Washington governor calls on feds to end appeal of Hanford workers’ comp law
In response to the U.S. Department of Justice’s petition for review to the U.S. Supreme Court against a Washington state law that makes it easier for ill Hanford Nuclear Reservation employees to receive workers’ compensation, Washington Governor Jay Inslee has asked the U.S. Attorney General to support Hanford employees and withdraw the federal appeal of the law. The Olympian
Virginia justices find city policeman’s training injury compensable
Injuries sustained by a Charlottesville, Virginia policeman during a training exercise are compensable, despite claims that he could not pinpoint the exact moment of his 2017 injury, the Virginia Supreme Court recently ruled. According to court documents, the officer took part in a SWAT team training activity in which he played the role of the suspect in various scenarios throughout a nine-hour work day. He claims he was repeatedly put on the ground, handcuffed with his hands behind his back and then picked up while still in handcuffs, and experienced some discomfort before his injury worsened in the following days. The city denied his workers’ compensation claim on grounds he could not identify the specific incident that led to his injury. Daily Progress (Charlottesville, Va.)
Connecticut woman arrested for illegally collecting workers’ comp
Authorities have charged a 44-year-old Wallingford, Connecticut woman with illegally collecting workers’ compensation while on temporary total disability from her employment as a teacher. Officials say she was employed by the Bristol board of education when she was injured after attempting to break up a fight between two students. NBC Connecticut
South Carolina first responders seek additional workers’ comp
The South Carolina’s Professional Firefighters’ Association is pushing to get more firemen and other frontline employees protected when they’re out of work due to COVID. State fire department leaders say proving where and how one contracted the virus can be a lengthy and unsuccessful process. WSPA
Oklahoma Insurance commissioner approves loss-cost reduction for 2022 workers’ comp
Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner Glen Mulready last week announced the Oklahoma Insurance Department had approved a 9.4 percent decrease in workers’ compensation insurance loss costs for 2022. The new loss costs will go into effect for new and renewing policies effective January 1, 2022. Duncan Banner