The first thing you need to figure out when deciding whether a workers' compensation claim is compensable is whether the injury "arose out of" and whether it occurred "in the course and scope of" the injured worker's employment. As the title of this post suggests, according to one Ohio court, employees can be in the … Continue reading Injured on the Way to Breakfast? According to This Court, You’ve Got Yourself a Workers’ Compensation Claim
Tag: Workers Compensation
Defend an Alleged Safety Violation Like You’re Playing LeBron James
In Ohio, injured workers can file what is known as an "Application for Additional Award for Violation of a Specific Safety Requirement" ("VSSR"). For an employer, an alleged Violation of a Specific Safety Requirement can be as intimidating as being a point guard, called up to the NBA, and immediately put into a game to … Continue reading Defend an Alleged Safety Violation Like You’re Playing LeBron James
You No Longer Just Should Run FMLA Leave Concurrently with Temporary Total Disability-Now You Have To
Or, should I say, according to the U.S. Department of Labor, if you don't you might find yourself in hot water. According to an opinion letter the Department of Labor issued last month, employers must designate FMLA eligible time as such, even if the employee would prefer to use sick leave or some other type … Continue reading You No Longer Just Should Run FMLA Leave Concurrently with Temporary Total Disability-Now You Have To
Can your Medical Release Form Cover Everything? Nope. Not According to the 10th Appellate District.
Injured workers are not required to sign an unrestricted medical release form to proceed with their workers' compensation claims, according to a case released last week. I should start this post with a qualification (as I so often do-it's the lawyer in me): this case dealt with an application for permanent total disability compensation. Your … Continue reading Can your Medical Release Form Cover Everything? Nope. Not According to the 10th Appellate District.
You Can’t Get Back on Temporary Total Disability By Mowing the Grass and Picking Up Trash in Your Yard, Says the Ohio Supreme Court
A case decided on April 9, 2019 by the Ohio Supreme Court dealt with an injured worker who retired; claimed that she re-entered the workforce by "working" on her farm; had surgery; and then requested temporary total disability ("TTD") compensation. Before we get into the specifics of the case, let's do a brief rundown of … Continue reading You Can’t Get Back on Temporary Total Disability By Mowing the Grass and Picking Up Trash in Your Yard, Says the Ohio Supreme Court
Suicide Levels for U.S. Workers are up 34 Percent. What Can Employers Do To Help?
This post was sparked by some recent news events, and a podcast I follow. Of course, given the title of this blog, I'll have to add my workers' compensation law spin on it at the end. You might think that workers' compensation coverage does not apply to suicides, but that is not always the case. … Continue reading Suicide Levels for U.S. Workers are up 34 Percent. What Can Employers Do To Help?
Your Zone of Employment Does NOT Begin in the Walkway to Quicken Loans Arena.
Even those of you who aren't basketball fans are probably aware that, even with Kevin Love's best efforts, the "post-Lebron" Cleveland Cavaliers have had a tough go of things this season. However, the Cavs got a win off the basketball court recently, and the case gives us a chance to review a concept in workers' … Continue reading Your Zone of Employment Does NOT Begin in the Walkway to Quicken Loans Arena.
Are the Industrial Commission’s Rule Changes for 2019 Exciting?
That short answer is no. Not even remotely. But I read them anyway, just in case. In order to spare you the pain, here are the highlights. As part of its regular rule review process, the Industrial Commission amended ten of its administrative rules, effective February 1, 2019. The ten rules that were amended covered: … Continue reading Are the Industrial Commission’s Rule Changes for 2019 Exciting?
How to Identify and Control Chronic Opioid Use in a Workers’ Compensation Claim
A new study by the Workers' Compensation Research Institute listed several factors that can identify which injured workers will receive opioid pain medication on a chronic basis. The study looked at a number of factors, including the worker's age and gender; the type and size of the employer involved in the claim; as well as the … Continue reading How to Identify and Control Chronic Opioid Use in a Workers’ Compensation Claim
Have You Considered Uber or Lyft as a Return to Work Option?
With our society's turn towards the "gig" economy, is it time to change the way we think about return to work options for injured workers? Ride sharing services such as Uber and Lyft provide flexible hours; are less physically demanding than many other positions; and may have fewer "start up costs" and barriers to entry … Continue reading Have You Considered Uber or Lyft as a Return to Work Option?
Employers Workers' Compensation Law Blog 