Five Things You Need to Know: 12/3, Monday Edition

Sarasota, FL (WorkersCompensation.com) -

1) Tesla in Hot Water Over Claims of Workplace Racism by Employees

“…A half-dozen black employees at the automaker went on the record with the New York Times about a litany of complaints at the Fremont, California, facility, including workers who said they were called the ‘N-word’ and ‘monkey,’ and one who said he encountered a ‘racist effigy’ drawn on a bale of cardboard that included an oversized mouth and a bone stuck in its hair,” writes Nicholas Vega of the New York Post. Some black workers have also claimed they had to complete tasks like washing the floor, when others weren’t asked to complete the same responsibilities. Tesla told the media outlet the claims are at a “very small number.”

2) OK Work Comp Case: Did Marijuana Use Lead to an Accident on the Job?

Dillon Rose crushed his hand in a machine-related incident at Berry Plastics Corp. in 2017, according to an article in The Norman Transcript. Rose later tested positive in a drug test for marijuana, which raised the question, “Was this accident caused due to marijuana use earlier?” Rose told a judge mid-November he wasn’t impaired by the activities he participated in the night before, and coworkers went on record to say he didn’t seem impaired. While the judge approved the work comp claim, “…The Oklahoma Workers’ Compensation Commission reversed the ruling, calling Rose's testimony "self-serving,’” per the article. “…Rose appealed the commission's decision to the Oklahoma Court of Civil Appeals, which said that the commission went beyond its duty.” As of press time, Rose’s attorney hadn’t said if there will be a Supreme Court appeal.

3) What’s Cooking at NWCDC 2018 THIS WEEK

The National Workers' Compensation and Disability Conference (NWCDC) is right around the corner, heating up THIS Wednesday, Dec. 5 and the comp conversations will continue until Friday, Dec. 7 at the Mandalay Bay Resort in Las Vegas. Click here to read up on WorkersCompensation.com pre-event coverage, and follow us here and on Twitter at @wcconnections for a timely look at all the Vegas happenings. IAIABC Executive Director calls NWCDC "the most significant industry conference," as all the major players in work comp get together to connect and share knowledge. 

4) WV: Group of Bouncers at a Restaurant Sued for Allegedly Attacking a Customer in 2015

Derek Vaughn Carpenter has filed a lawsuit against Vino's Bar & Grill, the Copper Pint Pub, and a group of employees, alleging he was attacked while visiting the restaurant, writes Angelica Saylo Pilo of the West Virginia Record. The bouncer group allegedly came after him while he was a customer in 2015. “…Carpenter says he suffered severe injuries and damages, including physical and emotional pain, medical expenses and lost wages. The plaintiff alleges Vino's employees ganged up on him and Davis negligently and recklessly struck Carpenter in the face,” per the article. Carpenter requests trial-by-jury, damages, interest, court costs, and any other relief.

5) TX: Company Sued in Lawsuit for Allegedly Providing an Unsafe Work Environment 

Gerardo Luna of Houston has filed a lawsuit against Oxy Permian Gathering LLC and Occidental Permian LTD, alleging a “bleed off line” hit him and hurt his right leg while on the job, writes Kristine Gonzales-Abella of the Southeast Texas Record “…The plaintiff holds Oxy Permian Gathering LLC and Occidental Permian LTD responsible because the defendants allegedly failed to provide a safe work environment, failed to provide necessary safety training and failed to provide proper safety equipment,” according to the article. “The plaintiff seeks monetary relief of more than $200,000 but less than $1 million and such other and further relief to which he may be justly entitled.” 

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