Idaho’s workers’ compensation rates decreasing 7 percent for 2022
The National Council on Compensation Insurance recently submitted its annual rate recommendation and, after review and discussion, the Idaho Department of Insurance has accepted a 7 percent reduction in rates, effective January 1, 2022. DailyFly
Minnesota justices rule workers’ comp can’t cover medical cannabis due to federal law
Workers’ compensation for injured employees doesn’t cover medical cannabis because the drug remains illegal under federal law, the Minnesota Supreme Court ruled Wednesday, overturning earlier decisions by the state Workers Compensation Court of Appeals’ that ordered employers to pay for medical cannabis to treat work-related injuries. The court noted Congress has prohibited the Department of Justice from interfering with state medical cannabis laws and that the federal government’s position on criminal prosecution of such offenses has been in “a state of flux.” WCCO (Minneapolis)
South Carolina Supreme Court issues landmark decision regarding contract workers
The South Carolina Supreme Court recently issued a landmark decision narrowing the statutory employee doctrine and increasing the likelihood companies can be held liable in tort for injuries suffered by their contractor or subcontractor workers. Employers should understand South Carolina’s statutory employee doctrine may no longer act as a shield against tort liability for injuries suffered by contract workers, writes Stephen Bell of Cranfill Sumner LLP. JD Supra
Louisiana state trooper on workers’ comp leave arrested, charged with intoxication manslaughter
A 45-year-old Louisiana state trooper who has been on workers’ compensation leave since 2017 has been arrested on charges of striking and killing a pedestrian with his vehicle while intoxicated in Jasper County, Texas in August. The trooper reportedly was off-duty at the time of the incident. KSLA