workers’ compensation News

9th Circuit Lifts Stay on Labor Law Classifying Truck Drivers as Employees

A federal appellate court on April 28 reversed a ruling that prevented California from enforcing a new labor law that trucking companies contend will force them to discontinue the use of independent owner-operators and classify all drivers as employees. In …

Milwaukee Area Water Technology Facility Faces $234K in OSHA Penalties

Federal workplace safety officials have cited a water technology company after an employee was injured when a guardrail loosened and he fell and struck his head on a support beam as he lowered himself into a nearly 30-foot deep water …

Wisconsin Governor Signs Emergency Responder Workers’ Comp Bill

Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers has signed a bipartisan bill that makes it easier for emergency responders suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder to file workers’ compensation claims. Right now, police and firefighters can claim workers’ compensation for PTSD but they must …

Texas Bill Would Require Disclosure on ‘Occupational Insurance’ Policies

Texas legislation requiring an occupational insurance policy to include a specified disclosure statement clarifying the policy is not a workers’ compensation policy has passed the state House of Representatives. House Bill 3769 by Rep. John Smithee, District 86, “amends the …

New York Launches Injured Workers Legal Assistance Project to Assist with Comp Claims

The New York State Workers’ Compensation Board has launched its first-ever legal assistance project to help injured workers obtain medical treatment, the Injured Workers Legal Assistance Project (IWLAP). Now, injured workers can complete an online form maintained by the New …

No Delays Found in Medical Care for Workers’ Compensation Claimants During COVID

Despite potential obstacles posed by the coronavirus pandemic, injured workers experienced no meaningful delays in access to medical treatment under their employers’ workers’ compensation programs during the pandemic. Research from the Workers’ Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) also shows that states …

Cal/OSHA Cites Company $108K in Fatal Pressure Vessel Incident

Cal/OSHA has cited Sierra Pacific Industries $108,300 for workplace safety and health violations after one of its employees was fatally injured when a pipeline on an air compressor exploded. On September 17, an employee working for Sierra Pacific Industries in …

Oklahoma Bill Would Create Workers’ Comp Assigned Risk Plan

A bill working its way through the Oklahoma Legislature would allow for the creation of an assigned risk plan providing workers’ compensation insurance. Senate Bill 524 would also repeal the CompSource Mutual Insurance Company Act; CompSource Mutual is currently the …

Illinois Lighting Company Faces $85K in OSHA Penalties for Worker Injuries

Federal workplace safety officials have cited an Illinois lighting manufacturer with workplace safety violations and imposed $85,000 in penalties after an employee suffered severe facial burns. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration said a master maintenance technician for North American …

Wisconsin Food Plant Worker Sues ConAgra After Contracting COVID-19

A food plant employee is suing his Walworth County, Wisconsin, employer alleging he contracted the coronavirus at work and infected his wife who died from the disease. Rigoberto Ruiz, of Beloit, says ConAgra Foods didn’t enforce a policy to ensure …