Quote of the day
“[The Washington Department of Labor and Industries] is immediately changing its policy around workers’ compensation coverage for health care workers and first responders who are quarantined by a physician or public health officer. Under the clarified policy, L&I will provide benefits to these workers during the time they’re quarantined after being exposed to COVID-19 on the job.”
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee, in a news release
Number of confirmed coronavirus cases jumps in Washington state
The number of coronavirus COVID-19 cases is rising in Washington state. On Thursday, the governor discussed workers’ compensation protections for healthcare workers and first responders working on the front lines of the outbreak. Bellingham Herald
New York nurses’ union urges stronger protections against virus
The New York Nurses Association, which represents unionized nurses in collective bargaining contracts, last week made a push for stronger protections for healthcare workers to deal with the threats posed by coronavirus and other infectious diseases. The virus has now infected at least 22 in the state, number that’s expected to rise. Press-Republican (Plattsburgh, N.Y.)
Tech: New app lets New York employees attend workers’ comp hearings remotely
The New York State Workers’ Compensation Board has introduced a free Android app for cell phones, tablets and computers that allows injured workers and their attorneys to attend required meetings virtually. Upon signing in, the participants stay in a cyber waiting room until the hearing begins. Newsday
Iowa Supreme Court applicant has ties to governor, discrimination case
An applicant to fill an Iowa Supreme Court vacancy has political ties to the state’s current governor and last year was found to have discriminated, during the prior administration, against the state’s former workers’ compensation commissioner on the basis of sexual orientation. The Hour
Downstate Illinois workers’ comp event addresses new recreational cannabis laws
Representatives from more than 70 southern Illinois businesses last week came to Marion for Southern Illinois Healthcare’s annual workers’ compensation symposium, which featured guest speakers on claims, managing exposure, and new recreational marijuana laws and other topics. WSIL [with video]