workers’ compensation News

Claimants Out of Work More Likely to Die or Develop Serious Health Issues: Study

When workers drop out of the workforce due to a debilitating injury, they are more likely to develop serious health problems and an elevated risk of death, studies by West Virginia University researchers have shown. “The results suggest that disability …

Florida House Votes to Loosen Child Labor Laws a Year After Tougher Immigrant Statute

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — A year after Florida enacted a law making it more difficult for employers to hire immigrants illegally, a move that has reportedly exacerbated a labor shortage and has added to property insurance repair costs, the state …

Georgia Bill Would Expand PTSD Help for Responders But Not Through Workers’ Comp

After three years of starts and stops, a bill is moving through the Georgia legislature that would provide mental stress benefits for first responders – not through workers’ compensation but through a relatively new type of supplemental insurance program. So …

Inpatient Hospitalizations in California Workers’ Comp Declined 51%, Study Shows

The number of inpatient hospitalizations in the California workers’ compensation system declined 51.1% between 2012 and 2022, a new report shows. The trend was driven by declining claim volume, technological advances and changes in Medicare rules that allow more outpatient …

Virginia Police Officer Denied Workers’ Compensation Despite Statutory Presumption

A Virginia police officer has been denied workers’ compensation benefits for a heart condition despite the state law that his condition is presumed to be work-related. The Virginia Workers’ Compensation Commission (VWCC) has ruled that the officer’s public university employer, …

Webster Bank Closes Acquisition of Medical Claims Firm Ametros

Connecticut-based Webster Bank has completed the acquisition of Ametros Financial Corp., a firm that administers medical claims settlements. Ametros provides post-settlement medical administration for those receiving funds from workers’ compensation and liability settlements though a technology platform, CareGuard. CareGuard provides …

School Crossing Guard Beats City’s Bid to Stop Her Workers ‘ Compensation Benefits

The Virginia city of Chesapeake has lost its bid to deny workers’ compensation medical benefits to a school crossing guard who injured her wrist when she fell while keeping her eyes on children around her crosswalk The city argued that …

New Jersey Expands Workers’ Compensation for First Responders

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy recently signed into law a change in workers’ compensation coverage for volunteer and professional public safety and law enforcement personnel. The new law (A-5909/S-4267) amends current workers’ compensation law to add that a response to …

OSHA Fines Mississippi Poultry Plant $212,646 in Death of 16-year-old Worker

The Occupational Health and Safety Administration this week fined a Mississippi poultry processor $212,646 – an amount set by law – after a 16-year-old was pulled to his death inside a deboning machine last summer. Mar-Jac Poultry MS LLC in …

Indiana Bill Would Allow Employees to Select Physician in Workers’ Comp Cases

An Indiana lawmaker has proposed a bill that would allow employees to choose their attending physician in workers’ compensation cases. Rep. Charles Moseley, a Democrat, introduced House Bill 1246 this week, which would permit an injured worker to choose a …