Quote of the day
“This is how North Dakota’s workman’s compensation system is the cheapest by half in the nation – we don’t cover injured workers. And the social cost is horrendous. If we treated them in a timely manner, the cost is really not very high. But we allow these things to go on and on and build – and then we get people in a case where really it becomes a chronic condition that takes years to overcome.”
North Dakota state Rep. Marvin Nelson
Mental health help for North Dakota teachers?
North Dakota teachers say the daily fear of being hurt in the classroom is leading to more staff turnover. According to a state legislator, school districts that are discussing workers’ compensation for covering educators’ mental health needs don’t know how the system works, but if local school districts are hit with enough expensive lawsuits, workers’ compensation rules may be amended to cover mental injuries. Valley News Live (Fargo, N.D.) [with video]
Pennsylvania House panel considers workers’ comp bill
A Pennsylvania House committee on Monday discussed a bill that would set ground rules for the handling of workers’ compensation cases caused by long-term exposure to asbestos and other toxic substances. The bill’s sponsor says it’s the result of a 2013 court ruling that allows for the potential of an employer to be sued due to claims involving occupational diseases filed 300 weeks from diagnosis or detection of an illness. Altoona Mirror
Brewery employee alleges he was terminated after on-the-job injury
A Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania man has filed a lawsuit in federal court against his employer, a brewery company, alleging he lost his job as a machine operator after he injured his head and neck while operating a palletizer jack. According to the lawsuit, he fell unconscious while sitting in his car after the accident and was suspended for sleeping in his vehicle, began the process to file a workers’ compensation claim and was terminated less than a week after his injury. PennRecord
Michigan: New no-fault bill would allow opt-out of medical coverage
Michigan Senate Republicans on Tuesday introduced a no-fault insurance reform bill that, among other provisions, would impose the workers’ compensation fee schedule on hospitals, rehabilitation clinics and doctors who treat injuries sustained in an auto accident. Crain’s Detroit Business
Rhode Island panel picks 5 candidates for workers’ comp court
The Rhode Island Judicial Nominating Commission has forwarded the names of five lawyers: Monique A. Desormier; Hagop S. Jawharjian; Jeffrey Liptrot; Kevin B. Reall; and Michael A. St. Pierre to Gov. Gina Raimondo as candidates to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Janette A. Bertness from the state’s Workers’ Compensation Court. Providence Journal