mp

Public School Employer Has Immunity from Civil Liability for Retaliatory Discharge Claim

A Texas appellate court ruled that a public school district was immune from civil liability to a former employee on her retaliatory discharge claim. Case: Conroe Independent School District v. Osuna,…




mp

DWC Proposes Rules to Implement HB 2468

The Texas Division of Workers’ Compensation on Friday proposed rules for designated doctor procedures and requirements for lifetime income benefits to implement House Bill 2468. HB 2468, which was enacted in…




mp

Temp Worker Can't Maintain Tort Suit Against Employer's Client

A Texas appellate court ruled that a temporary employment provider’s employee could not pursue a civil remedy against his employer’s client for an on-the-job injury. Case: Waeli v. BWFS Industries LLC,…




mp

Nonsignatory Can't Compel Arbitration of Wrongful Death Claim

A Texas appellate court ruled that a nonsignatory to an agreement could not compel arbitration of a family’s wrongful death claims despite its purported adoption of an occupational injury benefit…




mp

Co-Owner of Trucking Company Gets Deferred Adjudication for Fraud

The Texas Department of Insurance on Tuesday announced that the former co-owner of Bill Hall Jr. Trucking was sentenced to 10 years of deferred adjudication and ordered to pay restitution…




mp

Comp Division Proposes Changes to Pharmacy Benefit Rules

The Texas Division of Workers’ Compensation posted proposed changes to its pharmacy benefit rules that remove obsolete provisions and update reference language for consistency with other regulations. “When the rules were originally adopted,…




mp

Court Lacks Jurisdiction Over Worker's Negligence Claim Against Colleague, Employer

A Texas appellate court ruled that a trial court lacked subject matter jurisdiction over a worker’s negligence claims against a colleague and his employer arising from a motor vehicle accident. Case: In…




mp

Employer's Alleged Administrative Violations Don't Foreclose Exclusivity Defense

A Texas appellate court ruled that an employer’s alleged administrative violations did not prevent it from presenting and prevailing on its exclusivity defense. Robert Lane worked for Odle Inc. After he allegedly suffered…




mp

Registration Opens for Comp Conference

The Texas Division of Workers’ Compensation opened registration for its Workers’ Compensation Conference being held virtually in October. The conference will feature sessions covering topics that include artificial intelligence, average weekly…




mp

DWC Updates Employer Forms, Changes Rule Title

The Texas Division of Workers’ Compensation announced regulatory action to update employer forms and change the title of a rule. The division said it revised employer notice forms to conform to…




mp

Court Dismisses Carrier's Challenge to Compensability Finding

A Texas appellate court dismissed an insurance carrier’s challenge to a trial judge’s finding of compensability for a worker’s death, ruling that the judgment entered had been void. Case: Texas Mutual…




mp

Worker Can't Get Writ to Avoid Arbitration of Claim Against Nonsubscribing Employer

A Texas appellate court denied an injured worker's petition for mandamus relief of a trial judge’s order compelling him to arbitrate a negligence claim against his nonsubscribing employer. Adrian Murillo worked…




mp

Governor Approves Increase in Reemployment Plan Cost

Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy signed a bill increasing the cap on payments for reemployment plans by 66.5%. Alaska law allows injured workers who are not able to return to employment after…




mp

Friendship-Based Employment Can Fall Within Scope of Comp System

The Alaska Supreme Court ruled that employment based on friendship does not automatically fall outside the scope of the state workers’ compensation law. Samuel Amos, David Tidwell and Travis Plambeck all…




mp

Supreme Court Says Employer's Medical Exam Expenses Can't Be Recovered in Lien

The Mississippi Supreme Court ruled that an employer’s optional medical examination is not a reimbursable expense from a worker’s third-party recovery. Case: Brent v. Mississippi Department of Human Services, No. 2022-CT-00529-SCT,…




mp

Carrier Can't Void Employer's Policy or Proceed With Breach-of-Contract Claim

A federal appellate court ruled that an insurance carrier could not void a policy based on an employer’s misrepresentation, nor could it maintain a breach-of-contract claim against a marketing agent for failing to…




mp

Claimant Confusion Leads to Lawsuits Against Comp Attorney

A claimants' attorney in Mississippi is facing a trio of lawsuits after having a client arrested for cashing what turned out to be the settlement check of another injured worker…




mp

Court Dismisses Dispute Over Whether Worker Qualifies as Public Safety Employee

The Maryland Appellate Court rejected a dispute over whether an injured worker qualified as a public safety employee due to a lack of jurisdiction. Case: Clifton T. Perkins Hospital v. Frierson, No.




mp

Companies Fined $650,000 After Worker Dies in Storage Facility

Two companies were fined a combined $650,000 after a worker died in an apple storage facility that had a low oxygen level to prevent fruit from spoiling, the Washington State…




mp

Report: DOE Awards New Contract for Hanford Comp Claims

The U.S. Department of Energy picked a new company to administer workers’ compensation claims from the Hanford nuclear storage facility in Washington state, according to a report by the Tri-City…




mp

L&I Fines Roofing Companies $1.27M for Fall Safety Violations

The Washington State Department of Labor and Industries fined four roofing companies a combined $1.27 million for allowing people to work on top of homes without fall protection gear. L&I said…




mp

L&I Fines Wildlife Department for Worker Death

The Washington State Department of Labor and Industries fined the state wildlife department $200,400 for two incidents that killed one worker and hospitalized another. Mary Valentine, a 48-year-old Department of Fish…




mp

Construction Company Fined for Using Crane to Lift Workers

The Washington State Department of Labor and Industries said a Seattle construction company is facing $155,300 in fines for knowingly putting workers at serious risk of injury or death by…




mp

L&I Proposes 3.8% Rate Increase

The Washington State Department of Labor and Industries is proposing a 3.8% increase in the average hourly rate employers and workers will pay for comp coverage next year. If the proposal…




mp

L&I: Man Accused of Stealing $340,000 by Running Business While Collecting Benefits

A man who allegedly started a metal fabrication shop just weeks after suffering a workplace injury was charged with felony theft for allegedly stealing about $340,000 in indemnity benefits, the…




mp

L&I Fines Georgia Pacific for Fatal Accident

The Washington State Department of Labor and Industries fined Georgia Pacific $648,292 after a worker was crushed by an unguarded packing machine. Georgia Pacific is appealing the citation. Dakota A. Cline died…




mp

Workers' Compensation Insurance Policies and Principles




mp

SB 863 and Its Impact on Permanent Disability (1 of 3)

This one-hour session will provide an in-depth look at how SB863 has impacted permanent disability outcomes and costs in the California Workers’ Compensation system.




mp

Almaraz/Guzman: Past, Present & Future (2 of 3)

This one-hour session will provide an overview and analysis of recent case law focused on Almaraz/Guzman ratings.




mp

Advanced Impairment Report Design

This course is essential for any professional in workers’ compensation who creates, reviews or processes PR-4 Reports or QME/AME Reports. In this informative webinar, the attendee will learn how to…




mp

Workers' Compensation Basics, History, Terms, Benefits, SJDB

The Claims Specialist's Start Guide: CA Adjuster Cert Process, Historical Overview, Organizational Structure of WC System, WC Terms and Concepts, Basic Benefits & TD and SJDB Vouchers.




mp

Uninsured Employers: Basic Practices

What is an uninsured employer? How do you handle an uninsured employer case as defense counsel? As an applicant attorney? Join Tobin Lucks’ Nate Halprin for a special one hour…




mp

WCAB Procedures, Forms & Hearings

Insider’s Guide to the WCAB: Procedures, Forms & Hearings…




mp

Methods for Obtaining Highly Accurate Impairment Rating Results

Master an understanding of CA Work Comp impairment rating. Join Dr. John Alchemy, MD, QME, CIME, founder and CEO of RateFast (www.Rate-Fast.com) and Impairment Rating Specialists (www.pr4report.com), for an exclusive…




mp

Thriving as a Work Comp Medical Provider

This four hour seminar is an interactive educational program designed for primary treating physicians and specialists managing injured workers. The course is ideally suited for practicing medical providers, chiropractors and…




mp

Cross Examining Medical Professionals & Cumulative Trauma Litigation

"Cross Examining Medical Professionals & Cumulative Trauma Litigation" is an all-day program devoted to legal and medical-legal issues that defense attorneys are confronted with in every day practice.




mp

Work Comp Matters - Free Weekly Podcast - Episode 1

"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…




mp

Work Comp Matters - Free Weekly Podcast - Episode 2

"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…




mp

Work Comp Matters - Free Weekly Podcast - Episode 3

"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…




mp

Work Comp Matters - Free Weekly Podcast - Episode 4

"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…




mp

Work Comp Matters - Free Weekly Podcast - Episode 10: Business Relationships

"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…




mp

Work Comp Matters - Free Weekly Podcast - Episode 11: Death

"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…




mp

Work Comp Matters - Free Weekly Podcast - Episode 12: Hiring and Firing

"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…




mp

2017 San Diego Work Comp Special

This course provides essential updates and specific tools for workers' compensation professionals residing in or near San Diego, CA. Instructors will discuss liens, case law updates and the impact SB…




mp

Work Comp Matters - Free Weekly Podcast - Episode 13: Marketing and Advertising

"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…




mp

Work Comp Matters - Free Weekly Podcast - Episode 14: Judges

"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…




mp

Work Comp Matters - Free Weekly Podcast - Episode 15: What's News

"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…




mp

Work Comp Matters - Free Weekly Podcast - Episode 16: Artificial Intelligence

"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…




mp

Work Comp Matters - Free Weekly Podcast - Episode 17: Fraud

"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…




mp

Work Comp Matters - Free Weekly Podcast - Episode 18: Marijuana

"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…