-ICA-53, 07/30/2024, unpublished. Facts:…




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Supreme Court Upholds Award for Worker's Radiation Exposure, Cancer

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…




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Supreme Court Overturns PPD Award on Deficiencies in Apportionment Opinion

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…




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Supreme Court Upholds Award to Worker for Electric Shock Injury

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…




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Supreme Court Upholds Authorization of Pain Management Consultation for Worker

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…




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Supreme Court Allows Worker to Expand Claim

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.




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Split Supreme Court Upholds Increase in Worker's Award for Back Injury

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…




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Supreme Court Upholds Denial of Worker's Request to Add Mental Injuries to Claim

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…




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Supreme Court Upholds Expansion of Worker's Claim to Add Shoulder Injury

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…




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Supreme Court Upholds Denial of Worker's Request for Additional Benefits, Expansion of Claim

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…




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Supreme Court Upholds Denial of Worker's Request for More Treatment, Benefits

The West Virginia Supreme Court upheld the denial of a worker’s request for additional treatment and benefits, and the expansion of his claim. Case: Hankins v. Sprouting Farms Corp., No. 22-919,…




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Injured Worker Not Entitled to Expand Scope of Claim

The West Virginia Intermediate Court of Appeals upheld the denial of a worker’s request to expand her claim to include additional conditions. Case: Amane v. Pas Parent Inc., No. 23-109, 08/01/2024,…




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Supreme Court Upholds PPD Award for Worker With Ankle Injury

The West Virginia Supreme Court upheld an award for an additional 22% permanent partial disability to a worker for her ankle injury. Case: Butler v. D&D Quality Care Inc., No. 23-147, 08/01/2024,…




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Supreme Court Upholds Expansion of Worker's Claim to Add New Conditions

The West Virginia Supreme Court upheld the expansion of a worker’s claim to include additional conditions. Case: McKinney v. Little General Store Inc., No. 23-117, 08/01/2024, published. Facts: Marilyn McKinney worked for…




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Supreme Court Upholds Denial of PTD Benefits

The West Virginia Supreme Court upheld a denial of permanent partial disability benefits to an injured worker. Case: Underwood v. West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources, No. 23-118, 08/01/2024,…




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Split Supreme Court Upholds Finding of Worsened Condition for Worker

A divided West Virginia Supreme Court summarily affirmed a finding that a worker had suffered a worsening of his condition attributable to a compensable lumbar injury. Case: ANR Inc. v. Stover,…




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Court Finds Worker Has No Impairment Despite 43 Years of Coal Dust Exposure

West Virginia’s Intermediate Court of Appeals upheld a determination that a worker had a 0% impairment despite his many years of occupational exposure to coal dust. Case: Jarrell v. Blackhawk Mining…