Five Things to Catch Up On: 8/26, Weekend Edition

Sarasota, FL (WorkersCompensation.com) -

1) Major CA Supreme Court Work Comp Ruling Released on Thursday (FRIDAY)

The California Supreme Court handed down a major decision yesterday, ruling an injured worker could turn to the Workers’ Compensation Administration (WCA), and the WCA only for aid. “…the Supreme Court found unanimously that in the case of King vs. CompPartners, Inc., relief from misdiagnosis or errors from utilization reviewers can only be found through workers' compensation,” according to Liz Carey of WorkersCompensation.com. Click here to read more.

2) Tuesday’s ‘Talking Pot,’ But with a Physician Panel (THURSDAY)

Rewind to the second day of WCI 2018: R. Stephen Coonrod, attorney at McConnaughhay, Coonrod, Pope, Weaver & Stern; Adam Oliver, neurosurgeon at the Tallahassee Neurological Clinic; and Susan Griffee, MD at the Gulf Coast Pain Institute participated in a discussion that required extra registration. But, WorkersCompensation.com was able to catch up with the crew to learn what went on behind these closed doors. Dave Newell, director of education and workforce development for FAIA, said, “…Regarding opioids , their (the speakers’) philosophy is setting a defined timeline for medications and setting expectations with the patient on the front end. They both are very conservative with meds and neither one prescribes medical marijuana, (and there can be) too many unknowns,” he said. “The audience was engaged in learning how both use physical therapy options before meds for pain management and surgery are considered… (Also) being strong enough to tell patients treatment is complete and (there is) nothing more they can do for them. No open-ended prescriptions and communication (are) key in treating work comp patients.”

3) TX Sales Coach Busted for Work Comp Fraud (WEDNESDAY)

Austin resident Gary Hunt might have worked at a plumbing company, but it seems he was selling more than the business’s products, according to Texas Mutual in Ryan Smith’s Insurance Business article. He filed a claim for an on-the-job injury at Radiant Plumbing, apparently unable to work. “…However, it was then discovered that Hunt was working as a comfort consultant for another company. Texas law required claimants to contact their workers’ compensation carrier when they return to work,” per the piece. He was convicted of work comp fraud, and will also need to pay more than $8G in restitution to the insurance company.

4) Not so Cheery? NFL Cheerleaders Might Want to Consider Union Representation (TUESDAY)

Some professional football cheerleaders make less than $3 an hour, writes Christina Floozy of VICE. “…this seasonal employee characterization allows employers to pay employees less than the federal minimum wage,” per the article. “…Moreover, while cheerleaders have fairly convincing claims under state laws, the NFL teams have the benefit of nearly unlimited resources to fight those claims, as well as the ability to buy off or simply fire dissenters.” The media outlet presents the next potential option: Maybe it is time for these cheerleaders to turn to some sort of union representation, although efforts haven’t been very successful in the past.  

5) CT: Amazon Warehouse Building Project Halted Due to Work Safety Issues (MONDAY)

Amazon might be a household name, to buy, well, anything, but its new warehouse in North Haven isn’t storing any cooking gadgets or groceries yet, writes Luther Turmelle of The Hour. “…Construction of the sprawling, 1.2-million-square-foot warehouse started in mid-February. The $255 million project is expected to be finished and operating by May or June of next year,” per the article. It is also expected to add thousands of jobs to the CT community. The stop work order was released to steel workers on the project, but no representatives were available by press time to comment on the specifics.

Share This Article: