Surveillance footage leads to charges against woman for workers’ comp fraud
A 53-year-old Madera, California woman was charged on two felony counts of insurance fraud after allegedly lying about physical limitations due to a work-related injury. Video surveillance obtained during the time she claimed physical limitations from the injury showed her cleaning her home, doing yardwork, ascending and descending stairs, reaching overhead, and lifting. Sierra Sun Times
New Jersey bill would expand workers’ comp coverage for distance parking
The pool of employees in New Jersey who could be eligible for coverage under workers’ compensation law should be expanded to include those forced to use public streets and sidewalks in order to get to work, according to a bill in the New Jersey Legislature. NJ 1015
Wisconsin provides businesses immunity from COVID liability
In late February, the Wisconsin State Legislature passed a bill providing broad immunity from civil liability due to an act, or a failure to act, that led to a person’s exposure to COVID-19. This legislation affords a level of protection to businesses, schools and other organizations, write attorneys Josh Johanningmeier and Christine McLaughlin of Godfrey & Kahn S.C. The law is retroactive, but only back to claims that arose on or after March 1, 2020. National Law Review
Minneapolis to dip into reserves to fund record settlement
The $27 million settlement Minneapolis leaders approved in George Floyd’s death is more than the entire balance in the city’s account that covers lawsuit payouts; as a result, the city plans to use money from its “rainy day fund” to help cover the costs. The city has been self-insured for at least the past two decades and the self-insurance fund covers a variety of costs, including city employees’ healthcare, workers’ compensation claims and lawsuit payouts. Minneapolis Star Tribune