‘The mask is an outward sign of inward things’
“The politico-spiritual warfare over masking rules is far from over, because it was never simply a question of public health and prudence. … This isn’t a medical question anymore, and it never was that alone.” writes Kevin D. Williamson. National Review
New Jersey appellate court rules employer must pay employee’s medical cannabis costs
Pepsi Bottling Co. must reimburse a onetime employee for his work injury-related medical cannabis costs, a panel of New Jersey Appellate Division judges last week ruled, relying on a recent New Jersey Supreme Court case. Scarinci Hollenbeck Counsel Dan McKillop, who leads the firm’s cannabis law group, said the decision is “further evidence that New Jersey employers need to be very aware that they may be required to reimburse employees for the cost of medical cannabis used as a result of a work-related injury.” NJBiz
North Carolina House passes bill that enables first responders to obtain workers’ comp for PTSD
On May 6, the N.C. House of Representatives passed a billing allowing first responders to qualify for workers’ compensation for post-traumatic stress disorder. If passed into law, the bill would take effect July 1, 2021 and would allow law-enforcement, firemen, emergency dispatchers, and emergency management services personnel to obtain workers’ compensation benefits for psychological trauma, writes Jordan Bernstein of Cranfill Sumner LLP. The bill enumerates PTSD as a compensable occupational disease for first responders employed by state and local government. JD Supra
Amazon employees push to revive COVID suit
Amazon employees and their families who say the company endangered them during the pandemic asked the Second Circuit Court of Appeals this week to revive their employment-safety lawsuit alleging public nuisance, breach of the duty to provide a safe workplace and failure to timely pay COVID-19 leave. A federal judge had dismissed the claims on grounds such safety issues are are a matter for regulators. Courthouse News Service