Blog - Lastest News from Work Comp Staffing Solutions
Uninsured Employer, Sacramento Park Ranger Bills Head to Governor
California lawmakers voted to send Gov. Gavin Newsom bills that aim to help the state recover costs of claims filed against illegally uninsured employers and provide full-pay salary continuation benefits…
Cap on Reimbursement for Medical Claims Increasing to $2,600
Oregon employers can reimburse carriers for up to $2,600 in medical costs on accepted, nondisabling claims next year, the Division of Workers' Compensation announced. Businesses in Oregon can pay carriers for…
Judge’s Finding of COVID Compensability Overturned
The Kentucky Court of Appeals overturned a judge’s determination that a lineman’s COVID-19 infection was work-related due to an erroneous factual finding. Case: Thomas v. Russellville Electric Plant Board, No. 2025-CA-0540-WC,…
Initial Filing of PFB Doesn’t Toll Statute of Limitations After Voluntary Dismissal of Claims
A Florida appellate court ruled that if an employee voluntarily dismisses his petition for benefits before the employer’s acceptance of compensability or the adjudication of any entitlement, the initial filing…
Comp Statutes Preclude Daubert Challenges to EMA Opinions
In a case of first impression, a Florida appellate court ruled that the statutory governing procedures for workers’ compensation mediation and hearings preclude a Daubert challenge to expert medical adviser opinions. Case:…
Court Upholds Increase in Worker’s PPD Award for Back Injury
West Virginia’s Intermediate Court of Appeals upheld an increase in a worker’s permanent partial disability award for a back injury. Case: Alpha Metallurgical Resources Inc. v. Kincaid, No. 25-ICA-65, 08/29/2025, published. Facts:…
Defendants in Civil Suit Over Worker’s Electrocution Get Partial Summary Judgment
The Delaware Superior Court ruled that the defendants in a civil suit over a worker’s electrocution were entitled to partial summary judgment dismissing the claims against them and that the employer…
Worker’s Mileage Reimbursements Properly Excluded From AWW Calculation
The Kentucky Court of Appeals ruled that a worker’s average weekly wage was properly calculated as excluding the mileage reimbursements she received from her employer. Case: Harris v. Mercy Home Health,…
Jury’s Finding of Permanent Disability Not Grossly Excessive
The Maryland Appellate Court upheld a jury’s determination that a firefighter suffered a 63% permanent partial disability from a back injury. Case: Prince George’s County v. Schroeder, No. 1098, 09/02/2025, unpublished. Facts…
DWC Updates Fee Schedules
The California Division of Workers' Compensation announced fee schedule updates to conform to changes made by the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The division said it posted an order…
Claims Administrator Unreasonably Denies Reinstatement of Worker’s TTD
West Virginia’s Intermediate Court of Appeals ruled that a claims administrator unreasonably denied reinstatement of a worker’s temporary total disability benefits for failure to attend a medical evaluation. Case: Maxim Healthcare…
Gideon Baum Succeeds Alex Swedlow as CWCI President
Gideon Baum succeeded Alex Swedlow to become the fifth president of the California Workers' Compensation Institute, effective Monday. Gideon Baum Baum joined CWCI as chief operating officer in February 2024. CWCI…