News Digest 5/5/2008

By: Rick Waldinger

Quote of the day

"This burden of deciding 2 to 3000 workers comp cases a year needs to be re-assigned to some other institutions. I think it's a great waste of Supreme Court resources to have them function as the only appellate body looking at workers comp cases. That's just nuts."

Bob Bastress, a democratic WV Supreme Court Candidate

Go to the full story in WSAZ-TV

Editorial: Texas Court Should Reverse Decision
The Texas Supreme Court has agreed to reconsider its ruling that gave companies new protection from liability for injuries to workers on their property who are not their employees. The court should reverse that ruling because it misapplied state law and gave plant owners less incentive to maintain safe workplaces. Austin American-Statesman
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Critics Say W.V. High Court Burdened with Workers’ Comp Cases
During a recent debate, West Virginia’s chief justice said that a major problem on the West Virginia Supreme Court has been the volume of workers’ comp cases. By Laurabree Austin, WSAZ-TV [with video] Go to the Full Story…

Union: WorkCover Changes Threaten Women
Proposed changes to New South Wales’ WorkCover scheme, including reducing payments to some injured workers, would make the scheme the least generous in Australia, say critics, who contend that working women stand to lose the most. By AAP via Sydney Morning Herald
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Provincial Union Wants Coverage Extended
The Manitoba Government and General Employees’ Union is urging the extension of workers’ compensation coverage to all workers in the province on grounds that it would offer income protection to more individuals and “create a level playing field for employers.” NUPGE
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Suburban Chicago Police Chief Files for Workers’ Comp
Cary, Ill.’s police chief has been out of work and healing from multiple injuries that he says occurred when he fell down a flight of stairs, and he’s seeking workers’ comp. By Lenore T. Adkins, Daily Herald (Arlington Heights, Ill.) [with photo] Go to the Full Story…

Stats Show Province One of the Safest in Canada
Recent statistics from Newfoundland and Labrador’s Workplace, Health, Safety and Compensation Commission show that the province’s injury rate is one of the best in the country, and is at its lowest since the inception of the workers’ compensation system. Canadian Press via Western Star
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