It is axiomatic that firefighting is a hazardous occupation. But should the more insidious risk of developing cancer be added to list of more obvious hazards faced? Building on previous research that seems to point in this direction, a recent study, Mortality and cancer incidence in a pooled cohort of US Firefighters from San Francisco, Chicago and Philadelphia (1950-2009) undertaken by Robert D. Daniels, Travis L Kubale, James H Yin et al and published online October 14, 2013 [doi:10.1136/oemed-2013-101662] by Occup Environ Med, concludes that there may indeed be a correlation between a firefighter's occupational exposure and an increased risk of certain cancers. In particular, the study suggests a link to malignant mesothelioma resulting from asbestos exposure. Read more.

Ohio: Abandonment of the Workplace, Rather than Psychological Injury, Was Cause of Claimant's Lack of Earnings. Where a claimant suffered a compensable back injury and medical evidence later indicated she had reached maximum medical improvement and where it also appeared that the claimant had not sought out employment after the MMI designation...read more.

South Carolina: Guaranty Association Ordered to Pay Penalties and Interests Where It Failed to Pay Claim in Timely Fashion. The Supreme Court of South Carolina held in relevant part that with regard to the handling of claims related to insolvent workers' compensation carriers, the "covered claim" limitation applies only in the context of claims deriving from insolvent carrier's policies...read more.

Arkansas: Claimant May Pursue Comp Benefits in Spite of Claim During EEOC Dispute That She Was Capable of Working. A divided Arkansas appellate court held that a former employer that paid $60,000 to a former employee to settle the latter's EEOC & ADA charges might be entitled to at least a partial credit under...read more.

North Carolina: Failure to Provide Welding Shields to Maintenance Worker Was Not Willful Violation of Safety Standard. A North Carolina appellate court affirmed a decision by the state's Industrial Commission denying an injured employee's claim for a ten percent compensation increase pursuant to...read more.