Blog - Lastest News from Work Comp Staffing Solutions
Pinnacol Names Dr. Gabriel Lockhart Senior Medical Director
Colorado's Pinnacol Assurance named Dr. Gabriel Lockhart senior medical director. Dr. Gabriel Lockhart Lockhart brings to the new position experience from serving as medical director of the intensive care unit and…
Widow Not Entitled to Line-of-Duty Death Benefits for Retired Firefighter’s Fatal Heart Attack
The Minnesota Court of Appeals upheld the denial of a widow's claim for line-of-duty death benefits for a retired firefighter’s fatal heart attack. Case: In the Matter of Jones, No. A25-0443,…
Circuit Court Errs in Setting Aside Commission’s Finding on Causation
The Illinois Appellate Court ruled that a circuit court judge should not have overturned a decision by the Workers’ Compensation Commission that found a worker’s cervical spine injury was not causally…
Supreme Court Rejects Worker’s Left Shoulder Claim After Injury to Right
The West Virginia Supreme Court upheld a determination that a worker who injured his right shoulder on the job failed to establish a compensable injury to his left shoulder. Case: Cella…
Court Overturns Summary Judgment for Worker on Labor Law Claim
A New York appellate court overturned a grant of summary judgment for a worker on his Labor Law claim and for dismissal of the affirmative defenses. Case: Blachowicz v. City of New…
DWC Updates DMEPOS Section of Fee Schedule
The California Division of Workers' Compensation posted an order adjusting a section of the Official Medical Fee Schedule to conform to fourth quarter changes in the Medicare payment system. The DWC…
Supreme Court Finds Worker Entitled to Additional Treatment, TTD
The West Virginia Supreme Court ruled that a worker was entitled to additional treatment and temporary total disability benefits for a knee injury. Case: ACNR Resources Inc. v. Price, No. 25-111,…
Court Upholds PPD Award for Injured Truck Driver
The Missouri Court of Appeals upheld an award of permanent partial disability benefits to an injured truck driver. Case: Byers v. New Prime Inc., No. SD38916, 09/24/2025, published. Facts: Robert Byers worked…
Average Monthly Wage Properly Excludes Higher Earnings From Prior Position
The Arizona Court of Appeals upheld the calculation of a worker’s average monthly wage based on his actual income before his injury, not the higher earnings he had in a…
Worker Not Entitled to Fees Payable From Penalty Assessed on Employer
A New York appellate court upheld a determination that a worker was not entitled to an award of fees payable from a penalty imposed on his employer. Case: Matter of Cabrera…
Supreme Court Upholds Denial of PPD for Worker With COVID-19 Complications
The West Virginia Supreme Court upheld a denial of permanent partial disability benefits to a worker for her COVID-19 infection and post-COVID syndrome. Case: Blevins v. Princeton Community Hospital Association, No.
Second Injury Fund Not Liable for PTD Benefits to Blind Worker With Foot Injury
The Missouri Court of Appeals ruled that the Second Injury Fund was not liable for permanent total disability benefits to a blind worker who suffered a foot injury. Case: Easley v.