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No pot in Longshore, judges can assess fee claims, CA to mandate non-work hour medical and repetitive trauma claims on the rise in CA. Federal Appeals Court Denies Workers' Compensation Claim for Cannabis Edibles "Federal law 'categorically bars marijuana from being deemed a reasonable and necessary medical expense for purposes of the LHWCA,' the Second Circuit court ruled." Commonwealth Court Holds that a Workers' Compensation Judge Has the Authority Under Act to address Fee Disputes... "the WCJ properly exercised authority under Sections 440 and 442 of the Act in resolving the fee dispute. " Calif. bill would change workers comp medical treatment - Business Insurance "A.B. 2098 would require, when possible, for injured workers to make a 'reasonable effort' to schedule medical appointments outside regular work hours." Rise in Workers Comp Claims 'Will Be Costly,' Report Warns - Santa Monica Lookout "The number of open ...

Small employer coverage requirements, premium slowdowns, a tort claim in Australia, and New York joining the paperless world Did Va. Remodeler's Small Size Insulate it from Workers' Comp Claim? "a Virginia employer must have three or more employees. But does that include subcontractors," Premium Slowdown, Inflation Factors to Lead to Higher P/C Combined Ratio: AM Best "plateauing or softening rates in many lines of business may pressure financial results in 2026, said AM Best." Lessons from a 'landmark' $1.39m compensation payout - HR Leader "the worker was awarded a total of $1,389,300.12 in common law damages for pain and suffering, past and future earnings loss, and medical expenses." NYS Workers' Compensation Board goes Paperless in 2026 "the New York State Workers' Compensation Board is implementing electronic submission of the Request for Further Action by Insurer/Employer, or Form RFA-2."

Secrecy in municipal claims, active employers benefit, how big is workers' compensation, and inflated drug prices Letter: Inglewood worker's comp claims shrouded in secrecy | 2 Urban Girls "The agenda center shows an ad hoc “Workers Comp Claim Review Committee” that clandestinely meets in the Finance Conference room but the public is not able to attend." Active Employer Involvement Can Cut Workers' Compensation Costs - Risk & Insurance "employers who understand where their involvement matters most can materially affect a claim’s length, cost, and long-term impact on their business." What's the Current State of Workers' Comp? Small, but Mighty: Hartwig "'Workers' comp is materially smaller than it used to be, but it's mighty.' Hartwig said during WCRI's day 2 keynote session. 'Workers' comp has served as a calm and stable refuge.'" Goldstein: Inflated, Unrealistic Drug Prices Engorge Comp Settlements W...

KY Immunity, LA Crackdown, Control of Contractors, and a Disciplined Judge 'Up-the-Ladder' Immunity Prevents Ky. Worker from Suing for 700-lb Cart Injuries "Did a manufacturer who contracted for the delivery and transportation of raw materials qualify as a "contractor"" Judges Should not Practice Law "Judge Clermont admits that, on April 11, 2025, he represented a friend at a first appearance proceeding in Broward County after the friend’s arrest for domestic violence. Judge Clermont negotiated with the assistant state attorney prosecuting the case, presented argument to the court in favor of a proposed bond, and offered unsubpoenaed character testimony on behalf of the friend." Los Angeles County cracking down on work injury fakers "Los Angeles is one of the top three cities in the nation for fraudulent workers’ compensation accidents and claims, after Las Vegas and Jacksonville, Florida" Court affirms dismissal of lawsuit following wor...

Course and Scope, Side Gigs, Undocumented and lost earnings, Deviating from Guides Could Trucker Injured 34 Minutes before Punching in Obtain Worker's Comp? "The company argued the injury didn’t occur in the course of employment because driver wasn’t on the clock and was not authorized to work at the time he was hurt." Side Gigs for Docs: Earning Extra Income From Chart Review - Medscape "In a Medscape survey report, 39% of physicians said they had side jobs." Federal appeals court denies deportation relief for injured Missouri worker "The accident led to a workers compensation claim and medical evaluations related to his ability to return to work." Washington Senate votes to send medical treatment bill to governor - Business Insurance "bill would allow network providers to deviate from coverage decisions issued by the Department of Labor and Industries, as well as the agency’s medical treatment guidelines and medical policies"

CT and CA failure to secure, Nebraska dope, and the old independent contractor rule. CT business owner arrested for allegedly failing to provide workers' compensation insurance "The offense is punishable by one to five years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000" Owners of Southern California towing empire arrested in $6 million fraud scheme "Authorities allege the brothers systematically underreported employee wages to avoid paying millions of dollars in required workers' compensation insurance" Should Nebraska doctors who recommend medical marijuana treatments be protected? "no Nebraska doctors have given out prescriptions in the months since due to fear that officials who oppose the practice might try to have their medical licenses revoked." Employment Law Update: The DOL Seeks to Revert to Former Independent Contractor Rule "The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) just threw a lifeline to organizations that use independent contractors."