Category: Case comment

May 20, 2019

NY’s Public Assistance Benefits Are Wages for Purposes of Computing Loss of Use Award

Public assistance benefits paid to participants in a New York work experience program (WEP) are “wages,” as that term is defined in the state’s Workers’ Compensation Law [N.Y. Workers’ Comp....

NY’s Public Assistance Benefits Are Wages for Purposes of Computing Loss of Use Award NY’s Public Assistance Benefits Are Wages for Purposes of Computing Loss of Use Award
May 17, 2019

Virginia Court Clarifies “Sudden Mechanical or Structural Change” Requirement

A Virginia appellate court, affirming a decision by the state’s Workers’ Compensation Commission, held that a claimant need only prove her accident caused one “sudden mechanical or structural change” to...

Virginia Court Clarifies “Sudden Mechanical or Structural Change” Requirement Virginia Court Clarifies “Sudden Mechanical or Structural Change” Requirement
May 16, 2019

Oregon Court Says Landlord Employers Are Immune From Tort Liability

An Oregon appellate court, construing a specialized exception to the exclusive remedy provision of the state’s Workers’ Compensation Law, agreed in relevant part with a trial court that the personal...

Oregon Court Says Landlord Employers Are Immune From Tort Liability Oregon Court Says Landlord Employers Are Immune From Tort Liability
May 15, 2019

Ohio Court Takes Broad View of “Arising Out of Employment”

Owner/Employee’s Injuries in Wreck Were Work-Related Despite Fact That Meeting’s Purpose Was Tangential Injuries sustained in an auto accident by the owner/employee of a commercial-vehicle tire changing service as the...

Ohio Court Takes Broad View of “Arising Out of Employment” Ohio Court Takes Broad View of “Arising Out of Employment”
May 14, 2019

Divided Iowa Supreme Court Says TPAs Are Immune from Common Law Bad Faith Claims

In a signficantly divided (5-2) decision, the Supreme Court of Iowa, answering a question certified to it from the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Iowa, held that,...

Divided Iowa Supreme Court Says TPAs Are Immune from Common Law Bad Faith Claims Divided Iowa Supreme Court Says TPAs Are Immune from Common Law Bad Faith Claims
May 10, 2019

Open Court Settlement Stipulation Binds Parties in NY Civil Action

Plaintiffs May Not Back Out Because They Didn’t Account for Workers’ Comp Lien and Medicare Set-Aside An open-court stipulation of settlement in a New York trial court is an independent...

Open Court Settlement Stipulation Binds Parties in NY Civil Action Open Court Settlement Stipulation Binds Parties in NY Civil Action
May 9, 2019

Missouri Court Says Medical “Expert” Need Not be an M.D.

Opinion of Audiologist With Ph.D. Trumps Opinion of M.D. A Missouri appellate court has affirmed a decision of the state’s Labor and Industrial Relations Commission awarding permanent partial disability benefits...

Missouri Court Says Medical “Expert” Need Not be an M.D. Missouri Court Says Medical “Expert” Need Not be an M.D.
May 7, 2019

Florida Talent Payroll Services Firm is “Similar Agent” Under “Employer” Statute

While Not an “Employee Leasing Company,” It Qualified as “Employer” A Florida appellate court held that a talent payroll services firm, while not an “employee leasing company,” was nevertheless an...

Florida Talent Payroll Services Firm is “Similar Agent” Under “Employer” Statute Florida Talent Payroll Services Firm is “Similar Agent” Under “Employer” Statute
May 6, 2019

Iowa Statute Granting Immunity to Carriers for Faulty Inspections is Constitutional

Last Friday, the Supreme Court of Iowa, affirming a trial court’s earlier decision, held that Iowa Code § 517.5 (2017), which provides immunity to insurance companies and their inspectors from...

Iowa Statute Granting Immunity to Carriers for Faulty Inspections is Constitutional Iowa Statute Granting Immunity to Carriers for Faulty Inspections is Constitutional
May 3, 2019

Virginia Court Says Fear of Needles Isn’t Enough to Warrant Change in MDs

The Court of Appeals of Virginia recently affirmed a decision by the state’s Workers’ Compensation Commission that denied a claimant’s petition to change her treating physician where the physician indicated...

Virginia Court Says Fear of Needles Isn’t Enough to Warrant Change in MDs Virginia Court Says Fear of Needles Isn’t Enough to Warrant Change in MDs
May 2, 2019

Utah Court: Unusual Exertion Required if Claimant Has Preexisting Condition

Court Discusses Important Distinction Between “Legal” and “Medical” Causation Stepping lightly through the difficult mine field of “legal causation,” a Utah appellate court affirmed a decision by the state’s Labor...

Utah Court: Unusual Exertion Required if Claimant Has Preexisting Condition Utah Court: Unusual Exertion Required if Claimant Has Preexisting Condition
May 1, 2019

Assault on NYC Subway Employee Exiting Train Did Not Occur In Course of Employment

Employee Had Clocked Out and Traveled Six Stops Toward His Home Where a New York City subway train cleaner clocked out at the end of his shift, left his assigned...

Assault on NYC Subway Employee Exiting Train Did Not Occur In Course of Employment Assault on NYC Subway Employee Exiting Train Did Not Occur In Course of Employment