Quote of the day
“Big government has unfortunately figured out a way to drive a firetruck through the loopholes in our legislative statute.”
Arizona state Sen. Sen. Heather Carter, regarding a 2017 law designed to ensure any firefighter diagnosed with certain kinds of cancer got coverage for medical bills as well as a percentage of what they were earning
Arizona officials target loophole for firefighters with cancer
Arizona lawmakers are looking to close a loophole in the law they say has allowed cities to deny workers’ compensation benefits to firefighters who have cancer. One significant gap is that the list of cancers presumed to be work-related does not include those normally associated with women, including breast and cervical cancer. Daily Independent
Four years later, New Jersey widow awaits workers’ comp
A New Jersey woman whose husband, a 49-year-old volunteer emergency medical technician who suffered a fatal heart attack four years ago while responding to a call, is still struggling to collect workers’ compensation. New Jersey Herald
New Mexico court denies workers’ comp to tribal casino employee
In a case involving a casino employee who suffered a knee injury while pushing chairs, the New Mexico Supreme Court unanimously ruled that at least some tribal casino workers cannot receive benefits through the state’s workers’ compensation program, which had dismissed the claim on grounds the pueblo cannot be sued in state court or administration proceedings without its consent. Washington Times
Construction fatalities spiking during Florida’s boom
Construction accidents are on the rise in Florida, according to the Labor Department. Since 2011, the fatality rate has risen 140 percent, to 101 fatalities in 2018. In a recent accident in West Palm Beach last week, formwork fell on a worker during heavy wind gusts. Palm Beach Post
States increased worker safety inspections in FY 2019
Workplace safety inspections by state agencies increased 2.3 percent in fiscal year 2019, according to new data. However, the 2019 total is below the level of two to five years earlier. Bloomberg Environment