The Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau of California on Thursday announced the promotion of Tony Milano to executive vice president and chief actuary. Tony Milano “Tony’s promotion to our Senior Leadership…

A California appellate court overturned a jury verdict in favor of a railway, finding that the trial judge prejudicially erred in excluding the testimony of an injured worker’s expert witness. Terrence Richard…

The Oklahoma Supreme Court ruled that if a worker is injured as a passenger in an employer-owned vehicle, and workers’ compensation exclusivity precludes a recovery under the automobile liability policy, the…

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…

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…

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.

The U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals dismissed an employer’s challenge to a decision of the Benefits Review Board remanding a worker’s motion to modify his partial disability award under…

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 v. Bartley, No. 22-2283, 08/20/2024, unpublished.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…

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…

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…

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 Case: Murray American Energy Inc. v. Harshey, No. 24-ICA-73, 07/30/2024, unpublished.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…

West Virginia’s Intermediate Court of Appeals overturned the closure of a worker’s claim and ordered that additional evidence be developed as to his preexisting conditions and whether they contributed to his…

West Virginia’s Intermediate Court of Appeals upheld the denial of a referral to a neurosurgeon for evaluation of a condition that had not been accepted as compensable in a worker’s claim. Case:…

In a case of first impression, the Colorado Court of Appeals ruled that when assessing whether a worker is at maximum medical improvement, a physician may consider all relevant body…

A Texas appellate court revived an injured school district employee’s challenge to an administrative law judge’s determination that she was barred from pursuing compensation for some alleged conditions and dates…

The Texas Division of Workers’ Compensation is accepting comments on three sections of the Texas Administrative Code as part of a periodic review of its rules and regulations. The division is…

A federal appellate court ruled that a worker’s Jones Act claims should be sent back to a Texas state court. Shanon Roy Santee worked as a remote-operated vehicle technician in the…

The Washington Court of Appeals upheld the suspension of an injured nurse’s benefits because she refused to participate in a telehealth evaluation requested by her employer. Case: Novalic v. PeaceHealth, No. 58451-4-II, 07/16/2024, unpublished. Facts: Eldina…

A trial court erred when it granted a motion in limine to preclude an injured worker from presenting to a jury the question of eligibility for a permanent partial disability…

This one-hour session will focus on reviewing medical reports from a lay-person perspective.

This four-hour seminar will present the terminology and application of the AMA Guides to common parts of body injured in work related injuries. Many WPI ratings are missed or…

This program provides expert instruction and advice about rating, permanent disability, impairment and litigation strategies. Instructors will focus on all aspects of rating and prepare everyone involved in the rating…

"Work Comp Matters" - the central location for all your workers' compensation, employment and labor law matters. Steve Appell hosts this weekly podcast from sunny southern California - presenting some…

Litigation Strategies for Developing the Issue of Accurate PD: Theory, Evidence, Negotiation and Trial. Understand how to Litigate a Workers’ Comp Case, when the primary issue is Permanent Disability. This…

This program will provide expert instruction and advice about rating, permanent disability, impairment and litigation strategies. The panel of instructors will focus on education that benefits all parties in the…

Top Tips for Prepping Your Case for Trial Nailing the Doctor’s deposition Bullet Proving Your Medical Evidence Secrets Everyone Needs to Know About How to Accurately Rate PD WC Litigation Pitfalls and Pratfalls in…

Rating the Spine: Evaluating Accuracy and Red Flags…

This week on Work Comp Matters, Steve, Mike, Robert & Ted discuss all the events of 2018 that we liked & disliked. An update from John Scalia. Topics…

This program offers expert instruction and advice on rating, while providing the students with the upper hand in everyday issues with your cases. Students will walk away with an understanding…

This program will enhance each student's ability to identify poor quality evaluations and erroneous ratings. Dr. Chris Brigham will provide an insider's perspective and practical guidance.

This week on Work Comp Matters, Steve, Mark Reed, Robert and Mike talk about the Measles and the anti-vaccine, Police use of force, State Compensation Insurance Fund Utilization Review, and…

This program provides a guide to handling cases of serious and willful misconduct of employers. Examining various reviews and practice hints, Frank Christine III, Esq. will offer a review of…

The Washington State Department of Labor and Industries announced that it opened rulemaking for ergonomic regulations that would apply to airline ground crews. State lawmakers in 2023 enacted Senate Bill 5217,…

A New York appellate court ruled that a worker was not entitled to summary judgment on one aspect of his Labor Law claim. Case: Urquia v. Deegan 135 Realty LLC,  No. 22340/19,…

A New York appellate court upheld a grant of summary judgment for a worker’s Labor Law claim based on his fall while working in an elevator shaft. Case: De Souza v.

A divided Michigan Court of Appeals upheld the dismissal of a tort claim saying the injured worker agreed to a shorter statute of limitations in a contract he signed as…

Pennsylvania’s Supreme Court will be weighing in on the proper allocation of the burden of proving the existence of available positions for an injured worker, and the suitability of those…

Hon. Clint Feddersen designed this course to prepare experienced workers' compensation attorneys to become California Certified Legal Specialists in Workers' Compensation Law.

Join Sue Honor, Sue is the former manager of the California DWC Medical Unit. Students who complete all of the coursework will meet the California Department of Insurance requirements laid…

This program offers expert instruction and advice on rating, while providing the students with the upper hand in everyday issues with your cases. Students will walk away with an understanding…

This presentation aims to explain the concept and importance of evidence-based medicine (EBM) in managing workplace injuries. Troy Prevot, Director of Strategic Solutions from ODG by MCG, will cover how…

An Ohio appellate court ruled that a worker was not entitled to relief from a decision rendered after a hearing she did not attend because she had not received the…

The Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation announced that a handful of rules are up for review. The BWC said its claims procedure rules in Chamber 4123-3, as well as the miscellaneous…

The Kentucky Division of Occupational Safety and Health is holding a free safety training event this month. The four-day event will include sessions exploring effective safety and health management programs and…

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…

The Montana Workers’ Compensation Court granted summary judgment denying a worker’s request for additional temporary total disability benefits because he failed to offer objective medical findings of his alleged chronic headaches. Case:…

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…

Florida's Chief Financial Officer is asking the state's 1st District Court of Appeal to revisit its definition of heart disease under a 2023 decision dealing with presumptive claims by first…

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…

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…