Category: Case comment

Oct 6, 2020

Correctional Officer's PTSD Claim Fails under NY's Objective Standard of Stress

Reiterating New York’s adherence to an objective, rather than a subjective standard with regard to stress-related claims, a state appellate court affirmed a determination by the state’s Workers’ Compensation Board...

Correctional Officer's PTSD Claim Fails under NY's Objective Standard of Stress Correctional Officer's PTSD Claim Fails under NY's Objective Standard of Stress
Oct 1, 2020

Illinois Supreme Court Clarifies Rule Regarding Injuries Stemming From Common Bodily Movements

The Supreme Court of Illinois reversed a decision of the Appellate Court, Workers’ Compensation Division, that in turn had affirmed a denial of benefits to a restaurant sous-chef who sustained...

Illinois Supreme Court Clarifies Rule Regarding Injuries Stemming From Common Bodily Movements Illinois Supreme Court Clarifies Rule Regarding Injuries Stemming From Common Bodily Movements
Sep 30, 2020

Wyoming Claim Involving Flesh-Eating Bacteria Not Barred by "Communicable Disease Exclusion"

The Supreme Court of Wyoming held a state district court did not err when it rejected a determination by Office of Administrative Hearings that a worker’s claim for a work-related...

Wyoming Claim Involving Flesh-Eating Bacteria Not Barred by "Communicable Disease Exclusion" Wyoming Claim Involving Flesh-Eating Bacteria Not Barred by "Communicable Disease Exclusion"
Sep 29, 2020

KY Widow Awarded Benefits For Husband's Death More than 10 Years After Injury

The Supreme Court of Kentucky, affirming an earlier decision by the state's Court of Appeals, held a widow was entitled to statutory income benefits under KRS 342.750(1)(a), in spite of...

KY Widow Awarded Benefits For Husband's Death More than 10 Years After Injury KY Widow Awarded Benefits For Husband's Death More than 10 Years After Injury
Sep 28, 2020

Oklahoma High Court Strikes Down Exclusive Remedy Rule for Non-Dependent Parents

The Supreme Court of Oklahoma, reversing a trial court's decision that had, pursuant to 12 O.S. 2011 §§1053A, granted summary judgment, in relevant part, to an employer sued in a...

Oklahoma High Court Strikes Down Exclusive Remedy Rule for Non-Dependent Parents Oklahoma High Court Strikes Down Exclusive Remedy Rule for Non-Dependent Parents
Sep 23, 2020

Illinois Court Says Action for Statutory Damages Under Biometric Act Not Barred by Exclusivity

Falling in line with several federal decisions that had earlier ruled on the issue, an Illinois appellate court held the exclusive remedy provisions of the state’s Workers’ Compensation Act do...

Illinois Court Says Action for Statutory Damages Under Biometric Act Not Barred by Exclusivity Illinois Court Says Action for Statutory Damages Under Biometric Act Not Barred by Exclusivity
Sep 22, 2020

District of Columbia's Public Sector Comp Act Does Not Provide Schedule Benefits for PTSD

The District of Columbia Court of Appeals held that a public-sector employee may not recover schedule benefits for PTSD pursuant to D.C. Code § 1-623.07 (2016 Repl.) since that statute...

District of Columbia's Public Sector Comp Act Does Not Provide Schedule Benefits for PTSD District of Columbia's Public Sector Comp Act Does Not Provide Schedule Benefits for PTSD
Sep 21, 2020

Michigan Employee's Massage Therapy Was Not Compensable

A Michigan appellate court vacated a ruling by the Michigan Compensation Appellate Commission (MCAC) requiring an employer to reimburse an injured employee for massage therapy services where the services were...

Michigan Employee's Massage Therapy Was Not Compensable Michigan Employee's Massage Therapy Was Not Compensable
Sep 18, 2020

Cautious Medical Opinion Sinks NY Worker's Knee Injury Claim

Acknowledging that medical opinion evidence need not be expressed with absolute or reasonable medical certainty, but stressing that it nevertheless needed to be based on more than a mere possibility,...

Cautious Medical Opinion Sinks NY Worker's Knee Injury Claim Cautious Medical Opinion Sinks NY Worker's Knee Injury Claim
Sep 17, 2020

Utah Rule Heightened Standard Regarding Preexisting Conditions Dooms Claim

Under Utah’s Allen standard, where the claimant suffers from a preexisting condition that contributes to the injury, the claimant is required to show an unusual or extraordinary exertion in order...

Utah Rule Heightened Standard Regarding Preexisting Conditions Dooms Claim Utah Rule Heightened Standard Regarding Preexisting Conditions Dooms Claim
Sep 16, 2020

California Employee's IIED Claim Against Employer for Inadequate COVID-19 Protocols Barred by Exclusivity

A federal district court in California recently held that a plaintiff’s claims against her former employer, a private operator of correctional facilities, for negligent supervision and intentional infliction of emotional...

California Employee's IIED Claim Against Employer for Inadequate COVID-19 Protocols Barred by Exclusivity California Employee's IIED Claim Against Employer for Inadequate COVID-19 Protocols Barred by Exclusivity
Sep 15, 2020

PA Court Says WCJ Erred in Failing to Award Attorney’s Fees to Claimant

The Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania recently reversed a decision of the state's Board and found, contrary to the findings of both a WCJ and the Board, that an employer violated...

PA Court Says WCJ Erred in Failing to Award Attorney’s Fees to Claimant PA Court Says WCJ Erred in Failing to Award Attorney’s Fees to Claimant