Quote of the day
"Everything from varicose veins to arthritis is covered in the second-injury fund."
South Carolina State Rep. Michael D. Thompson, who has submitted workers' compensation reform legislation
State Labor Officials Target High Desert
In the Victorville area, the California Department of Industrial Relations is conducting unannounced visits to businesses to verify that they are in compliance with all state and federal labor laws. The say the main violation they find is lack of workers’ compensation insurance. By Mitch Deacon, Victorville Daily Press
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West Covina Considers Lawyers’ Proposals
The West Covina City Council reviews proposals from several law firms seeking to represent the city in areas including workers’ compensation. By Frank C. Girardot, San Gabriel Valley Tribune
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Opinion: Anti-Lawyer Proposal Hits Injured Workers
The last time the Florida Legislature reformed the workers’ compensation system, it should have satisfied lobbyists who wanted to keep injured workers from getting anywhere if their claims are denied. The plan was to limit applicants’ attorneys’ fees, and Division of Workers Compensation statistics show that it’s working. By Tom Blackburn, Waco Tribune-Herald
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Blogworld: Do Sex Workers Deserve Workers’ Comp?
The case of an injured phone sex operator raises the question: should the morality of one’s job be an issue when interpreting employment law? By Emil Steiner, Washington Post [With Photo] Go to the Full Story…
Big Sky Farmer Says He Is Misinterpreted
A Montana farmer whose workers’ compensation premium rate quadrupled after an audit says he is a victim of misinterpretation of a new law, which explains liability of employers who contract work to independent contractors. By Shannon Ruckman, Prairie Star (Great Falls, Mont.)
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Clock Ticking on South Carolina Reform
With only about seven weeks left in South Carolia’s legislative session, the clock is ticking on legislators to pass some form of workers’ compensation reform. One proposal, House Bill 3799, would scale back the state’s second-injury fund to cover only three primary categories: loss of limb, loss of eyesight and certain back injuries. By Heidi Cenac, Independent Mail (Anderson S.C.)
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