Blog - Lastest News from Work Comp Staffing Solutions
States Step Up Vocational Comp Coverage
More states are aiming to require workers’ compensation coverage for those enrolled in career apprenticeships and technical schools. Most recently, Indiana, Oklahoma and Wyoming sought to join states where the coverage is…
WCAB Errs in Finding Injured Worker’s Request for QME Panel Premature
A California appellate court ruled that the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board erroneously found a worker’s request for a qualified medical evaluator panel to be premature. Case: Trigueros v. WCAB (Gonzalez Ag.
Reinisch Wilson Weier Holding Comp Webinars in April
Workers’ compensation defense firm Reinisch Wilson Weier PC is hosting free webinars in April covering topics that include joint injuries, new independent medical examiner rules and spinal conditions. Sara Wong On…
Supreme Court Says Rotator Cuff Tear Qualifies as Scheduled ‘Shoulder’ Injury
In a case of first impression, the Iowa Supreme Court ruled that a worker’s rotator cuff tear was a scheduled shoulder injury following a statutory amendment for determining the award…
Split Supreme Court Clarifies Deadline for Worker to Seek Additional Benefits
A divided Arkansas Supreme Court ruled that a worker who sought additional medical benefits within one year of his last receipt of disability benefits timely filed his claim. Case: Wynne v.
Lawmakers Seek to Protect Injured Workers’ Mental Health Records
Colorado lawmakers could consider legislation that would require workers’ compensation insurers and self-insured employers to protect injured workers' mental health records. HB 1354, introduced Thursday, defines "mental health records" as psychological…
Marketer to Pay $3.3M for Compound Prescription Scheme
Prosecutors in Indiana announced that a medical marketer from California was ordered to pay $3.3 million in restitution after pleading guilty to paying kickbacks to physicians who prescribed compound drugs…
Commissioner Approves 6.25% Loss Cost Reduction
Pennsylvania acting Insurance Commissioner Michael Humphreys on Friday approved a 6.25% reduction in workers’ compensation loss costs. Commissioner Michael Humphreys Loss costs are a component in determining work comp rates, and…
Court Rejects Carrier’s Challenge to Delivery Driver’s Award for Head Injuries
A New York appellate court upheld the denial of an insurance carrier’s challenge to an award to an injured delivery driver. Case: Matter of Belfiore v. Penske Logistics LLC, No. 533503,…
Worker Forfeits Award by Failing to Disclose Disc Jockey Job
A New York appellate court upheld a forfeiture of benefits to a worker for failing to fully disclose his work as a disc jockey and his ability to lift heavy…
Audits Lead to $95,750 in Fines for UROs; High Scores Save Administrators From Penalties
The California Division of Workers’ Compensation fined nine utilization review organizations a combined $95,750 for violations uncovered during 2021 audits. At the same time, while the division identified 75 violations in…
Bill Would Allow Governor to Name Agency to Manage CURES Database
California lawmakers are considering legislation that would require Gov. Gavin Newsom to designate a new agency to manage the state’s prescription drug monitoring database. The Department of Justice currently runs the…