Blog - Lastest News from Work Comp Staffing Solutions
Eligible IMR Applications Increase in 2024; UR Uphold Rate Drops to 87.3%
The number of eligible applications for independent medical review increased to 148,106 in 2024 from 133,093 in 2023, and the proportion of decisions affirming the underlying utilization review determination fell to…
Injured Worker Entitled to Additional Imaging, Physician Evaluation
West Virginia’s Intermediate Court of Appeals upheld a finding that an injured worker was entitled to additional imaging studies and an evaluation by another doctor. Case: Macy’s Retail Holdings Inc. v.
Worker Gets Summary Judgment on Labor Law Claim for Unwitnessed Scaffold Accident
A New York appellate court upheld summary judgment for a worker on his Labor Law claim for his unwitnessed scaffold accident. Case: Mederos v. 147 Amsterdam LLC, No. 152869/19, 04/01/2025, published. Facts:…
Governor Signs Bill to End TTD When Worker Released to Full Duty
Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte signed a bill allowing temporary total disability benefits to be terminated when an injured worker is released to full duty. Rep. Anthony Nicastro The governor on Monday…
DWC Updates Outpatient and Medical Goods Fee Schedules
The California Division of Workers’ Compensation updated sections of the Official Medical Fee Schedule covering outpatient procedures and medical goods to conform to changes in the Medicare payment system. The division…
Court Overturns Finding That Summer Camp Excursion Director Was Seasonal Employee
The Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania overturned a finding that a summer camp’s excursion director was a seasonal employee and a finding that he had not suffered a neck injury in…
Housekeeper Not Permanently Totally Disabled by Injuries, Depression
A New York appellate court upheld a finding that an injured housekeeper was not permanently and totally disabled by his physical injuries and consequential depression. Case: Matter of Serrano v. Bay…
Worker Not Entitled to Claim Expansion, Additional Treatment
West Virginia’s Intermediate Court of Appeals upheld a decision denying the expansion of a worker’s claim and for additional treatments. Case: Bragg v. Blue Creek Mining, No. 24-ICA-353, 03/24/2025, published. Facts: Danford…
WCD Implementing Quarterly Vocational Assistance Reviews
The Oregon Workers’ Compensation Division said it will conduct quarterly reviews to make certain that insurers and self-insured employers are conducting vocational assistance eligibility determinations, starting May 1. Oregon statute and administrative…
CHSWC Meets April 16
California’s labor-management panel is scheduled to meet in Sacramento on April 16. Members of the Commission on Health and Safety and Workers’ Compensation are slated to vote on posting for public…
WCC Updates Surety Bond, Letter of Credit Forms
The Oklahoma Workers’ Compensation Commission announced that revised forms for self-insured employers to file surety bonds and letters of credit will be mandatory, starting Sept. 1. The WCC said the revised…
Discrepancies, Delay in Reporting Sink Worker’s Claim
West Virginia’s Intermediate Court of Appeals upheld the denial of a worker’s claim of injury based on discrepancies in the date of its alleged occurrence and his delay in reporting…