By John Stahl, Esq.

The topic of opioid abuse in workers' compensation largely focuses on the causes and costs of that abuse to the effectiveness of the state-level reforms that address what some experts identify as a "plague." Particularly alarming opioid-related statistics and the high cost of prescription drugs in Florida have prompted a strong legislative response in the Sunshine State. In Florida, the high cost of prescription drugs, and not so much what was being prescribed, is what drove legislation after the pill mill bill was passed in 2011 to address the increased costs impacting the Florida workers' compensation system. Read more.

Thomas A. Robinson, J.D., our Feature National Columnist, is a leading commentator and expert on the law of workers' compensation.

Mississippi: Divided Court Affirms Award of PTSD Benefits Related to Hurricane Katrina. An appellate court recently affirmed an award of PTSD benefits to an agent of the state's Bureau of Narcotics resulting from her duties on the Mississippi Gulf Coast in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Read more.

Maryland: Going and Coming Rule Does Not Bar Recovery in Motorcycle Accident. Travel that is incident to the employment cannot be excluded from the course and scope of the employment by the ordinary going and coming rule, held an appellate court. Read more.

California: Worker's Tort Action Utilizing "Power Press" Exception to Exclusivity Fails. An appellate court recently affirmed a trial court's summary judgment favoring an employer in an intentional tort action filed by an employee who sustained severe injuries while loading material onto a die in a power press. Read more.

Washington: Postmark Spells Doom for Employee's Notice of Appeal. In order for an aggrieved party to perfect an appeal of a Board decision, the party must serve a notice of appeal on both the Board and the Department within 30 days of the Board's decision and that time frame is mandatory. Read more.