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Did Anal Injury from Rape Merit Schedule Award for Federal Employee?
Did Anal Injury from Rape Merit Schedule Award for Federal Employee?

Federal Focus A federal employee who suffered permanent anal impairment following a work-related sexual assault won a remand from ECAB after medical evidence raised unresolved questions about whether her condition could support a schedule award […]
Worker’s Failure to File Required Physician Certification Defeats Claim for Extraordinary Benefits
Worker’s Failure to File Required Physician Certification Defeats Claim for Extraordinary Benefits

Case File When a Tennessee worker sought extraordinary benefits, his failure to produce the requisite documentation undid his claim. Case Burkes v. Sysco Knoxville, LLC, No. E2025-02007-SC-R3-WC (Tenn. 10/22/26) What Happened? A worker for a […]
Could ‘Bicycle Barbie’ Pedal Her Way to Workers’ Comp after Halloween Mishap?
Could ‘Bicycle Barbie’ Pedal Her Way to Workers’ Comp after Halloween Mishap?

What Do You Think? An injury an employee sustains at a mandatory workplace event is typically compensable. But what happens if the event is accompanied by a voluntary activity? Can an employee hurt during that […]
The First Five Minutes of a Workers’ Comp Intake Call: A Checklist for Small Practices 
The First Five Minutes of a Workers’ Comp Intake Call: A Checklist for Small Practices 

A practical list of what a small workers' compensation practice should capture early in an intake call, and how to write it down so the file is usable the next morning.  By John Hadden  The […]
D.C. Workers with Scheduled Injuries may Qualify for Permanent Total Disability Wage-Loss Benefits
D.C. Workers with Scheduled Injuries may Qualify for Permanent Total Disability Wage-Loss Benefits

Case File In a matter of first impression, the District of Columbia Court of Appeals held that a claimant who suffers permanent total disability from an injury to a scheduled body part is not limited […]
Was Dump Truck Driver Paid by Load Covered by Workers’ Comp?
Was Dump Truck Driver Paid by Load Covered by Workers’ Comp?

What Do You Think? Only employees are entitled to workers’ compensation benefits in Louisiana. Thus, it’s critical for employers to know which factors make a worker an independent contractor, and which ones make him a […]
Donkey-Wrangling-Related Heart Attack Yields Workers’ Comp. Benefits for N.Y. Carpenter
Donkey-Wrangling-Related Heart Attack Yields Workers’ Comp. Benefits for N.Y. Carpenter

Case File A New York carpenter helped his boss wrangle a donkey into a shed and then had a heart attack. Because it was related to the carpenter's job and the employer missed the deadline […]
Returning to work should not leave a concern without an owner
Returning to work should not leave a concern without an owner

By George S. Azadian The return-to-work plan looks settled. The employee has a start date, a supervisor has received the restrictions, and a modified assignment is ready. Then, halfway through the first shift, the employee […]