This roundup of headlines from across the nation provides a snapshot of what’s happening with workers’ compensation and Social Security Disability in the United States.
Arizona House Considers Workers’ Comp Bills
Source: Insurance Journal
Arizona Lawmakers are considering two workers compensation bills that would change how workers’ compensation benefits are calculated and awarded, and allow more communication with the doctors of the injured workers.
To read more, visit http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/west/2008/03/12/88171.htm
Social Security Offers Positions to 144 Administrative Law Judges
Source: The Weekly
ATLANTA, GA – Michael J. Astrue, Commissioner of Social Security, today announced that the agency has begun making offers to 144 of the 175 new Administrative Law Judges (ALJs) it will hire this fiscal year.
Due to litigation and budget cuts, the agency has about 10% fewer ALJs than it did a decade ago. During that same time, the number of cases waiting for a hearing decision has more than doubled.
To read more, visit http://www.theweekly.com/news/2008/February/27/Social_Security.html
Workers Compensation Laws Too Restrictive
Source: The Hartford Courant
A 50-year-old health care worker injures her back while moving a patient. Surgery is required. But after recovering from the operation, the doctor says there will be a permanent, partial disability – returning to the same type of work is no longer an option. A career is ended, with little likelihood of being able to earn as much as before being hurt. Worse, Connecticut’s workers’ compensation law says that when initial disability payments run out, even with a permanent disability that prohibits a return to the former job, longer-term wage-replacement benefits are very limited
To read more, visit http://www.courant.com/news/opinion/op_ed/hc-sheldon0311.artmar11,0,3159814.story
Wyoming lawmakers to review workers’ comp issues
Source: The Associated Press
CASPER, Wyo. (AP) – Wyoming lawmakers plan to undertake a comprehensive review of the benefits paid to workers who get hurt on the job.
Republican State Representative Jack Landon of Sheridan is co-chairman of the Joint Labor, Health and Social Services Committee.
Landon says that the committee is going to look at the benefits that employees receive in the state. He says that the committee wants to make sure that benefits are realistic in today’s economy.
To read more, visit http://www.localnews8.com/Global/story.asp?S=7991554&nav=menu554_2
California Workers’ Compensation System Fails Those Who Die in Its Grasp
Source: California Progress Report
Where else can you kill a person outright, with your gross negligence and greed, and get away scott free without any fear of recrimination or criminal prosecution?
Why in California of course?
It’s called the Workers Compensation system, and this kind of aberrant behavior is facilitated by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, his insurance buddy cronies and his so-called reforms of 2004. Many have died because of this quest for profits, to appease the needs of the corporate few.
To read more, visit http://www.californiaprogressreport.com/2008/03/california_work_1.html
Court Rules For Wal-Mart Employee In Benefits Case
Source: The Morning News
LITTLE ROCK – A Wal-Mart employee, who suffered headaches after accidentally breathing cleaning chemicals through an office ventilation system, met her burden of proof and is entitled to additional medical treatment, the state Court of Appeals ruled Wednesday.
The decision reversed a ruling by the Arkansas Workers’ Compensation denying benefits.
In June 2005, Karen Bohannon was working at a Wal-Mart office building in Bentonville when she and other employees noticed a chemical smell coming from an overhead air-conditioner vent.
To read more, visit http://www.nwaonline.net/articles/2008/03/12/news/031308lrwalmartcomp.txt
Workers’ Comp Reform Calls for More Data
Source: Business First of Buffalo
New York State has improved its workers’ compensation program but can do even more to improve efficiency, according to a report from Insurance Superintendent Eric Dinallo.
The recommendations were forwarded to the Gov. Eliot Spitzer’s office as called for under the Workers’ Compensation Reform Act of March 2007. Officials have said that legislation fundamentally reformed the workers’ compensation system and has resulted in an estimated savings for New York businesses of $1 billion this fiscal year.
To read more, visit http://www.bizjournals.com/buffalo/stories/2008/03/03/daily10.html
