The paid family and medical leave landscape has become more complex and state-by-state differences remain, but employers can take proactive steps to streamline their policies. In the world of accommodations for injured or disabled employees, training…
A recent ruling by the California Court of Appeal (Castro-Ramirez v. Dependable Highway Express, Inc. (2016) 2 Cal. App. 5th 1028) increases the sphere of influence of the state’s Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) to include reasonable accommo…
The United States Supreme Court has ruled in a 5-4 decision that same-sex couples have the right to marry anywhere in the United States. This decision just made life easier for employers and TPAs who are responsible for administering leaves. We can…
Recently there has been a lot of discussion – in the media and throughout the industry – about the California independent medical review (IMR) process. Introduced to the workers’ compensation system in California as part of Senate Bill 863, IMR serve…
When I began discussing medical marijuana as an emerging workers’ compensation issue more than five years ago, it had only been legalized in 12 states. In 2012, Colorado and Washington legalized the sale of marijuana for recreational use. Today, 23 s…
On August 13, 2014 Miami-Dade 11th Circuit Judge Jorge Cueto in Florida Workers’ Advocates v. State of Florida held that the Florida Workers’ Compensation Act, as amended effective October 1, 2003, is unconstitutional as long as it contains the exclu…
On December 16, 2013, the Oklahoma Supreme Court ruled 7 to 1 that Senate Bill 1062, which was signed by Governor Mary Fallin on May 6, 2013, "is not unconstitutional as a multiple subject bill." The high court in the case, Coates et al vs. Fallin, N…
Oklahoma passed a workers' compensation reform bill on April 30, 2013 – Senate Bill 1062 overhauls the entire Oklahoma workers' compensation system. The bill consists of three different parts: 1. The Administrative Workers' Compensation Act …
The opportunity to channel care in Illinois through the use of a preferred provider program (PPP) is ready for implementation. This legislation was enacted as one of many efforts to allow for better direction of care and care delivery for employers a…
As I write this, Governor Christie has just vetoed a proposed change to the New Jersey workers' compensation statute that would have guaranteed benefits to a particular interest group and liberalized the law further in his state. I make no judgment a…