California doctors warn against COVID-19 censorship bill
Some medical professionals are vowing to fight a possible new California law that attempts to threaten their medical licenses for spreading “COVID-19 misinformation,” calling the effort “unconstitutional” and “illegal.” If passed, the law would inject disciplinary actions by the Medical Board of California or the Osteopathic Medical Board of California to care providers promoting alleged misinformation. “The idea that they’re going to come after physicians that spread misinformation, without defining what misinformation is, [is] frightening,” says physician Dr. Jeff Barke. The Epoch Times
West Virginia justices uphold board’s reversal of workers’ comp claim
Addressing a coal company employee’s claim of permanent partial disability impairment due to occupational pneumoconiosis, the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals sided with the state Workers’ Compensation Board of Review’s decision to reverse a claims administrator’s decision. As an underground coal miner, surface coal miner and foreman, he was exposed to coal dust and other industrial dust hazards during his 30-year career. West Virginia Record
Illinois employers seek defenses against rising biometrics class actions, settlement demands
In January, an Illinois Supreme Court decision effectively ended efforts by some Illinois employers to use Illinois’ workers’ compensation law to find relief from the growing burden of the legal actions brought under the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act, which protects the collection, use and handling of biometric identifiers (interpreted as a retina or iris scan, fingerprint, voiceprint, or scan of hand or face geometry). The decision appears to have emboldened plaintiffs’ lawyers to boost their settlement demands from Illinois employers targeted by a rising wave of class action lawsuits under the law. Cook County Record
U.S. Supreme Court asks feds to weigh in on medical cannabis workers’ comp cases
The U.S. Supreme Court Justices were scheduled last week to discuss two cases concerning Minnesota employees who sought workers’ compensation for medical cannabis expenses in connection with work-related injuries. Now, the justices are asking the top Justice Department lawyer to weigh in on whether federal law protects employers who choose not to cover medical cannabis costs for employees injured on the job. The Minnesota Supreme Court ruled late last year that both workers’ comp claims were invalid because of cannabis’ status under the federal Controlled Substances Act. Marijuana Moment
Sheriff supports Kansas bill for workers’ comp to first responders with PTSD
A Kansas Senate committee this week heard testimony supporting a bill that would allow first responders suffering from post traumatic stress disorder to receive workers’ compensation benefits. The Kansas Sheriff’s Association supports the bill. One county sheriff who testified before the senate committee Monday said every conference and training he’s attended over the past two years has addressed first responder mental health, and that his office, and others across the country, are working to help change how mental illness is addressed. Fox 4