Quote of the day
“I am not terribly sympathetic.”
Judge Stanley Bastian, U.S. District Court for Eastern Washington, in response to a Justice Department attorney’s statement that proving the Hanford Nuclear Reservation did not cause an illness would be nearly impossible
Ruling expected soon in lawsuit against Hanford workers’ comp law
A federal judge says he plans by the first week of June to rule on a Department of Justice lawsuit against the state of Washington over eased workers’ compensation requirements for workers at the Hanford site. In a lawsuit filed in December, the Justice Department said a state law that took effect a year ago and that shifts the burden of proof for deciding state workers’ compensation claims to the federal government for most sick or injured Hanford workers, is unconstitutional. Exchange Monitor
Maine lawmakers to move forward on proposed workers’ comp reform
A joint legislative committee is concluding discussions on a proposed package of reforms designed to make the Maine workers’ compensation system more advantageous to injured workers. Supporters say the workers’ comp system has become unfair to workers as a result of measures designed to lower insurance costs, while opponents say the current system has provided stability to employers following a crisis period in the late ’80s and early ’90s. Portland Press Herald
Family of Maine roofer who fell to death sues employer for $2.5M
The family of a roofer who died in a fall at a Portland, Maine residential worksite last December has filed a $2.5 million wrongful death lawsuit against his former employer, alleging the company owner discouraged use of safety equipment. The 30-year-old worker who died was the half-brother of the contractor, who also faces criminal charges in the matter. Portland Press Herald
Ohio: Proposal gives $1.5 billion to employers
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation Administrator/CEO Stephanie McCloud recently proposed a $1.5 billion dividend to Ohio employers following strong returns on the agency’s investments. The amount is equal to 88 percent of the premiums employers paid for the policy year that ended June 30, 2018 and would be Ohio’s fifth investment return to private and public employers of at least $1 billion since 2013 and sixth overall during that time. Daily Advocate
New York: Farmworkers’ protection bill faces pushback
Some Seneca County, New York officials are critical of a bill that would grant collective bargaining rights, workers’ compensation, and unemployment benefits to farmworkers in New York. Opponents say it adds more cost and burden to farms, citing highly-changeable farm schedules, low commodity prices, and other factors. Ithaca.com
Texas firefighter workers’ comp bill heads to governor’s desk
Over the weekend, the Texas House and Senate both passed a bill intended to help firefighters make their case for workers’ compensation if they are diagnosed with certain cancers, including multiple myeloma and renal cell carcinoma while in the line of duty. 4 Valley Central