Flash: CDC: Vaccinated May Gather Without Masks
If you are fully vaccinated, the Centers for Disease Control says you can gather with others without masks. Is this a ray of hope for the workplace? And do the Cal/OSHA Emergency Requirements fly in the face of this new thinking? Workers’ Comp Executive
CDC: More than three-quarters of COVID hospitalizations were overweight, obese
An overwhelming majority of people who have been hospitalized, needed a ventilator or died from COVID-19 have been overweight or obese, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The study released on Monday by the agency found the risk for hospitalizations, ICU admissions and deaths was lowest among individuals with body mass indices under 25. The risk of severe illness “sharply increased,” however, as BMIs rose, particularly among people 65 and older, the agency said. CNBC
San Antonio fire captain reinstated
A San Antonio Fire Department captain who was accused of telling a workers’ compensation claims adjuster in 2014 that he had not been working for several months, even though the city’s investigation also determined he appeared in court as an attorney during the same period of time, has been reinstated. An investigation that examined whether he had fraudulently obtained benefits was closed in 2015 without any charges being filed. KSAT (San Antonio)
‘Can I get workers’ comp for hearing loss?’
If your hearing is damaged due to on-the-job conditions, you’re entitled to workers’ compensation. But because hearing loss can develop slowly, it can be hard to know if you should file a claim. Healthy Hearing
Meatpacking company holds vaccine clinic while denying workers’ comp claims
Some employees of a Greeley, Colorado meatpacking plant and their families say their workers’ compensation claims related to COVID-19 have been denied, even as their employer is holding a vaccine event for employees. Under Colorado law, the burden is on the employee to prove where they became sick. KDVR
Arkansas House passes workers’ comp bill
Last week, the Arkansas House passed more than 50 bills including one that allows employees to file a workers’ compensation claim if the employee can prove they contracted the coronavirus at their place of employment. KTLO (Mountain Home, Ark.)