Category: Case comment

May 13, 2020

Virginia High Court Says Permanent Impairment Computed Before, Not After, Hip Replacement Surgery

In a decision that is likely to raise some eyebrows, a divided Supreme Court of Virginia, affirming an earlier decision by a lower appellate court, held that an injured employee’s...

Virginia High Court Says Permanent Impairment Computed Before, Not After, Hip Replacement Surgery Virginia High Court Says Permanent Impairment Computed Before, Not After, Hip Replacement Surgery
May 12, 2020

NY Carrier Fails to Notify its Attorney of Claimant’s Application for Board Review and Loses Appeal

Illustrating what can happen when a workers' compensation carrier fails to notify its counsel of the carrier's receipt of important papers concerning a claim, a New York appellate court affirmed...

NY Carrier Fails to Notify its Attorney of Claimant’s Application for Board Review and Loses Appeal NY Carrier Fails to Notify its Attorney of Claimant’s Application for Board Review and Loses Appeal
May 11, 2020

Opinion Mondays: While We’re Adjusting Our COVID-19 Masks, Is the Grand Bargain Being Altered?

In a document published in February, the Congressional Research Service observed: “Workers’ compensation has been called a grand bargain between employers and workers … [under which] workers receive guaranteed, no-fault...

Opinion Mondays: While We’re Adjusting Our COVID-19 Masks, Is the Grand Bargain Being Altered? Opinion Mondays: While We’re Adjusting Our COVID-19 Masks, Is the Grand Bargain Being Altered?
May 8, 2020

Florida Employee Awarded PTD Benefits 17 Years After Retirement

In a case in which the original work-related injury occurred two decades before the appellate decision, a Florida appellate court held that a JCC erred in focusing on a claimant's...

Florida Employee Awarded PTD Benefits 17 Years After Retirement Florida Employee Awarded PTD Benefits 17 Years After Retirement
May 7, 2020

Injured VA Employee May Not Merely Accept Lowest-Paying Post-Injury Job and Recover Difference in Earnings

A Virginia appellate court recently affirmed a decision by the state's Workers' Compensation Commission that denied temporary partial disability benefits to an injured employee under Va. Code Ann. § 65.2-502,...

Injured VA Employee May Not Merely Accept Lowest-Paying Post-Injury Job and Recover Difference in Earnings Injured VA Employee May Not Merely Accept Lowest-Paying Post-Injury Job and Recover Difference in Earnings
May 5, 2020

New York's "Gray Area" Rule Does Not Aid Claimant Struck by Car Near Workplace

A New York appellate court affirmed a finding by the state’s Workers’ Compensation Board that a claimant/employee did not sustain injuries arising out of and in the course of his...

New York's "Gray Area" Rule Does Not Aid Claimant Struck by Car Near Workplace New York's "Gray Area" Rule Does Not Aid Claimant Struck by Car Near Workplace
May 1, 2020

Florida Court Says Cardiac Presumption Favoring Corrections Officer Was Rebutted

In a case that provides guidance for employers and carriers who seek to rebut the special presumption of compensability provided to firefighters and certain other “covered officers” (including corrections officers)...

Florida Court Says Cardiac Presumption Favoring Corrections Officer Was Rebutted Florida Court Says Cardiac Presumption Favoring Corrections Officer Was Rebutted
Apr 30, 2020

Washington Landscaper Denied Benefits After "Blowing" Twice the Legal Limit

In a decision not designated for publication, an appellate court from the state of Washington affirmed a jury’s determination that an injured worker was intoxicated to such an extent that...

Washington Landscaper Denied Benefits After "Blowing" Twice the Legal Limit Washington Landscaper Denied Benefits After "Blowing" Twice the Legal Limit
Apr 29, 2020

PA Commonwealth Court Reverses ALJ's Decision Awarding Unreasonable Contest Fees

In a decision that discusses the complex give and take between an injured Pennsylvania employee and an employer who contends that the employee no longer is entitled to a payment...

PA Commonwealth Court Reverses ALJ's Decision Awarding Unreasonable Contest Fees PA Commonwealth Court Reverses ALJ's Decision Awarding Unreasonable Contest Fees
Apr 28, 2020

Federal District Court Says Proximity of Firing to Filing Claim Was Alone Insufficient to Survive Employer’s Motion for Summary Judgment

Construing Colorado law, a federal district court granted, in relevant part, a former employer’s motion for summary judgment in a case filed against it for retaliatory discharge [Donez v. Leprino...

Federal District Court Says Proximity of Firing to Filing Claim Was Alone Insufficient to Survive Employer’s Motion for Summary Judgment Federal District Court Says Proximity of Firing to Filing Claim Was Alone Insufficient to Survive Employer’s Motion for Summary Judgment
Apr 24, 2020

NY Employer/Carrier May Preclude Medical Reports Without Enforcing Subpoenas

Yesterday, a New York appellate court held that the Board's decision to preclude medical reports of two of claimant's treating physicians was appropriate in spite of the fact that the...

NY Employer/Carrier May Preclude Medical Reports Without Enforcing Subpoenas NY Employer/Carrier May Preclude Medical Reports Without Enforcing Subpoenas
Apr 23, 2020

NY Claimant's False Representations Lead to Disqualification from Future Benefits

A New York appellate court affirmed a determination by a state Workers’ Compensation Law Judge, later upheld by New York’s Board, that disqualified a claimant from receiving future wage replacement...

NY Claimant's False Representations Lead to Disqualification from Future Benefits NY Claimant's False Representations Lead to Disqualification from Future Benefits