California: Sacramento welder arraigned on workers’ comp fraud charges
A 41-year-old Sacramento man was arraigned this week on two felony counts of workers’ compensation fraud after allegedly misrepresenting symptoms following a work-related injury in order to improperly receive $21,000 in benefits. Undercover surveillance reportedly showed him speaking, walking, and driving, all functions he claimed not to be able to do as a result of the injury. CrimeVoice
May is National Correct Your Posture Month
Sitting in an office chair is a static posture that increases stress in the back, neck, shoulders, arms and legs, and it can add a great sum of pressure to the back muscles and spinal discs. Over time, incorrect sitting posture can damage spinal structures and contribute to or worsen back and neck pain. Here are some tips to maintain neutral body positioning. Guidon
Bill to protect healthcare employees against violent workplace attacks passes Georgia House
A bill aimed at workplace violence protections for healthcare employees has passed the Georgia House. The bipartisan measure aims to require reporting and prevention policy mandates for health care facilities, where employees have been the target of increased physical violence in recent years. One in four nurses have been assaulted at work, according to a study by the American Nurses Association, and 70 percent of workplace assaults were tied to the health care and social services industries. WSB
Eleventh Circuit rules on FMLA notice
A hospital did not absolve itself of its responsibilities under the Family and Medical Leave Act when it provided workers’ compensation to a housekeeper who injured her knee on the job, the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled. The hospital never advised the employee, who was fired after she failed to pass several physical tests required to return to work, of her rights under the FMLA before it fired her, the court said. The plaintiff sued for interference of her rights under the federal law. HR Dive
Ohio: County discusses workers’ comp plan renewal
Darke County, Ohio commissioners met this week to discuss the county’s outstanding debt and to renew the county workers’ compensation plan. A new group rating program, instead of the group retro program, will allow for the county to save $25,000 up front on workers’ compensation costs. Daily Advocate