Minnesota police organization opposes bill to resolve surging statewide PTSD claims
In Minnesota, a bill to resolve the surge of post-traumatic stress disorder claims by first responders statewide is in limbo. The bill would require first responders to undergo treatment before they would be eligible for permanent disability pension benefits. It provides treatment for 24 weeks with an option for an additional eight weeks if health care professionals and the patient agree it’s needed. Minneapolis StarTribune
Officers’ widows feel disrespected by Las Vegas Metro, sheriff
At least six employees of the Las Vegas Metro Police Department have died of COVID-19 since the onset of the pandemic. Two widows are questioning why their husbands’ deaths are not being classified as having occurred in the line of duty. Las Vegas Sun
Iowa justices lower causation standard for mental injuries
A recent decision of the Iowa Supreme Court lowers the burden required to receive workers’ compensation for many injured employees who suffer purely mental injuries while on the job. Now, when a mental-mental injury is the result of a specific stressful event, the unexpected or unusual characteristics of the event are no longer required to be job-specific, writes Joni Ploeger of Dentons. The recent case centered on an employee who worked as an emergency dispatcher who, while workig, received a traumatic call from a mother whose baby was dying. JD Supra
Washington has new heat exposure guidelines
The Washington Department of Labor and Industries recently released new emergency outdoor heat exposure and wildfire smoke rules, which are intended to better protect employees working outdoors compared to last year’s guidelines, which which did not fully trigger until temperatures hit 100 degrees. The new rules, in place from June 15 through the end of September, will now kick in at 89 degrees for most employees and require access to cool water and shaded areas, as well as paid cool-down breaks every two hours. Wildfire rules require employers to monitor air quality and take protective action when employees are exposed to smoke. Seattle Times