A yearlong McClatchy public-records investigation of government construction projects spanning 28 states discovered widespread misclassification of construction workers' as independent contractors instead of employees (News & Observer, September 8, 2014). By misclassifying their employees, construction companies were able to undercut their law-abiding competitors while at the same time exploiting those desperate for work. As a [...]
A former volunteer firefighter who sustained burns and partial amputation of his fingers on both hands continues to suffer from PTSD, flashbacks and sleep disturbances. His pain management physician has ordered a genetic study to help understand how he reacts to treatment based on his genetic factors. Genetic testing in pain management is becoming more [...]
According to the 2012 Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality, nonmedical use of prescription drugs ranks as the second most common class of illicit drug use in the United States. After more than 10 years of debate and deliberation the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration has made a ruling that provides significant changes to hydrocodone [...]
According to The Denver Post (November 14, 2012), a 2009 class action lawsuit brought by 13,521 injured workers' against Wal-Mart and its service providers settled for $8 million after a three-year fight. Colorado state law prohibits outside interference in determining medical care. The suit alleged that the defendants, including Concentra Health Services, went too far [...]
According to a recent article in The New York Times (Sept. 1, 2014), more workers' are claiming wage theft by their employers. Worker advocates assert that violations of minimum wage and overtime laws, erasure of work hours and wrongful takings of employees’ tips are increasing in volume. David Weil is the director of the federal [...]
Today's post was shared by Gelman on Workplace Injuries and comes from nypost.comFirst responders and volunteers who helped with 9/11 recovery efforts have only a month left to register for future workers'’ compensation benefits in case they fall ill.More than 20,000 people could be eligible, but they must register before Sept. 12.The registration effort is [...]
Today's post comes from guest author Charlie Domer, from The Domer Law Firm.Workers do not have many rights. It's an unfortunate mantra I recite to many of my injured worker clients. Of course, union protections exist in certain settings. Protections against discrimination and harassment exist if unlawful conduct occurs. However, in most circumstances, Wisconsin employees [...]
Today's post was shared by The Workers' Injury Law & Advocacy Group and comes from www.post-gazette.comA lawsuit settlement made public Tuesday brings to $386,000 the total paid by the state in relation to lawsuits stemming from the hazing of sex-crime inmates on the State Correctional Institution Pittsburgh’s F Block.Robert Veith, 52, of the Hill District, [...]
“Decimated.” That is the word the Honorable Circuit Court Judge Jorge Cueto used to describe what’s left of Florida’s Workers’ Compensation Act after a series of reforms, notably in 2003, which attacked injured workers'’ rights and benefits. After 2003 Florida became one of the most restrictive workers'’ compensation jurisdictions in the nation. As it currently [...]
Today's post comes from guest author Rod Rehm, from Rehm, Bennett & Moore.Truck drivers have a remedy if fired for making a workers'’ compensation claim. A recent award of over $100,000 to a truck driver who was fired for making a workers'’ compensation claim illustrated the protection drivers have under the Surface Transportation Assistance Act [...]