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DOL Session to Discuss Benefits for Nuclear Weapons Workers

The U.S. Department of Labor will host an informational session in Lisle, Illinois, to discuss benefits available under the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Act. The program provides lump-sum payments and…




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Railway Worker Loses Challenge to Dismissal of Retaliation Claim

The U.S. 8th Circuit Court of Appeals denied review of a railway worker’s challenge to the dismissal of his claim he had been terminated in retaliation for his successful pursuit…




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Attorney Can't Seek Fees After Client Settles LHWCA Claim

A federal appellate court ruled that the former attorney for a claimant seeking benefits under the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act could not seek an award of fees after…




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Court Upholds Denial of Miner's Third Claim for Black Lung Benefits

A federal appellate court upheld the denial of a coal miner’s third claim for black lung benefits. Case: Hitt v. OWCP, No. 23-1916, 08/15/2024, unpublished. Facts: Robert Hitt worked in the coal…




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DOL Orders Compensation for Workers Fired Over Safety Concerns, Misclassified as Contractors

The U.S. Labor Department said it received more than $350,000 in back wages for workers at a Michigan construction company who were misclassified as contractors and for a truck driver…




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Statute of Limitations Ends Inquiry Into Senator's Comp Claim

The Connecticut Division of Criminal Justice said it ended an inquiry into a state senator who allegedly did not disclose that he was working while collecting workers’ compensation benefits, saying…




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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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Senators Float Classifying Substance Abuse as Occupational Hazard

Two senators in Connecticut announced plans to introduce legislation that would treat substance abuse as an occupational hazard. “If a worker is injured on the job, they receive treatment, but if…




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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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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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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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Board Applies Wrong Compensability Standard to Asbestos Claim

The West Virginia Intermediate Court of Appeals ruled that the Workers’ Compensation Board of Review erred in applying the standard of compensability for occupational pneumoconiosis to a widow’s claim for…




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Employer Loses Challenge to Deadlines for Contesting Black Lung Claims

A federal appellate court rejected an employer’s challenge to the deadlines for submitting evidence to contest its liability for black lung benefits. Case: Hobet Mining Co. v. Workman, No. 23-1126, 08/02/2024,…




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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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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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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 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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Worker Not Entitled to Expand Claim, Receive Additional MRI

West Virginia’s Intermediate Court of Appeals upheld the denial of a worker’s request to expand his claim and for authorization for a magnetic resonance imaging scan. Case: Hill v. Lowe's Home…




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Court Denies Worker's Request to Expand Claim

West Virginia’s Intermediate Court of Appeals upheld the denial of a worker’s request to expand his claim to include additional conditions. Case: Justice v. Transwood, No. 24-ICA-57, 09/04/2024, unpublished. Facts: Keven Justice…




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Court Reopens Worker's Claim, Orders Development of Additional Evidence

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…




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Court Upholds Denial of Worker's Request to Expand Claim

West Virginia’s Intermediate Court of Appeals ruled that a worker was not entitled to expand the scope of his claim to include additional conditions. Case: Hawkins v. Bimbo Bakeries Inc., No.




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Supreme Court Upholds Denial of Worker's Occupational Pneumoconiosis Claim

The West Virginia Supreme Court upheld the denial of a worker’s occupational pneumoconiosis claim. Case: Lewis v. Columbia West Virginia Corp., No. 23-616, 09/23/2024, published. Facts: Jackie W. Lewis Sr. worked for…




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Supreme Court Upholds Denial of Worker's Request to Expand Claim, Undergo Additional Imaging

The West Virginia Supreme Court upheld the denial of a request to expand the scope of a worker’s claim and for additional imaging. Case: Cook v. Cecil I. Walker Machinery Co.,…




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Supreme Court Upholds Denial of Worker's Request to Reopen Claim

The West Virginia Supreme Court upheld the denial of a worker’s request to reopen her claim for temporary total disability benefits, additional medications and a referral to a rheumatologist. Case: Blevins…




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Worker Fails to Link Concussion Claim to Actions of Child Tapping Head

West Virginia’s Intermediate Court of Appeals upheld the denial of a school worker’s claim of injury from a child tapping her on the head. Case: Hill v. Wyoming County Board of…




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Federal Court Upholds Summary Dismissal of Mechanic's Disability Discrimination Claim

A federal appellate court upheld the summary dismissal of an injured mechanic’s claim for disability discrimination. Case: Goosen v. Minnesota Department of Transportation, No. 23-2360, 06/24/2024, published. Facts: Robert Wayne Goosen worked…




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Labor Department: Electronic Medical Records Update Includes Penalty

The Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry announced that starting Aug. 1, a new penalty of $500 can be assessed to health care provider agents who violate certain laws relating…




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Supervisor Gets Summary Judgment Dismissing Civil Suit Over Motor Vehicle Accident

The Minnesota Court of Appeals upheld the summary dismissal of a worker’s civil suit against his supervisor for his injuries from motor vehicle accident caused when the supervisor fell asleep…




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Pinnacol Urges Vigilance for Vehicle Safety

Colorado’s Pinnacol Assurance urged the state’s employers to be proactive in reviewing and enhancing their vehicle safety protocols, saying heavily traveled roads during summer months increase the risk of accidents. Pinnacol…




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Exclusivity Doesn't Bar Worker From Suing Employer's Auto Insurance Carrier

The Colorado Supreme Court ruled that when a worker is injured in the course of his employment by the acts of an underinsured third-party tortfeasor, workers’ compensation exclusivity does not bar him…




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Split Court Overturns Finding That Injured Cop Can Claim UM/UIM Benefits

A divided Texas appellate court overturned a grant of summary judgment finding that an injured police officer was entitled to uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage under her own policy for an accident…




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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,…




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Split Court Upholds Dismissal of Widow's Intentional Tort Claims Arising from Out-of-State Accident

A divided Texas appellate court upheld the summary dismissal of a widow’s intentional tort claims arising from her husband’s fatal motor vehicle accident in Oklahoma. Justin Schneider worked for QES Pressure…




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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,…




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Court Revives Worker's Challenge to Partial Denial of Claim

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…




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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…




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No Benefits for Worker's Motorcycle Death

A Texas appellate court ruled that a worker’s death in a motorcycle accident while retrieving his company-issued laptop from home was not compensable. Michael Evans was a safety consultant for Xcel…




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TDI Posts Updates on Office Closures Due to Storm

The Texas Department of Insurance said it closed seven Division of Workers’ Compensation field offices along the Gulf Coast in response to Hurricane Beryl. The department said it closed both field…




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ICT Sets Webinar on Social Media in Claims Resolution

The Insurance Council of Texas is holding a webinar Aug. 12 that will cover the use of social media when resolving workers’ compensation claims. Marci Reading, vice president of business development…




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Federal Court Sends Worker's Jones Act Claim Back to State Level

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…




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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…




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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…




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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…




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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…




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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…




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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…




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Court Publishes Decision Upholding $1.7 Million Judgment for Misclassification

The Washington Court of Appeals has granted a motion by the Department of Labor and Industries to order the publication of a decision that upheld a $1.7 million judgment against…




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Worker Failed to Perfect Appeal of Board Decision Denying Request to Reopen Claim

The Washington Court of Appeals upheld the denial of an injured worker’s request to reopen her claim due to her failure to timely perfect her appeal of the decision of…