Considering workers’ comp reform in Alabama
Alabama lawmakers say there is not much of an appetite to update the state’s workers’ compensation law, even though its benefits lag behind its southeastern neighbors. WVTM (Birmingham, Ala.) [with video]
Iowa Supreme Court provides analysis on workers’ compensation shoulder cases
Joni Ploeger of Dentors discusses the Iowa Supreme Court’s first rulings on ruled on shoulder cases following the 2017 amendments to the Iowa Workers’ Compensation Act. Before the amendment, shoulder injuries were treated as body as a whole injuries and compensated using an industrial disability analysis. Shoulder cases were also eligible for permanent total disability/odd lot benefits. JD Supra
D.C.Circuit skeptical of requiring Fed-OSHA to adopt COVID healthcare employee rule
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit on Monday expressed skepticism regarding claims by a group of unions that Fed-OSHA can be forced to adopt a permanent rule to protect healthcare employees from COVID-19. The agency last June adopted an emergency temporary standard requiring healthcare employers to take various steps to protect employees from COVID-19, but it expired in December. Reuters
As employees return to the office, companies grapple with vaccine tensions
What should an employer do when an employee refuses to work around an unvaccinated colleague? Here’s how experts say to handle an issue that’s popping up often amid the return to work. Washington Business Journal [may require registration]