Quote of the day
“I realize that there are so many more patients with psychological issues nowadays. So many more people with the opioid crisis. You’re dealing with a lot of people who have addiction problems and it has increased.”
Joy Edwards, Ph.D., naturopathic medicine nurse
Study finds one-quarter of nurses are attacked on the job
One in four nurses currently working has been assaulted at work, according to a recent study by the American Nurses Association. Federal reports show at least 58 hospital workers died from workplace violence between 2011 and 2016. Two of the factors cited are a lack of mental health services and the opioid epidemic. WSB (Atlanta) [with video]
East Lansing to pay former employee $125K to settle workers’ comp claim and lawsuit
Ending a seven-month dispute, East Lansing, Michigan city officials have agreed to pay a former wastewater treatment plant employee $125,000 as part of a settlement agreement of a wrongful termination lawsuit and workers’ compensation claim. An attorney representing the city indicated the settlement is unusual in that it allows the former employee to file a workers’ comp claim in the future if he’s diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease. Lansing State Journal
Wyoming developer settles lawsuit related to fatal trench collapse
A Wyoming developer has settled a wrongful death lawsuit with representatives of two men who died while working in a 12-foot-deep trench at a construction site on his property September 2018. Jackson Hole News & Guide
Texas: Firefighters’ denied claims explained
A biennial report from the Texas Department of Insurance shows the denial rate of firefighters’ workers’ compensation claims is high: From 2010 to 2018, 87 percent of the total claims were denied. KRGV [with video]
Illinois appellate court rules employee’s injury linked to ongoing condition
An Illinois appeals court has affirmed a lower court and the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission in declining to conclude an employee’s workers’ compensation claim was linked to a new injury that happened in the course of his employment. The claimant had argued he suffered neck and shoulder pain from October 2014, as a direct result of the operation of a machine at his workplace. Madison – St. Clair Record
Testing for drugs in marina/dock industry
Employees may be prescribed opioids to relieve pain following a workplace injury, which could begin a path to dependency. Opioid dependency often leads to drowsiness, shifting moods, anxiety and depression. A good drug and alcohol policy should contain several provisions. Marina Dock Age