Category: Case comment

Jul 15, 2025

Caught on Camera: Surveillance Undermines NC Claimant’s Testimony

Surveillance footage doesn’t always tell the whole story—but sometimes it tells just enough. In a recent decision, the Court of Appeals upheld the state Industrial Commission’s denial of workers’ compensation...

Caught on Camera: Surveillance Undermines NC Claimant’s Testimony Caught on Camera: Surveillance Undermines NC Claimant’s Testimony
Jul 14, 2025

Who Sets the Fee? Two New Mexico Decisions Clarify the State’s Comp Law

Two recent decisions from the New Mexico Supreme Court—Pena v. State, 2025-NMSC-007, 2025 N.M. LEXIS 138 (June 27, 2025), and Hanrahan v. State, 2025-NMSC-008, 2025 N.M. LEXIS 139 (June 27,...

Who Sets the Fee? Two New Mexico Decisions Clarify the State’s Comp Law Who Sets the Fee? Two New Mexico Decisions Clarify the State’s Comp Law
Jul 8, 2025

Maryland High Court Bars Wrongful Death Suit Against Employer by Non-Dependent Child

In a case of first impression, a deeply divided (4–3) Maryland Supreme Court recently held that the exclusive remedy provisions of the state’s Workers' Compensation Act bar a wrongful death...

Maryland High Court Bars Wrongful Death Suit Against Employer by Non-Dependent Child Maryland High Court Bars Wrongful Death Suit Against Employer by Non-Dependent Child
Jul 7, 2025

PA Court: Good Faith COVID Vaccination Refusal Doesn’t Amount to Wilful Misconduct

A recent decision from the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania offers important guidance for workers’ compensation practitioners navigating COVID-19 vaccination mandate disputes. The court held that an employee’s well-documented religious and...

PA Court: Good Faith COVID Vaccination Refusal Doesn’t Amount to Wilful Misconduct PA Court: Good Faith COVID Vaccination Refusal Doesn’t Amount to Wilful Misconduct
Jul 1, 2025

Louisiana Supreme Court Narrows State’s “Manual Labor Exception”

The Louisiana Supreme Court recently clarified the scope of the state’s unique “manual labor exception” to workers’ compensation immunity, holding that the exception does not extend to the employees or...

Louisiana Supreme Court Narrows State’s “Manual Labor Exception” Louisiana Supreme Court Narrows State’s “Manual Labor Exception”
Jun 26, 2025

Florida JCC Must Approve Fee Stipulation Absent Legitimate Grounds to Invalidate Agreement

In Fox v. Sarasota County School Board, 2025 Fla. App. LEXIS 4851 (Fla. 1st DCA June 25, 2025), the Florida First District Court of Appeal reversed a Judge of Compensation...

Florida JCC Must Approve Fee Stipulation Absent Legitimate Grounds to Invalidate Agreement Florida JCC Must Approve Fee Stipulation Absent Legitimate Grounds to Invalidate Agreement
Jun 24, 2025

NY Court: Attorney Fees Must Reflect Actual Claimant Recovery

The New York Appellate Division, Third Department, has resolved an important fee calculation issue for workers’ compensation practitioners. In Matter of Cooper v. New York City Health & Hospital Corp.,...

NY Court: Attorney Fees Must Reflect Actual Claimant Recovery NY Court: Attorney Fees Must Reflect Actual Claimant Recovery
Jun 23, 2025

NC Court Rejects “Woodson” Claim After Zirconium Explosion Death

In a tragic case involving a fatal explosion at a metal processing plant, the North Carolina Court of Appeals reversed a trial court’s refusal to grant summary judgment to the...

NC Court Rejects “Woodson” Claim After Zirconium Explosion Death NC Court Rejects “Woodson” Claim After Zirconium Explosion Death
Jun 17, 2025

Florida Court Reinforces Exclusivity Doctrine and Procedural Requirements

In a case of apparent first impression, the Florida Fifth District Court of Appeal has held that employees may not unilaterally declare workplace injuries non-compensable under workers’ compensation law and...

Florida Court Reinforces Exclusivity Doctrine and Procedural Requirements Florida Court Reinforces Exclusivity Doctrine and Procedural Requirements
Jun 16, 2025

W. Va. Supreme Court Reinstates COVID-19 Award for Nurse

Might Awards for the Common Cold or Flu be Next? In Foster v. Primecare Med. of W. Va., Inc., 2025 W. Va. LEXIS 187 (W. Va. May 27, 2025), a...

W. Va. Supreme Court Reinstates COVID-19 Award for Nurse W. Va. Supreme Court Reinstates COVID-19 Award for Nurse
Jun 9, 2025

WA Supreme Court Overturns Decade-Old Precedent: Reopens Door for Asbestos Claims

In a major shift that reopens the door for occupational disease claims, the Washington Supreme Court has overruled its 2014 decision in Walston v. Boeing Co., 181 Wn.2d 391, 334 P.3d 519...

WA Supreme Court Overturns Decade-Old Precedent: Reopens Door for Asbestos Claims WA Supreme Court Overturns Decade-Old Precedent: Reopens Door for Asbestos Claims
Jun 3, 2025

Iowa High Court Says Gross Negligence/Fraud Claims Can Go Forward Against Tyson Executives

In an important decision construing the Iowa doctrine that allows gross negligence and fraudulent misrepresentation tort claims against co-employees, the Iowa Supreme Court has revived claims against Tyson Foods executives...

Iowa High Court Says Gross Negligence/Fraud Claims Can Go Forward Against Tyson Executives Iowa High Court Says Gross Negligence/Fraud Claims Can Go Forward Against Tyson Executives