Five Things You Need to Know: 9/19, Wednesday Edition

Sarasota, FL (WorkersCompensation.com) -

1) CT: Former Police Dept. Employee Fights for Work Comp Coverage After Shooting

Phillip Roselle, a part of the Norwalk Police Dept. for 30 years, still remembers being shot on the job, both physically and mentally, writes Pat Tomlinson of The Hour. A year after the shooting, he still feels a bullet still sitting in his chest. He’s also had blood clots and nerve damage. He’ll eventually need a kidney transplant as well. “…Roselle, 51, has twice been denied workers’ compensation. The Connecticut Workers’ Compensation Commission reasoned that an underlying health problem, Type 1 diabetes, is keeping him out of work. The family argues he was healthy until the shooting began his downward slide,” per the article. “…Roselle, whose son is a cop in New Haven, said his fight against the city and their insurer is not only for his own benefit, but for any other officers who finds themselves in a similar situation.”

2) TOMORROW! Hot Seat Webinar on AMAs

“Impairing the Guides: The Legal Assault on the 6th Edition,” is scheduled to take place TOMORROW, Thursday, Sept. 20, featuring Alan Pierce, attorney, author and Dr. Chris Brigham, physician and author. Pierce is host of the podcast ‘Workers' Comp Matters' heard on the Legal Talk Network, and Brigham is Senior Contributing Editor for the AMA Guides Sixth edition and Editor of the AMA Guides Newsletter. He is also author of the book, Living Abled. “…Both men will join Hot Seat co-hosts Bob Wilson and Judge David Langham for what is expected to be a spirited discussion on the issue,” according to a WorkersCompensation.com Current News article. “Registration is free and may be completed here, and a recording of the program will be available immediately after the webcast.” To read more on why this topic is a "big Deal," click here for Wilson's most recent blog post. 

3) PA: Maritime Worker Sues Multiple Employers for Alleged Chemical Exposure that Led to His Cancer

Jose A. Vivas, out of Philadelphia, has filed a lawsuit against multiple companies, including Sunoco (R&M), LLC of Newtown Square; Marine Transport Lines of Secaucus, N.J.; and Sea Transport Corporation and International Bulktank Corporation of New York, N.Y., writes Nicholas Malfitano of the Pennsylvania Record. The lawsuit alleges Vivas was exposed to “carcinogenic chemicals” on the job, which led to his AML, or acute myelogenous leukemia. “’…Such chronic, repeated and numerous exposures to those materials, in the course of the traditional maritime activities alleged herein, caused injury to plaintiff’s bone marrow and immunological systems that impaired his ability to produce healthy, normal blood cells. As a result of toxic, carcinogenic exposure to these petroleum cargoes, fuels and cleaning solvents containing benzene, plaintiff developed a blood disorder and disease diagnosed in April 2017 as acute myeloid leukemia,” per the article. Vivas requests damages at more than $50G, loss to earnings, medical costs, interest, court costs, trial-by-jury, and any other relief. 

4) IL: Employee Sues Rehab Center, Alleging Retaliation After she Filed a Work Comp Claim

Chicago resident Khia Dunbar has filed a lawsuit against Wentworth Rehabilitation and Health Care Center Inc., alleging she was terminated due to retaliation from her employer, writes Bree Gonzales of the Cook County Record. “…The plaintiff alleges the defendant allegedly retaliated by harassing and terminating plaintiff when she filed a workers' compensation claim. The acts of retaliation were sufficiently pervasive so as to alter the conditions of plaintiff's employment and create an abusive working environment, according to the complaint,” per the article. Dunbar requests trial-by-jury, court costs, attorney fees, and damages.

5) MO: Bedbug Exterminator Allegedly Falls Asleep on the Job

A St. Louis exterminator allegedly fell asleep on the job, leading a commercial hotel owner to sue his company after a bed-bug treated room overheated and the sprinkler system started, writes Angelica Saylo Pilo of the St. Louis Record. Apple Nine Missouri LLC, doing business as Hampton Inn & Suites St. Louis @ Forest Park has filed a lawsuit against Roberts Pest Control LLC, alleging the employee’s negligence led to workplace property damage. Although workers’ comp isn’t involved to this date, the exterminator’s alleged mistake could have led to the safety endangerment of himself, other hotel workers and clients. “…The plaintiff seeks judgment against the defendant of more than $25,000, plus costs, fees and interest and all other relief that are proper and just,” per the article. 

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