A New Orleans firemen’s association and other labor advocates are raising concerns after the city government used its expansive crime camera network to contest a workers’ compensation claim and justify the termination of three city employees, which only came to light because the footage was mentioned in hearings when the employees challenged their terminations before a city commission. The Lens (New Orleans)
Horse-racing: California workers’ comp program launching mandatory exercise rider certification exam
Exercise riders in California will need to pass a certification test based on the British National Racing College’s jockey fitness test, by March 31 in order to remain eligible for the industry’s Post Time workers’ compensation program. The exam consists of seven exercises encompassing upper body, lower body, and cardiovascular exercises. Trainers with Post Time insurance will only be able to employ certified exercise riders after that date. Paulick Report/Thoroughbred Daily News
Workers’ comp bill introduced in Washington Legislature
In Washington, unmarried employees who file workers’ compensation claims make on average 5 percent less than their married counterparts, regardless of how many children the employee has. Additionally, married employees who file temporary or permanent claims get an extra $10 per month while receiving monthly payments, something unmarried employees are not entitled to. A new bill in the Washington Senate would align the rates, regardless of marital status. The Olympian
Staten Island man accused of falsifying COVID-19 test results for workers’ comp benefits
A 23-year-old Staten Island, New York man, who worked as a part-time kitchen service employee in at a nursing home, has been indicted for allegedly falsifying multiple COVID-19 test results in 2020 to obtain workers’ compensation. He submitted a total of six fabricated positive test results to the insurance carrier in addition to a June 2020 false medical note, according to authorities. WKBW
CDC says natural immunity outperformed vaccines against delta strain
Natural immunity from prior infection granted stronger levels of protection against the Delta variant of COVID-19 than vaccination alone, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in a study released Wednesday. The study examined four categories of people: unvaccinated and vaccinated who survived a previous COVID-19 infection; and unvaccinated and vaccinated who had never been infected, in California and New York, between May and November 2021. Daily Caller