Heat-related workplace injuries double when temperatures rise to just 80 or 85 degrees Fahrenheit and increase more than sevenfold when temperatures exceed 90 degrees, according to a new report by the Workers Compensation Research Institute.
Unsurprisingly, such injuries are more common during summer months and disproportionately affect outdoor workers. Men and younger workers are at greater risk, and Southern states —… Read more »
The Minnesota Supreme Court ruled that a 2024 legislative amendment increasing the cap on fees in workers’ compensation cases does not apply retroactively, that the cap does not violate the state Constitution and that an attorney was not entitled to a fee in excess of the cap.
Case: Jurgensen v. Dave Perkins Contracting Inc., No. A24-0507, 06/25/2025, published.
Facts: Attorney Joshua E. Borken… Read more »
A Florida appellate court clarified that a judge of compensation claims has jurisdiction to review the employer-paid fees in a stipulation between parties and cannot review a stipulation as to employer-paid costs.
Case: Fox v. Sarasota County School Board, No. 1D2023-3093, 06/25/2025, published.
Facts and procedural history: Kimberly Fox worked for the… Read more »
A New York appellate court upheld the summary dismissal of a worker’s Labor Law claims for alleged injuries from a fall from the roof of a home.
Case: Prevost v. Associated Materials LLC, No. 38 CA 24-01165, 06/06/2025, published.
Facts: A homeowner contracted with Quad-Tech Home Solutions Inc. to construct and frame an addition to a home and to… Read more »
West Virginia’s Intermediate Court of Appeals upheld the denial of a worker's request to expand her claim.
Case: Walker v. Goodwill Industries of Kanawha Valley Inc., No. 24-ICA-419, 06/06/2025, published.
Facts: Karen Walker worked for Goodwill Industries of Kanawha Valley Inc. She tripped over a clothing rack at work and injured her knee in July 2020.
A claims administrator for… Read more »
The Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation said a 6% rate cut for private employers will take effect Tuesday.
The bureau said the rate cut is the result of employers' ongoing commitment to workplace safety. The BWC said the 6% reduction will save employers a combined $60 million in premiums.
Rates for private employers have fallen a cumulative 70% since 2011. The BWC said rates for… Read more »
The Texas Division of Workers' Compensation reduced the discount rate used to calculate the value of lump-sum settlements from July through September.
The division announced that the third quarter discount rate will be 7.6%, down from 7.61% in the second quarter and 7.74% in the first quarter.
The division sets the interest and discount rate every three months at an amount equal to the U.S.… Read more »
Joint employment for workers’ compensation purposes is quite common in New Jersey. Examples are employees who work for staffing agencies and professional employer organizations.
Another fairly common example is a police officer who does… Read more »