Five Things You Need to Know: 12/7, Friday Edition

Las Vegas, NV (WorkersCompensation.com) -

1) TX: Subcontractor Sues Construction Co. for More than $1M After an Alleged Accident Occurred on the Job

Houston resident Armando Nunez has filed a lawsuit against Sevilla Services LLC and Alberto Monsivais, doing business as Monsivais Construction, writes Kristin Gonzales-Abella of the Southeast Texas Record. He alleges that while he was a subcontractor in Aubrey, “…he was injured when a beam he was using for support gave way and caused him to fall three stories to the ground. He alleges he needed three surgeries because of his injuries,” per the article. Nunez requests more than $1 million in damages and any other relief.

2) FL Might See Some Legislative Work Comp Action in 2019

Florida could be taking another look at workers’ compensation legislation this upcoming season, as Senate President Bill Galvano (Rep) from Bradenton has said they will be “looking at” potential action surrounding  “…reducing costs and accelerating disputed claim resolutions by adopting an Independent Medical Review (IMR) system similar to the one implemented by California in 2012.” Some of the FL concerns are based on “recent lawsuits,” according to John Haughey of the Florida Watchdog and Florida TaxWatch. “…In a research report published Tuesday, TaxWatch analyzed California’s IMR process and determined that asking doctors, rather than attorneys and judges, to resolve disputed medical claims could save millions of dollars for Florida’s workers’ compensation system.”

3) WCRI Report Highlights Texas and Medical Payments (Costs Per Claim)

WCRI’s CompScope Medical Benchmarks for Texas, 19th Edition shows “…Medical payments per workers' compensation claim in Texas decreased from 2014 to 2016 for claims with more than seven days of lost time, evaluated as of 2017,” according to a release from WCRI Director of Communications Andrew Kenneally. Specifically, “…Medical payments per claim decreased nearly 4 percent per year in Texas from 2014 to 2016 for claims at 12 months of experience, but they were fairly stable in most study states.” For more information on the report, click here. WCRI also found that “…Medical payments per claim were lower than the 18-state median for nonhospital and hospital providers in Texas.”

4) DMEC Announces Next Annual Conference Date

The Disability Management Employer Coalition (DMEC) will hold its 2019 Annual Conference Aug. 5-8 at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in National Harbor, MD, according to DMEC Media Consultant John Jordan. “…Topics will include: Paid family leave trends and updates, FMLA and ADA compliance, marijuana and the workplace, mental and behavioral health, and technology,” per the release from this week. For more information, click here.

5) IL: Former Auto Services Co. Employee Sues for Alleged Wrongful Termination 

Dewayne M. Wren of Belleville has filed a lawsuit against East End Express Lube, alleging he was wrongfully fired, writes Angelica Saylo Pilo of the Madison-St. Clair Record. “…The claims his employers discriminated against him on the basis of his race and/or ethnicity. Wren alleges the defendants retaliated against him after reporting the alleged discrimination,” per the article. He requests trial-by-jury, judgement against East End Express Lube at more than $50,000 and any other relief.

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