Five Things You Need to Know: 12/11, Tuesday Edition

Sarasota, FL (WorkersCompensation.com) -

1) Upcoming Hot Seat: A Look a Kids’ Chance

Kids’ Chance is an organization that connects children to scholarships who’ve had parents killed or seriously injured on the job. For more information on Kids’ Chance, click here. WorkersCompensation.com’s next Hot Seat will focus on the program, and what it provides for these kids. The webinar will take place Tuesday, Dec. 18 at 1 p.m. Eastern Time, with WorkersCompensation.com President and CEO, Bob Wilson and Deputy Chief Judge of Florida Office of the Judge of Compensation Claims, David Langham. “…Meet some of the recipients of this workers' compensation driven charity. Learn how you can help change lives of kids in need,” according to the session description. Click here to register. Kids’ Chance has given children more than 6,500 scholarships since its inception in 1988, totaling to more than $21 million.

2) ‘Advanced Mixed Waste Treatment Project’ to Shut Down in ID

“…Officials said workers are wrapping up processing 85,000 cubic yards of radioactive waste at the department’s 890-square-mile site that includes the Idaho National Laboratory,” according to AP and The Washington Post. The INL plant referenced is located near Idaho Falls. Per federal direction, the nuclear waste project will be shut down in 2019. According to the U.S. Dept. of Energy in the article, there are 650 workers in that location. Idaho’s project condensed “transuranic waste” into shippable storage that was transferred to “the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant in New Mexico,” according to the article.

3) CA: Chiropractor Could Face Up to Eight Years in Prison for Alleged Involvement in $150M Work Comp Fraud Scheme

Granada Hills resident and chiropractor Paul Turley is in some hot water with the state’s work comp system, as he pleaded guilty last week to involvement in a $150M fraud setup, according to WorkersCompensation.com. He pleaded to guilty to charges of “…conspiracy to commit insurance fraud, mayhem, insurance fraud and unlawful patient referral,” and could serve up to eight years in prison, per the article. “…Turley is among a dozen defendants who were indicted by a grand jury in 2015 for fraudulently billing tens of millions of dollars to insurance companies for fraudulent surgeries, prescription medications, fake MRIs, falsifying medical reports and office visits.” Check back for more coverage on this topic as more details become available.

4) WV: Defective Machinery Allegedly Led to Operator's Injuries on the Job

Charleston resident Larry Capps has filed a lawsuit against Sherry Reed and Scott Reed individually, doing business as Reed's Paving, alleging an unsafe work environment led to an injury on the job for the equipment operator, writes Jenie Mallari-Torres of the West Virginia Record. According to the lawsuit referencing the May incident, “…Capps attempted to load a defective asphalt roller onto the defendants' trailer in Charleston without any offer of assistance from the defendants.” The equipment moved in a forward direction, even though it should have remained stationary, “…and pinned his leg against the trailer, causing him to sustain a severely broken left leg, medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, physical impairment, mental anguish, emotional distress, annoyance and inconvenience and loss of capacity to enjoy life,” per the article. He requests trial-by-jury, damages, court costs interest, and any other relief.

5) MO: Heirs File Lawsuit on Behalf of Deceased Relative, Alleging his Death was Caused by Asbestos Exposure on the Job

Michelle E. England (et. al., and surviving heirs), on behalf of deceased Steven C. England Sr., of St. Louis, have filed a lawsuit against 3M Co. and Armstrong International Co., et al., alleging Steven’s death was caused by asbestos exposure on the job, writes Lhalie Castillo of the St. Louis Record. Per the lawsuit, Steven “…was exposed to and inhaled or ingested asbestos fibers emanating from certain products manufactured, sold, distributed or installed by defendants (while he worked in Florida in the 70s). The suit states that on or about Oct. 16, 2016, he was diagnosed with lung cancer, an asbestos-induced disease, and died on Nov. 21, 2016.” The heirs request damages at a minimum of $50G, and any other relief.

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